Story by Joshua Dolgoff
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TRACK 1: They say that a dog is a man’s best friend… and that couldn’t be more true than when it comes to one’s rehabilitation process.
SOT 1 :09 “We wanted to be able to help our cancer patients and you know with their social and emotional concerns, and pet therapy is a huge player in that.”
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:11 Kevlin Swepston/Pets at Duke Coordinator
TRACK 2: The Pets at Duke Program began in 1992 in adult oncology with handler Sharon Pitz, who at the time thought that dogs could help facilitate a patient’s recovery.
SOT 2 :14 “They had had a lot of programs that were for patient entertainment or helping them to relax or what have you. And so the idea came up is ‘gee wouldn’t it be nice to have a dog be able to come in and see the patients?’”
:29 Sharon Pitz/Pets at Duke Handler
TRACK 3: According to Duke Health, research shows that pet therapy is an effective form of psychotherapy intervention… helping reduce stress, depression, and combat feelings of isolation.
And more than 30 years later, Pets at Duke Coordinator Kevlin Swepston has seen the connection between dogs and patients blossom at first hand.
SOT 3 :12 “Honestly I think it’s their undivided attention. They are able to get patients to open up, they’re able to get patients to just take it off their shoulders, and that’s what’s so special about a dog.”
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But rehabilitation and therapy dogs don’t just serve a purpose in the hospitals… they also do at the ball park… And if you’ve come to Boshamer stadium to see a game… you must be all too familiar with UNC’s favorite golden retriever.
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TRACK 4: Remington is UNC Sports Medicine’s rehabilitation facility dog, assisting with the treatments and emotional support for Tar Heel athletes. UNC Baseball’s Staff Athletic Trainer Terri Jo Rucinski explains how Remington helps players deal with rehabs and mitigate stress and anxiety.
SOT 4 :11 “They often do his commands with him. They play with him. If they’ve had a bad day, had exams, they’re stressed, they come in and they hang out with him. He just lightens up the room.”
1:44 Terri Jo Rucinski/UNC Baseball Staff Athletic Trainer
TRACK 5: And whether the players are dealing an injury or simply going through a bad stretch of games, Remington is always by their side.
SOT 5 :13 “He kind of just helps you take your mind off things. He’s always there for you, and you don’t have to really worry about anything else when you’re just petting a nice dog like him, cute dog. He just turns every bad day, every good day into a better one.”
2:02 Ryan Fischer/Graduate Pitcher
TRACK 6: Remington is the heart and soul for the UNC Baseball team, but after he won the 2024 Paws for People Dog of the Year, it’s clear that his impact is felt far beyond Chapel Hill.
SOT 6 :15 “It meant so much to me that he’s touched so many people’s lives, that it’s just, it’s incredible what he does.”
KICKER: I’m Joshua Dolgoff… reporting
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