Paws For Concern – Meet Beau The Therapy Dog

Beau the therapy dog is enjoys visiting with everyone at the new Pepper Family Hospice Home and Center for Care. As a certified therapy canine, Beau is one of the official hospice home hounds. The black lab is owned by Barrington resident Mary Jo Schauer, who lives within walking distance of the new facility, and is a trained hospice volunteer.

“We’re happy to do whatever we can,” says Schauer, who has watched the construction progress during walks with Beau.

“We never know what to expect when we come to visit,” she added. “Both patients and staff enjoy seeing him.”

Schauer recalls one special visit when she asked the family if Beau could come in the room to say hello. “They just stared for a few moments as if they were shocked to see a dog. I almost turned and left, when the patient’s son invited us in. It turns out their dad was named Beau, and they felt as if it was a sign from him to his wife that it was ok to go. She passed away a few moments after the visit. If I needed any affirmation about doing this, that was it.”