Erica qualified as a therapy dog with My Canine Companion in the height of the pandemic last year and was assigned to our family to assist with my work in Home Instead Senior Care in North Cork. She always had a special bond with the elderly, her calm and sweet nature provides the perfect medicine to relieve loneliness, anxiety & brings a smile to everyone she meets.

As the pandemic worsened and restrictions increased, we worried she would lose out on her special training but all that came to good use when I tested positive for COVID-19 myself on the 2nd of January this year.

It was almost as if Erica knew I was sick before I did, she started to follow me around the house more, constantly keeping an eye on me at my bedside. When I tested positive and started to become extremely ill, she was such a help & quickly got the nickname Nurse Erica.

While isolating in my room away from my husband and children she would sneak in every morning, a gentle nudge of her nose on my cheek to check up on me. Would proceed to stand guard in the room & pop up for a quick cuddle when I was feeling down.

I developed pneumonia and my breathing worsened, walking & talking was a struggle. Walking up the stairs felt like climbing a mountain, Erica would stand behind me as I walked up, leaning into me almost anchoring me up the stairs, I felt so secure with her around. As I slowly improved over the course of six weeks, I started to get my energy back.

Determined to get back out to our usual hiking spots and woodland walks in our area Erica once again was right beside me, graduating from nurse Erica to my personal trainer. She would usually run freely up the mountain or woods around our home on our daily walks, but she seemed to know that I could not walk at the pace I used to before Covid. Again, she kept pace with me, always by my side, stopping whenever I needed a break.

Erica is a credit to her trainers at My Canine Companion and I cannot wait for her to get back to her therapy role providing love & smiles to the elderly in our community when restrictions are lifted.