Folsom El Dorado Hills, July 2018

People
Pets
and Their
who’s hypoallergenic so can be
around patients with fur allergies.
The four-year old pup has been
with Goossen since he was nine
weeks old, when she and Max
bonded especially well at one
of Goossen’s visits to Brasken
Labradoodles in San Luis Obispo.
Now, Max visits the patients each
day to make sure they feel loved
and supported. Greeting the
people who come through the
door is his
favorite thing
to do, but he
also loves to
hang out with
the patients
receiving treatment.
Wendy Goossen and Max
There’s just something about
seeing a large, mocha-colored
Labradoodle bounding down
a medical center hallway
that brightens up the whole
atmosphere. At Marshall Medical
Center in Placerville, Max raises
the spirits of each patient fighting
cancer when he comes to work
with his owner, Cancer Resource
Center Director Wendy Goossen.
For many patients, the treatment
they receive is part medication and
part love from the soft dog. “I love
that Max makes so many [patients]
smile. It really makes their day to
have someone to hug,” Goossen
says.
Thanks to initial funding from
Wells Fargo and supplemental
contributions from community
members, Marshall Medical
Center raised money for pet
therapy program. Once Goossen
was approved for a canine therapy
dog and realized the dog couldn’t
shed, she was led straight to Max,
Q&A
Favorite food: Anything
he can’t have
Favorite activity:
Chasing balls
Guilty pleasure:
Sneaking into the
neighbor’s yard
Hidden talent:
Swimming
Favorite local
landmark: Historic
Main Street in
Placerville
Favorite toy: A monkey
that he’s had since
puppyhood
On Max’s days off, he loves going hiking
and playing in the water. Goossen says, “It’s
so much fun to watch him [play] outdoors and
appreciate being in nature.”
Madison and Quinn
“Madison and Quinn are
the babies of the house!
They love treats and belly
rubs from their mom.”—
Tanya White
Maks with Kylee (human)
“We rescued Maks as a puppy,
and he’s absolutely the best dog!
He loves his family and going on
road trips to the ocean.”—Kari
McKinley
Lucy
“Lucy is an energetic two-yearold
who plays hard—running and
jumping high off the floor. She
loves fresh water with ice and
waits for it every evening by the
fridge.”— Kathleen Emami
Wendy Goossen and Max photos by Dante Fontana.
52 stylefedh.com // JULY 2018 // /stylefedh /stylemediagroup /stylemediagroup /stylemagfedh