Bernie has the best job in town! He achieves celebrity status wherever he goes and lightens the mood in every room he enters. As a 4-year old spaniel/terrier mix, Bernie works hard helping to spread joy and love to patients at local hospitals with his happy-go-lucky personality.

“He has never met a stranger,” says his handler and owner, Molly Mier. “Every time we go out on a visit it’s really rewarding. Bernie is so excited and happy about the reception he gets from patients of all ages.”

Whether patients play with him as he puts his paws on the side of their hospital bed or he cuddles up with them on the bed, one thing always happens: they smile and open up. For a moment they become distracted from their illness or injury. The patients end up talking about their own pets or want to learn more about Bernie.

Molly rescued Bernie in May 2014 and feels that his job is a perfect way for him to give back. She knew right away that he would be a great certified therapy dog. He began rigorous training and passed his courses with flying colors. “He has a really great skill set and was easy to train,” she says. “He loves everybody and loves to go and greet people.”

Bernie works at different hospitals around town including Kern Medical, Mercy Southwest, and a skilled nursing facility. He also helps children cope with loss at a Children’s Grief Support group and Heart Art Camp through Hoffmann Hospice.

“The children love it,” says Molly. “It’s a calming thing, especially because they’re there for a sad reason.”

“The children who attend our Children’s Grief Support Group on Thursday evenings love to have our therapy dogs come visit,” says Gretchen Daughtery, Director of Communication and Development at Hoffmann Hospice. “Dogs break down any and all barriers or emotions that people, especially children, may feel in a given situation. Basically, the playing field is leveled when our therapy dogs are present. It’s all about hugging the dogs and getting your face licked.”

Hoffmann Hospice also has its own pet therapy program called, “Hoffmann Hounds,” which is a one-of-a-kind animal assistance therapy program that uses dogs to reduce patient anxiety and provide great comfort and companionship. They have also found tremendous success incorporating their therapy dogs into its We Honor Veterans programs and services. “The connection between military patients and animals is indescribable,” says Daughtery.

Whether Bernie is at the hospital or with grieving children, he brings smiles not only to their faces, but to the staff, directors, families, and visitors, too. He also helps children and adults equally; whether it's a whimsical toddler or a burly, older man, they all respond positively to the pet therapy program.

“If you take one shift with a handler team, you will see the benefit before you. Patients that are reserved or quiet come alive. They become very engaged and talk about their pets and the pets they have at home. They just light up,” says Heidi Sparling, Hospital Services Volunteer Coordinator at Kern Medical. “You can see that they bring a moment of pleasure and distraction, and see the joy on the patient's face. People really, really connect with these animals.”

One of Bernie’s friends, Charlotte, is a beautiful white standard poodle, and she also works as a certified therapy dog. In fact, she was the first therapy dog that every worked the halls of Kern Medical. Charlotte’s owner and handler, June Garbell, began volunteering 15 years ago when she lived in Los Angeles and is happy to now work in Bakersfield. She wants to promote its benefits so there can be more therapy dogs locally. In fact, she’s planning on adding another therapy dog, Gideon, a golden doodle, to her rotation.

Patients react to Charlotte the same way they do to Bernie and the atmosphere of the room changes. “She brings smiles, smiles, smiles,” says June. “She brings such joy, and in turn, I feel such joy. I’ve had so much joy from doing this that I can’t even tell you. It’s just wonderful.”

In addition to helping patients at local hospitals, Charlotte visits a local kindergarten classroom every week to help kids learn how to read. The handler team goes to St. Francis Parish School every Thursday morning, where June tutors children and Charlotte provides the incentive and calming effect. “She motivates them,” says June. “Three of them didn’t even want to read, but with Charlotte, it motivates them to do the work because they get to pet her as they read to her.”

The therapeutic touch of an animal has been scientifically proven to have physiological benefits and actually produce “feel good” hormones like serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin. The volunteers at Marley’s Mutts realize this and through their therapy dog program, “Miracle Mutts,” began using animals to help children with literacy. Their program, Barks and Books/R.E.A.D. utilizes registered therapy animals, and allows kids to read to dogs and develop a better, lasting impression of having an enjoyable time while reading.

“Marley’s ‘Miracle Mutts’ kids love reading aloud to the dogs, who are non-judgmental, loving listeners and enjoy snuggling up with the kiddos,” says Kathryn Mackie, Tehachapi Lead Volunteer at Marley’s Mutts. “Parents love to see their kids enjoying reading, and the dogs love their jobs. So, it is truly a win-win situation.”

Barks and Books happens from 4 to 6 p.m. every second and fourth Monday at the Tehachapi Library, and 4 to 6 p.m. every second and fourth Wednesday at Beale Memorial Library. They also have Maggie, a black lab, visit Tompkins Elementary for an after-school program where children read to her.

To follow Bernie’s adventures, you can follow his Facebook page at “Bernie-Therapy dog.” For more information and to sign up for Barks and Books, visit www.marleysmutts.org. For more information about Hoffmann Hounds, visit www.hoffmannhospice.org.