UCLA People-Animal Connection
Melissa Klaskin Levy, M.S.W., '77
CANINE COMPANION: JOSHUA
BREED: GOLDEN RETRIEVER/SHEPHERD MIX
“I love being a PAC volunteer with Joshua. It’s fulfilling, I meet wonderful new people every time I visit, but most of all, I love to see the impact that Joshua makes on everyone he meets at the hospital.”
Two years ago, Melissa came across a helpless golden retriever/shepherd mix dog named Joshua at the South Central Los Angeles Animal Shelter. At first glance, Joshua was dirty, skinny and badly neglected. When Melissa adopted Joshua and took him to his forever home, she learned very quickly that he was sweet, calm, highly intelligent and badly in need of a job. The minute Melissa heard about the PAC Program at UCLA, she felt this would be a perfect volunteer opportunity, given they would be the perfect duo in helping alleviate some of the pain and suffering that goes along with illness and hospitalization. After six months of testing and training, Melissa and Joshua began visiting patients at the hospital and found themselves the center of attention, especially for Joshua since he became a canine celebrity himself with requests to be photographed. As a former medical social worker, Melissa understands that the hospital can be a highly stressful environment and believes that a friendly dog is the perfect “stress buster.” Weighing roughly 90 lbs., Joshua’s sweet personality not only brings uniqueness to the team, but is a comfort to patients and staff, bringing people to tears just by the sight of him. Joshua proudly wears his vest and badge every time he knows he is headed to work and knows that a wagging tail, a kiss and never-ending desire to be better is all it takes to brighten someone’s day.
Dr. Calman (Cal) Kurtzman, M.P.H., ‘73, Dr.M.P.H., ‘75
CANINE COMPANION: MI'JA
BREED: LABRADOR
“I would urge alumni and others with a love of dogs, a desire to be of service to the community and who have the time to pledge to those in need to consider participating in the UCLA/PAC program.”
As a health practitioner, Dr. Calman (Cal) Kurtman has always known that there are more factors than medicine needed to help a patient recover from an illness or accident. One of them is dog visitations. When Dr. Kurtman retired as a dentist in 2017 and was in search of helping the community, he started volunteering for the PAC program with his labrador Mi’Ja, a Spanish term for daughter. Every morning, Mi’Ja wakes up wagging her tail until the day ends, and when she gets in position to have her badge and PAC scarf put on, she focuses on her responsibilities and is all about work. At just three years old, Mi’Ja is bilingual, a handful of a playmate and offers unlimited love to the world, only asking for love to be returned. During finals week, Dr. Kurtman and Mi’Ja spend time in Powell Library with other PAC friends, where students take time away from their books to destress. Not only does Mi’Ja take note of nurses, physicians and auxiliaries who are under constant pressure at the hospital, but offers them a chance to relax and warm to her wagging tail and instant friendliness. She has more friends than you can count!
Rodger Thomason '82
CANINE COMPANION: LOGAN
BREED: GOLDEN RETRIEVER
“A very sad and difficult situation suddenly becomes manageable. I’ve learned just how impactful something as simple as the presence of a dog can be.”
When Rodger is having a bad day and can’t simply find peace of mind, his 10-year-old golden retriever Logan is always there to greet him with his everlasting smile. Big problems suddenly become small ones and what Rodger loves most about Logan is how connected they are. Their journey with the PAC program started eight years ago, when Rodger approached a guest speaker at an alumni function who was the director of the PAC program. Logan was one at the time and just past the puppy stage, full of energy and not well trained. After the guest speaker’s presentation, Rodger thanked him and soon found the conversation shift in a different direction, leaving with a business card in his hands to set up a meeting. When learning about the PAC Program via YouTube, Rodger spent the next several months training Logan. After four months of retesting, Rodger and Logan were finally a team. What Rodger loves most about the PAC program is being able to be part of a special program through PAC called NODA (No One Dies Alone), where teams offer comfort and support to end-of-life patients and their loved ones. What is most satisfying for Rodger and Logan is the gratitude shown by these individuals and the hospital staff for offering support during the most difficult times.
Deborah Lehman, M.D., '88
CANINE COMPANION: HAMILTON
BREED: GOLDEN DOODLE
“PAC volunteering has allowed me to experience the hospital, and hospitalized patients from a different perspective. After so many years as a physician, this role allows me to visit patients in a completely different capacity.”
Having worked in hospitals since medical school and as a pediatrician, Deborah has observed the power of animal visits and the calming effect a gentle and patient dog can have on a scared or apprehensive child in an unfamiliar setting. Last September, Deborah began volunteering for the PAC program and introduced her four-legged new best friend Hamilton. The day Hamilton walked into Deborah’s life at just 7 weeks old, it was clear that his calm temperament was perfectly suited for therapy. Currently a professor of pediatrics at the David Geffen School of Medicine, Deborah loves bringing Hamilton to work both to the hospital where he visits patients and staff and to the medical school where he lends distraction and joy to medical students to improve their well-being. Not only is Hamilton a great conversation starter, but even when there are no words shared, communication and understanding just happens. Seeing the calm, but playful demeanor Hamilton brings by sitting at the door can be a wonderful experience for the patient. As a hobby, Hamilton loves a good walk - whether it’s in the neighborhood or on a hiking trail. Several of his hike destinations have included Northern California, Ojai, Topanga and the Santa Monica Mountains.
Adam Goldworm '98
CANINE COMPANION: BOBDYLAN
BREED: MEREMMA SHEEPDOG
“At the worst times, dogs are all some people have. Watching ill patients disappear into a blissful trance with BobDylan on their bed is one of my highlights.”
After Adam’s father passed away, he realized how much he would have loved having his dog, BobDylan, with him in the hospital. When Adam found out about the PAC program after looking for other volunteer opportunities that allowed him and BobDylan to both participate in, it was a natural fit and a reminder that other people are always going through incredibly tough times. While working to heal the spirits of many and seeking constant attention, BobDylan’s loving personality and ever-growing handsome presence wins the hearts with those in need. When BobDylan plants a touch of happiness in the room filled with family members, he gives them something to focus on besides their medical situation. In other hospital rooms, there are patients where they have no one to talk to and BobDylan is the only unsolicited visit they receive all day or all week. Bringing BobDylan to UCLA is like taking him to the spa. Although he waits for tasty treats in between work hours and at the end of the day, the love that BobDylan shares with strangers brings out the best of them.
Laura Fay Berton-Botfeld '85
CANINE COMPANION: APOLLO
BREED: STANDARD POODLE
“Ever since my standard poodle Apollo woke a 10-year-old girl from a coma in her hospital bed, I have believed in the ability of dogs to connect with people in special ways.”
When Laura was hospitalized several years ago, a therapy dog came to visit her. A sense of home and comfort was brought to her attention during a frightening time in her life and seeing a tail of a golden retriever walk by her hospital doorway made her fears disappear instantly. Because of her love of dogs, Laura was inspired to learn how to become a therapy dog team with her own dog once she recovered and wanted to help others in the same way she’s been helped. After learning about the PAC program, she felt a special connection to volunteering with the UCLA community, so she learned how to become part of the PAC program and visited all units of the hospital with Apollo every other Tuesday since 2006. Laura has learned that dogs really can help people heal. When people are able to touch a dog at the hospital, they feel the love which helps them get through their stressful situation. Never in a million years could Laura have predicted to return back to campus as a dog volunteer. The program has allowed Laura to meet all kinds of people and open her eyes to the value that dogs can bring to people in stressful situations.
Judy Bin-Nun '66
CANINE COMPANION: SHEPZEL AND MAZEL
BREED: BRUSSELS GRIFFON (SMOOTH)
“My PAC dogs inspire me and everyone we work with to connect with patients. They bring the ‘outside inside’ for the patients and can change moods from depression to hopeful smiles.”
For nearly two decades, Judy has seen miracles come to life. Throughout her weekly visits, good feelings have always traveled through the magical leash thanks to her five Brussels Griffons, a 12 year-old retiree at home and now her two current PAC dogs, Shepzel and Mazel. Not only is Judy a proud volunteer, but loves how Shepzel and Mazel know intuitively what to do to help hospitalized patients. Their loving, smart and clever nature blossoms the minute they meet new humans. When Mazel enters the hospital, she transforms into a quiet, comforting lady who stays calm and focused on the clock. The minute she arrives home, she transforms into a funny, feisty and playful lady. As for Shepzel, he speaks four words in English, plays a little drum on command and creates unique games with his preferred tennis ball. When Shepzel joined the PAC program, his adorable personality has continued to form deep connections that touch each patient’s heart, bringing smiles to the surface and offering endless love. One day, Shepzel visited a patient and his two sisters were in the room. A great deal of comfort rose to the surface and impacted that patient’s life. Judy and Shepzel ran into the patient’s two sisters on a cold day. One of the sisters was effusive about the impact that Shepzel made on Paul’s life and shared that they were the last people he saw before he passed. The sisters were grateful for their presence and felt it was another miracle having run into each other given they had just left their brother’s funeral that cold day. It’s moments like these that Judy is grateful to have brought such comfort and peace to a family going through this experience.