PET THERAPY PROGRAM PERKS UP PATIENTS AT SIMI HOSPITAL.

Byline: Alicia Doyle Daily News Staff Writer

With a smile on her face and tears in her eyes, 79-year-old Gertrude Kanner recalled how she could always count on her cat, Arelia, when things got tough.

``She was always there for me. She was my friend,'' said Kanner, who had the Turkish cat for 10 years as a teen and through college. ``I really miss her.''

Kanner was among a group of patients at Simi Valley Hospital who reminisced about their favorite pets Monday during a pet therapy program for those in the Transitional Care Unit.

Offered several times a year, pet therapy also features good-tempered animals from parrots to dogs that are brought to the hospital for patients to pet and hold.

First introduced in the early 1970s, pet therapy has become a useful part of hospital recreation therapy programs, said Debra Lee, recreation therapist at Simi Valley Hospital. Because patients in the Transitional Care Unit have various physical limitations, interacting with an animal helps them become more alert, responsive and communicative, Lee said.

``Many of us have had pets in our lives, and this helps them reminisce about joyful past experiences,'' Lee said. ``(Pet therapy) encourages them to interact, and look beyond their own problems.''

During Monday's program, the patients shared stories about pet fish, dogs, cats and birds no longer with them or that remain at home.

Ann Brosius, 86, boasted about her pet Chihuahua, Muffin. George Ragsdale, 81, told tales about his dog, Lassie. Ross Oberlin, 76, had trouble fighting back tears while remembering the fun times he had with his cattle dog while growing up.

``He was very smart,'' Oberlin said. ``He was my favorite.''

Following the patients' stories was a visit from two miniature collies, Daisy and Bromo.

Billie Pass, who has brought her collies to the hospital for the past four years, said it's the animals' docile nature and unconditional love that brings out the patients' smiles and joyful tears.

``Pets give people so much joy,'' Pass said. ``Life wouldn't be half as good without them.''

Because many patients are hospitalized for an extended length of time, they miss the companionship of their own pets, said Suzanne Gagnon, recreational therapist.

``Pet therapy can contribute to the fast recovery process of some patients,'' she said.

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2 Photos

Photo: (1--ran in SIMI and CONEJO--color in SIMI) Morris Brandes pats Daisy on the head during the pet therapy program at Simi Hospital.

(2--ran in SIMI and CONEJO) Bromo, left, and Daisy, miniature collies, were the center of attention.

Andy Holzman/Special to the Daily News