Grizzly toys return to bring joy

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This article was published 17/05/2022 (1418 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Stuffed dopplegängers of Grizzly the therapy dog are returning to bring comfort to hospital patients.

The Saint Bernard is a beloved hospital visitor, but his tours were temporarily hindered as COVID-19 health measures came into effect during the pandemic, prompting owner Mark Saler to find another way of bringing joy to hospital patients and staff.

As part of his annual fundraiser and giveaway, Saler procured 4,800 plush toys in the likeness of the 150-pound gentle giant, which can be bought on behalf of a person staying or working in hospital.

This week and into next week, the toys are being gifted to patients and staff at hospitals across Manitoba. They will also be given away to anyone staying at Ronald McDonald House in Winnipeg.

They are available for purchase at seven Heritage Co-op locations — Minnesdosa, Brandon, Rivers, Strathclair, Erickson, Sandy Lake and Neepawa — to raise funds for more Grizzly gifts, Saler said.

This year’s edition is coming with a bonus: tags bearing a professionally done photograph of Grizzly posing with his toy doppelgängers so everyone knows they are authentic Grizzly toys.

It has been a challenge to raise the money needed to pay for the custom toys, Saler said, but knowing they bring comfort to those missing visits from Grizzly makes it worthwhile.

“They have become a much sought-after item,” he said. “Any money we make, 100 per cent will go back to buying more so the hospitals can continue doing this for the foreseeable future.”

Grizzly started his career as a registered therapy dog as an eight-week-old puppy. This is Saler’s fourth Saint Bernard, but the first he has put through therapy dog training, which started at home for his first year.

He proved to be a natural, passing all his tests with flying colours, Saler said.

“Just because I planned for him to be a therapy dog doesn’t mean it would’ve worked out that way,” he said. “He had the right demeanour from the start, and it all came together so well. He’s very good at reaching out to people he can sense are in need of some love.”

Now eight years old, Grizzly’s job is to visit hospitals, bringing with him joy and peace to patients and staff. While visiting sick children and cancer patients is the priority, Saler said Grizzly is happy to see anyone who needs some love. When he is at hospitals, he remains calm and mellow when meeting people. Saler described it as a mystique, where he can just walk up to people and instantly bring a smile.

The stuffed-toy initiative was meant to temporarily replace Grizzly’s in-person visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, Saler wanted to find a way to keep people connected to Grizzly because he was so well known and loved for the work he did.

“There were a lot of nurses and kids who were asking about him and wishing they could see him,” Saler said.

Fundraising was launched by the Minnedosa Lions Club in 2020, when they presented Grizzly with a medal of hope and Saler a $500 cheque for expenses incurred for travelling to hospitals.

He held onto it for the winter and came up with the idea of purchasing the stuffed Grizzly look-alikes. He reached out to various businesses, which he said were more than happy to contribute, raising an additional $2,000. Saler gave away 200 toys to hospitals in the first round, but planned on buying more once he had enough money.

Grizzly’s popularity has made him a celebrity, appearing on CBC and CTV as well as Facebook and Instagram. He’s also appeared on “Hockey Night in Canada,” during the Winnipeg Jets’ annual Hockey Fights Cancer event.

» kmckinley@brandonsun.com, with files from The Brandon Sun

» Twitter: @karenleighmcki1