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Community Corner

Run Over by Garbage Truck 10 Years Ago, Dogs Came to a Man's Rescue

The therapy program at PAWS Animal Shelter in Tinley Park has been overhauled during the past few years, all because the man at the helm wants to pay it forward.

Former firefighter John Greenan never could have predicted that a garbage truck would change his life forever.

But when he was run over by one in Joliet more than a decade ago, everything he once planned for himself, his career and his future shifted. He spent a solid year in the hospital—during which he was Life Flighted twice—and underwent a full shoulder replacement. He was then diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and lupus.

"After being in and out of the hospital for so long and not being able to work ever again, you get a little depressed," the 40-year-old said Tuesday. "I had lost a lot of confidence."

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It wasn't until Greenan began spending time with therapy dogs in his hospital room that he regained what he had lost. And now, he's paying it forward. Since 2008, he has focused on revamping the pet therapy program at .

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The program has gone from having three annual contracts with Southland support groups to 14-11 nursing homes, two autism centers and one center for cerebral palsy. Dedicated PAWS volunteers lend a hand at least once a week bringing adoptable, temperament-tested furry friends to the centers and each facility gets four visits a year.

Cats Tangia, Jersey Girl and Matilda joined 1-year-old pit bull, Jade, Tuesday at Tinley's , where they snuggled up to clients who have autism. SCS is a nonprofit human services agency that treats adults and young children who have developmental disabilities or delays.

"A lot of the people we service don't have a pet because they live in a group home or assisted living center," said Lynn Zona, SCS program services director. "This is the only opportunity they have to hold and pet an animal. To me, it's just really heartwarming."

Therapist Emily Lusk, who is a qualified mental health professional at SCS, says pet therapy's benefits extend beyond just simple happiness.

"Sometimes, for those with chronic mental illness … it can be difficult to relate to other people," she said. "Many of them really connect with these animals and when they hold them, you see a different side of who they are."

Working with the pets helps build trust, create a sense of responsibility, increase social interaction and provide an alternate treatment route when other forms of therapy fail, Lusk said.

PAWS volunteer Ryan Esquivel, 25, said he's seen interactions with pets stimulate patients' memories. At one nursing home, a woman who was catatonic said "dog" when she saw the animals for a third time, Greenan said.

"She hadn't spoke a word for about three years," he said. "It's uplifting for me to be making this kind of difference when I know what it's like to feel so isolated."

In about one year, Greenan's own boston terrier, Austin, will become PAWS first fully certified therapy dog. The move—one that is quite uncommon for a shelter, he said—will open the nonprofit up to an array of state and federal grants, while also allowing them to arrange pet therapy visits with area hospitals.

"This is as much therapy for myself as it is for other people," Greenan said. "The more we can open it up to, the better off the people, PAWS and our shelter animals will be."

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