Northern Ontario nurses help dying patient spend final days with his cat

There is a special bond between a pet and its owner. 

A group of nurses from the North Bay Regional Health Centre recently recognized that. 

A patient named Larry was in the Palliative Care Unit at the North Bay hospital under the care of registered nurses Linda Michaud, Rachel Winstanley, and registered practical nurses Marsha Belanger, Carol Brouse, and Erika Jodouin.  

Larry's family was thrilled at how the staff showed such care, understanding, kindness and compassion. 

That included the staff recognizing the special bond between Larry and his pet cat.  

"The staff involved in his care went above and beyond to ensure that his final days were the best they could be," the family said. 

"My brother’s cat Hugo was the most important thing in his life, and we were so grateful to be given special permission to bring him for a visit with Larry. After a few visits, his nurses set out to see that his final wish to have his cat stay with him was granted."

The family was so touched by this, that they reached out to the Hospital Foundation and Golden Heart Awards were handed out because of that special care. 

"Special thanks to Marsha Belanger for recognizing how much Larry’s dying wish would impact his final days and for taking the initiative to see that the application to grant his wish was submitted," said the family. 

"Special thanks to Linda Michaud, who ensured that Larry had everything he needed to make his wish as good as it could be. Special thanks to Rachel Winstanley, Carol Brouse, and Erika Jodouin, who were always on hand to support and comfort both Larry and his family. They were always available to answer questions, explain things, or just to listen."

The family says it took a team of people working together to make his final wish possible and for his last days to be comfortable and pleasant.

"They are truly a remarkable group, and the hospital should be very proud to have such a competent and caring team that understands their patient’s needs and are willing to go the extra mile," the family continued. 

"Granting Larry’s wish brought him peace and comfort and gave him a new will to live, which meant his family had more time to spend with him."

These exceptional staff went above and beyond for a patient at the North Bay Regional Health Centre, inspiring a Grateful Family donation to the Foundation.

The Golden Heart Award is given through the Grateful Family donation where a staff member, physician, volunteer or department is recognized by a patient or a patient's family. 

Those honoured through the donation are recognized at staff meetings through the hospital's social media and are awarded a golden heart badge for their name tag.