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Dog handler brings encouragement to patients

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By DEREK MAUL

Tribune correspondent

Published: November 4, 2009

William Sipe moved to Tampa from New Hampshire in September 2008. In May, after scoping out the Bay area with his wife, Carol, the couple settled on a home in Valrico.

The why behind the move was simple: "SNOW," Sipe spelled out. "We really like the weather here. I'm a little warm, but I don't care. It's not snow, and we've never had a pool before."

Born in 1959 and raised in Manchester, N.H., Sipe lived in the chilly Northeast his entire life.

"I used to be a commercial lender, but since we moved to Florida I've been volunteering at Moffitt (cancer center). I immediately got the impression Moffitt has its act together, so I've been doing whatever I could."
Sipe started at the service desk.

"I'm pretty much an errand runner," he said. "I walk six to eight miles on Thursdays, which is good for me."

This fall, he started bringing his golden retriever, Ripley, who serves as a "visiting dog" once a week.

"It's a matter of doing what I can, while I can," he explained.

"Ripley's a little bit spazzy, but she's such a friendly dog and always on her best behavior."

Ripley holds court in the main lobby with about five other civic-minded canines every Wednesday about lunch. The experience is positive for patients, staff and family alike, Sipe said.

"Once in a while something really good happens," he said. "Some people get really cheered up.

"One day a mother came in with a teenage girl, and my impression was, 'This is a tough story.' For some reason Ripley went to the mother and made a friend. I sat down by the girl, and I could tell Ripley made her day. and it was pretty important.

"Another day I took my lunch on a park bench, and I sat down and talked with a guy whose wife is not doing well. Some people just don't have anyone to talk to."

Ripley was cleared for the Visiting Dog program through the Moffitt Volunteer Services Department, where Sipe presented documentation from the veterinarian's office and a Canine Good Citizen certificate from the American Kennel Club.

Patient Brandyn Nutter of Vero Beach said visiting with the dogs is always a great experience. He is living at Moffitt's Hope Lodge until he moves to Tampa permanently to continue his treatment.

Julie Conklin of Ocala describes herself as a 10-year survivor. She was upbeat when talking about making friends with Ripley, who knew how to respond when given the opportunity to make another friend.
Sipe said he feels privileged to be a part of something so encouraging.

"I'm not real experienced, but the most important thing you can do as a volunteer is just to be there and to listen. I'd say if your dog is trained well enough to do it - it feels pretty good," he said. "There's a real need. And Moffitt is pretty amazing - people's attitudes are not what I expected. It's a happy place, and there's a lot of hope here."

For information about the Visiting Dog program, call (813) 745-1661 or visit www.projectpup.org.

WILLIAM SIPE
BORN: Manchester, N.H., 1959

EDUCATION: Kent State University, Ohio, 1985; Southern New Hampshire University, master's, 1993

MOVED TO AREA: May

QUOTABLE: "Doing what I can while I can."

Derek Maul can be reached at derekmaul@gmail.com.

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