THE D.O.E.R. PROJECT
DOG OWNERSHIP ENHANCING RECOVERY
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The Taunton Gazette
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The D.O.E.R. Project Dog Ownership Enhancing Recovery
Dr. Michael Hamrock, a Steward Medical Group primary care physician in Massachusetts, has been treating patients with addiction for over two decades. One of the first doctors in the state certified to prescribe Suboxone, which can help treat opioid addiction, he has long been at the forefront of innovative treatments.
Now, he’s testing a new treatment: dogs.
The idea for this innovative pilot program — titled Dog Ownership Enhancing Recovery, or DOER — came to Dr. Hamrock from tracking what sets patients who maintain their recovery apart.
“I noticed a common theme over the last 20 years — most of my patients who seem to maintain recovery, a lot of them have pet dogs,” he said. “It seems the dogs become a real stability factor in their lives. Having a pet helps them face some responsibility, accountability, and sense of purpose, which are critical to maintaining your recovery.”
Power Forward’s goal for DOER is to place trained service dogs into MASH approved sober homes. Then, Dr. Mike and his team will track the residents progress toward maintaining sobriety and compare their outcomes to dog free sober home residents.
For the training and pets, Dr. Hamrock turned to another Steward health care professional: Pauline Hoegler, RN, BSN, CPDT — a cath lab nurse at Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, MA, and a certified dog trainer who runs Golden Opportunities For Independence (GOFI), a non-profit that trains service animals for people with disabilities. The program will also be supported by Power Forward, a non-profit that works to end the stigma of addiction and champion those in recovery, which counts Dr. Hamrock as a board member.
While the program — the first-of-its-kind in the country — is in its infancy, Dr. Hamrock is excited about the possibilities.
“Addiction is a tricky disease and we need to do more for people suffering from addiction beyond medication and counseling. Pet ownership could be an additional tool that we can use,” Dr. Hamrock told us. “We hope this takes off as an additional treatment for this really complicated brain disease.”
-Steward Medical Group
Dr. Michael Hamrock and Sawyer, the first DOER Recovery Dog
Pauline Hoegler, Dr Michael Hamrock, and Kev.
Sawyer, our very good boy.
Sawyer meeting the residents of Barracks 22, for the first time.
Programs like this only exist thanks to the generous support of people like you.
Sawyer visits Patriots training camp!