MVH posts memorial for popular therapy dog

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

A four-legged friend will forever be memorialized at Monongahela Valley Hospital. 

Benji the therapy dog was a welcomed guest at the hospital, along with area nursing homes and schools throughout his career as a comforter. 

When his owners, Diane and Russell Peck, brought home Benji, a yellow Labrador retriever and his “pug brothers” Kevin and Kobi, they never imagined the impact he would have on his community. 

He made the first of many stops to brighten the days of whomever crossed his path on Halloween 2014 at the Residence at Hilltop in Monongahela.

Four other test visits followed before he passed the Therapy Dog International test Nov. 25, 2014.  He made his first official visit Jan. 2, 2015.

Before he was a professional, Benji knew he had a job to do.

Russell said Benji was an active puppy, so he was enrolled in obedience training. 

Shortly after that, he went to school to become a therapy dog.

“My wife never thought he could do it,” Russell said. “He was hyper, a little anxious. He needed something to do.”

Russell and his wife bought Benji as a puppy on a trip across the state to pick-up one of his brothers.

“We drove there to pick up a pug, and there were only two left so we could not leave one,” Russell said. “On our way there, I saw Benji and I knew I wanted him. I told my wife, almost as a joke, but she said OK. We went for one puppy and came home with three.”

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