After escaping Antrim County Animal Control twice to sneak into a Bellaire nursing home, the staff decided to take a chance on Scout. Now, he’s a full-time resident who’s fetched the nation’s heart.
This article first appeared in Traverse Northern Michigan. Find this story and more when you explore our magazine library. Want Traverse delivered to your door or inbox monthly? View our print subscription and digital subscription options.
Photo by Dave Weidner
Among the two-legged residents at Bellaire’s Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility, a grey-snouted, four-legged friend is often seen patrolling the halls, asking for treats and doling out comfort and cheer to his fellow residents. The dog, a black-and-tan mutt named Scout, has been the recent star of national media attention, with features by The Washington Post, National Public Radio, Inside Edition, NewsNation, Animalkind by USA Today, Detroit Free Press and our friends at 9&10 News over the past few months.
Photo by Dave Weidner
Photo by Dave Weidner
The story begins in 2017 when a night-shift nurse discovered an unknown pooch curled up on a lobby couch. “He had made his way through our automatic doors,” explains Clinical Care Coordinator Stephanie Elsey.
Not knowing where the dog had come from, the nurse called animal control and they came to pick him up.
The dog, as the staff soon found out, had—miraculously— managed to escape from the nearby Antrim County Animal Control: a feat that required scaling two fences, one of which is a staggering 10 feet tall, and navigating a major highway.
Once back at animal control, the pup didn’t give up. He climbed out and snuck back into Meadow Brook two more times in less than a week. “He obviously felt like he needed to be here,” Elsey says. “So, at that point, we decided to give him a try.”
Photo by Dave Weidner
Since then, Scout has become a well-loved fixture at Meadow Brook’s facilities, acting both as default guard dog and a source of joy for staff and residents. “He just fits in here,” Elsey says.
Scout’s day starts in the Glacier Hill Unit, where his bed and an assortment of toys occupy a portion of Household Coordinator and Dietary Manager Jenny Martinek’s office. From there, she says, he makes his “rounds,” visiting residents while she’s out on the floor. “He knows who keeps treats for him,” she laughs (he’s especially partial to Ritz Crackers). All the while, Scout keeps an eye on the entrance and announces new faces with a bark. “He has to let everyone know that he’s here, and he’s doing his job,” Martinek says.
Photo by Dave Weidner
Photo by Dave Weidner
Throughout the day, Scout also makes appearances in the facility’s six other household units, which he visits with the nurses on shift, as well as the outdoor courtyards, dining hall and scheduled group activities. He’s even learned how to open doors, a skill he’ll sometimes use at night to greet sleeping seniors with a moist nose to the face.
Like a furry nurse, Scout seems to prioritize his attention based on the changing needs of “his people.” The comforting pup offers extra support (in the form of cuddles and gentle woofs), both for residents at the end of life as well as those they leave behind. “He’s very intuitive,” Elsey says. “If someone is feeling down or unwell, he’ll go and curl up with them.”
Both staff and residents agree, Scout makes the place feel more like home. “He’s full of love and brings a sense of comfort and security,” Martinek says. “Scout always brightens a room.”
Photo by Dave Weidner