April is National Volunteer Month A New “Leash” on Volunteering Thanks to Beloved Dog

April is National Volunteer Month

A New “Leash” on Volunteering

Thanks to Beloved Dog

Man’s best friend or dog’s best friend – no matter how you look at it – Ron Lindsey of Ashland and his goldendoddle Loki both know the joy of companionship. Now, they’re sharing that joy by volunteering with the UK King’s Daughters K-9 Care Team.

You might spot Loki with Ron and his wife Patsy in the waiting areas or various departments. Patients and visitors are delighted to see Loki, particularly when he and Ron are sporting matching holiday costumes. “I get a kick out of it,” Ron said with a smile.

Surprisingly, Ron went most of his life without a dog. After retiring from distinguished careers in education, the Lindseys finally had the time to properly care for a pet. In 2019, they found Loki, a 7-month-old rescue service dog whose family was looking to rehome him. Ron and Patsy consider it fate.  

Originally, Loki was the family pet. But, as Ron struggled with his balance and stability resulting from a stroke he suffered at age 67 in 2018, Loki took on a new role.

“I literally had to crawl or hold on to walls to walk,” Ron said. “I needed someone to hold on to so I wouldn’t fall over and hurt myself.”

Then, a friend suggested they train Loki to aid Ron. Loki had easily taken to obedience lessons with Nikki Cook at Impeccable Dog Training in Ashland, so they asked her if Loki could learn to assist Ron. The answer was a resounding yes!

“Loki was easier to train than Ron was,” Patsy said with a laugh. Soon the pair became inseparable. “He is so devoted to Ron. Loki loves us both, but Ron is his person.”

Loki was at his side when, ironically, at the stroke of midnight Jan. 1, 2024, Ron suffered a second mild TIA stroke. Physicians discovered a hole in Ron’s heart was causing blood clots which led to the strokes. Surgery followed to repair it. Within two months, Ron was recovered, feeling great, and back to his usual routine with Loki taking daily walks around Ashland’s Central Park. “The doctor said I should be good to go now,” Ron added.

As fate would have it, in May 2025, the Lindseys were walking Loki around the park and decided to stop at the open house at the new UK King’s Daughters Emergency Department. The first person they met was Amie Schwendeman, manager of Volunteer Services.

“I told her we wanted to see the new ER, but we also wanted to sign Loki up to be apet therapy dog,” Patsy said.

Schwendeman connected them with Renea Savage Brown, an experienced pet therapy volunteer, and her dog Lakota to start the certification process.

Typically, service dogs are instructed not to interact with the public while the opposite is true for pet therapy. Loki immediately took to it.

“Loki just loves being loved on,” Patsy said. “The way people react is my favorite part.”

Loki has been a big hit. His presence and unconditional love have helped patients in numerous ways. It’s been good for Loki as well. Ron noted that after a visit to King’s Daughters, Loki comes home satisfied and ready for a good nap.

“I think being a good pet therapy dog is 60 percent temperament and 40 percent training,” Ron said. “Loki just has the perfect personality for it.”

The Lindseys do too.

Considering volunteering? There are openings in several areas. Please note potential volunteers must complete an application and a background check, as well as receive medical clearance from a healthcare provider.

For more information, contactAmie Schwendeman, manager of Volunteer ServicesE-mail: amie.schwendeman@uky.eduCall: (606) 408-0959