Hospice Austin has lost a very good friend.
Quincy, the beloved therapy dog who visited Hospice Austin’s Christopher House every Friday, passed away after an illness. A memorial service to celebrate his life and his service to our patients, family and staff, was held this morning in the garden at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House.
Quincy’s owner, RoseAnn Skrovan, adopted Quincy and his twin sister at the same time. It didn’t take her long, however, to recognize his special gift. She had him trained through Therapy Pet Pals of Texas.
Quincy volunteered very week at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House for four years. RoseAnn said he thought he owned the place. He would even get a little jealous if there was another dog on the premises.
If Quincy loved Hospice Austin’s Christopher House, the feeling was mutual. He helped the staff and volunteers as well as patients and families. RN Leona Brauer said that sometimes, when she was sad about a patient dying, Quincy would give her the energy to keep going. In fact, he was so popular with the staff that RoseAnn had to make a rule that no one could give him a treat until after he finished his rounds.
Once, there was a five-year-old crying in the parking lot, refusing to come in and see her grandfather, with whom she was very close. Quincy made friends with her; she clung to his back as they came inside. When they reached her grandfather’s room, she sat on the floor, still crying, and wouldn’t approach the bed. Quincy laid down behind her and encircled her with his paws. She leaned against him for 20 minutes. When he eventually stood up and walked to the bed, she came with him. Then she climbed up onto the bed and kissed her grandpa.
“Quincy opened the door when none of the rest of us could,” said social worker Dede Sparks. “He knew when that little girl was ready.”
He opened the door for a lot of people. He would sometimes go to bereavement counseling sessions; he even went to Camp Brave Heart. With his gentle spirit, Quincy wasn’t just a welcome distraction; he was an outlet for pain and fear and grief.
One time Quincy entered a room where a patient had just died. The patient’s son hugged him for a long time and cried into his fur. He finally raised his head and said, “You’re making it easier for me to breathe right now.”
Thank you, RoseAnn, for sharing Quincy with us. And thank you, Quincy, for making it easier for everyone to breathe.
Melinda Marble
Communications Coordinator
It was an honor and a privilege to be by Quincys side as he comforted families at Christopher House. He was truly an angel on a leash. The world is a better place because he was here. And there are many who were blessed to have loved him and blessed to have been loved by him. Words fail both Pat and I. The remembrance given with so much love by all of the wonderful people at Christopher House overwhelmed us. The beauty in the details were unforgettable. Thank you Cathy for hosting a lovely reception for all the friends who came to say goodbye to him. The brick and its location are so special, as we spent a lot of time visiting families by the fountain. Thank you Melissa for your beautiful words. It was heart warming to know you put so much thought into what you said. We loved the All Creatures Great and Small reading as if it was an echo. Many thanks to Connie and Kate for the time you took to learn the music that brought tears to our eyes as we remembered singing lullabies to him as a puppy. “In My Life” says it all. I can’t thank you all enough for recognizing his sweet spirit. I will miss seeing you all on Fridays. Thank you Wendy for making the last five years with Quincy amazing. Love RoseAnn
Please continue to visit us at Hospice Austin’s Christopher House. We love you, RoseAnn!