Edmond Couple, Therapy Dog Bring Comfort At Integris Health

An Edmond couple offers people a break from stress. They’ll tell you it has nothing to do with them and everything to do with Emme, their therapy dog.   

Anyone who has spent time inside a hospital understands the fear of the unknown. 

“Most people are not there by choice,” said Noreen Lyman. “You’re there because you’re sick.”  

At Integris Health, Noreen and Craig Lyman do what they can to take people’s worries away.   

“It relieves their stress level,” Lyman said. 

The best medicine at times has nothing to do with medication. 

“We’re just transportation though,” Lyman said. “She does all the heavy lifting. It’s unbelievable. I could tell you stories of things I’ve witnessed that have been just jaw-dropping.”  

“Hey, who doesn’t wanna get down on the floor and get a hug from the dog?” Craig Lyman said.  

Emme is an 8-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog with a heart at its highest peak.  

“We went through four levels of training with her,” Lyman said. 

Emme doesn’t judge, she offers her love when she knows someone needs it. 

“The second we put the vest on her, she knows she’s working,” Lyman said. “They know how to pick out the person in the room that needs them the most.”  

Emme also visits local colleges.  

“Kids are away from home,” he said. “Kids are lonely.”  

Emme makes them feel included.   

“I’ve seen kids break down and cry with her,” Lyman said. 

Noreen remembers a woman Emme helped throughout her entire chemotherapy.  

“There when she rang the bell when her cancer was cured,” Lyman said. 

When a person needs a friend who understands their worry, Emme reminds them they are not alone.  

“Such a positive impact that they’ve had on so many lives over the years,” Lyman said.