A patient was admitted to our intensive care unit just before midnight. The patient had been diagnosed with liver cancer that had metastasized to other organs and required treatment in the ICU for complications. It was evident by the next morning that the patient's prognosis was poor.
Kat Flater, RN was assigned to be the patient's bedside nurse during the day following the admission. Upon her first interaction with the patient, he expressed his concern for his 7 month old dog named June that was at his house. You see, he lived in a neighboring town with a roommate who was elderly and the patient was worried for the welfare of his dog. In addition to caring for her two critical patients, Kat sprang into action to make sure the patient's dog was taken care of. Kat phoned the Police Department to inquire if a welfare check could be done on a dog. They agreed to visit the home and check on the welfare of the dog and within the hour they called to inform Kat that the dog was currently safe.
As the morning progressed, the patient's condition worsened, and he expressed wishes to forgo further medical treatment and be placed on hospice so that he could pass away at home. Unfortunately, due to his living situation the patient was not able to be discharged safely with hospice care; it was then that the patient and Kat knew he would not be going home. The patient again expressed to Kat know that his only request was that someone would make sure his dog was cared for because his roommate would not be able to. Kat promised the patient that she would make sure his dog was safe. That same day the patient deteriorated to the point that he fell into a coma and passed away peacefully in the early hours.
When Kat came to work the next day, she remembered the promise she made to her dying patient. She worked tirelessly with her coworkers to see if anyone knew someone who was interested in adopting a dog. Toward the end of Kat's shift, there were no leads on anyone that wanted the 7-month-old dog. Kat then made the decision to get in touch with the patient's roommate who was the only contact the patient had provided.
After her shift, Kat went to the patient's house with a coworker and was able to take over ownership of the dog and fulfill her patient's dying wish. Kat took the dog home with her to provide a temporary home for her until they found June her forever family. It did not take long for Kat's story to spread and the very next day she got a call about a family who was interested in adopting June. Kat drove the dog to Lemoore to meet her new family and the connection was immediate. June was adopted by the family and now June is spending her days running on 10 acres with two other dogs.
Kat's dedication to patients and the care she provides for them was unmistakable by this act of kindness and generosity. Kat was able to fulfill her dying patient's only last wish; to find his dog a new home.