Rachel Norton
May 2023
Rachel
Norton
,
RN
Trauma Department
Chippenham Hospital
Richmond
,
VA
United States
Already a dog lover, Rachel offered to keep the dog as long as he promised to finish treatment.
We had a trauma alpha patient come with his emotional support dog after both were struck by a car while walking down the road. It was very obvious from the start how close of a bond Nibbles has with her owner. After the patient was cleared from the trauma service, it was determined that he needed inpatient detox treatment from alcohol. Already a dog lover, Rachel offered to keep the dog as long as he promised to finish treatment. The patient gladly accepted her offer. She then took the dog to the vet as we noticed she was limping and she couldn’t jump onto the bed. She then took the dog home for some much-needed rest and TLC and a good bath.
After a week or so of inpatient treatment, the patient was discharged and is now staying at a halfway house until he can get on his feet again. Rachel continues to care for the dog and brings her to visit with her owner. She has gone above and beyond for the patient and the dog. Allowing him to detox from alcohol and receive psych help without additional stress from caring for his beloved dog. This is a true example of “caring like family.” The trauma team and TNL’s are very thankful for her expertise and continued compassion for her team and patients.
***
Rachel first met her patient when he arrived as an alpha alert. he was a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle @ 25mph just prior to arrival. He arrives lying on his side with his service dog. It was later determined that the trauma workup was negative. After much conversation with the ER physician, the patient agreed to admission for alcohol detox.
At this time, Rachel offered to foster his service dog while the patient was receiving care. She was able to provide a loving and warm atmosphere for the dog. She also took the dog to a vet, because she was also clipped by a car. The patient agreed to allow Rachel to give his best friend a safe haven. The patient did eventually leave AMA. He was able to reach out to Rachel and have the dog returned. The patient returned to the ER, requesting assistance for detox from alcohol and methamphetamines. He also reached out to Rachel about the possibility of taking care of the dog again. She stepped up and without hesitancy took the dog back into her home.
After a week or so of inpatient treatment, the patient was discharged and is now staying at a halfway house until he can get on his feet again. Rachel continues to care for the dog and brings her to visit with her owner. She has gone above and beyond for the patient and the dog. Allowing him to detox from alcohol and receive psych help without additional stress from caring for his beloved dog. This is a true example of “caring like family.” The trauma team and TNL’s are very thankful for her expertise and continued compassion for her team and patients.
***
Rachel first met her patient when he arrived as an alpha alert. he was a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle @ 25mph just prior to arrival. He arrives lying on his side with his service dog. It was later determined that the trauma workup was negative. After much conversation with the ER physician, the patient agreed to admission for alcohol detox.
At this time, Rachel offered to foster his service dog while the patient was receiving care. She was able to provide a loving and warm atmosphere for the dog. She also took the dog to a vet, because she was also clipped by a car. The patient agreed to allow Rachel to give his best friend a safe haven. The patient did eventually leave AMA. He was able to reach out to Rachel and have the dog returned. The patient returned to the ER, requesting assistance for detox from alcohol and methamphetamines. He also reached out to Rachel about the possibility of taking care of the dog again. She stepped up and without hesitancy took the dog back into her home.