Fred never expected to adopt another dog so soon. After losing his beloved pup, he thought his heart needed time to heal. But just two days later, during a casual chat at the gym, someone mentioned a young pit bull recovering from surgery who desperately needed a home.
"There's something special about this dog," the man said, showing Fred a photo.
That dog was Paka (pronounced PAH-kuh)—a blue-nosed pit bull who had been abandoned, dismissed as "useless," and overlooked time and again. But when Fred arrived to meet him, Paka made the first move. He slipped from his handler's grasp and ran straight into Fred's arms—as if he already knew he was home.
A Second Chance at Life
Paka was born with severe hip dysplasia. Veterinarians didn't expect him to live long—maybe five years at most. But Fred wasn't about to give up on him. He created a dedicated care routine: daily backyard pool therapy, massages, nourishing food, and an abundance of love.
Nine years later, Paka is not only surviving—he's thriving. And he's using his second chance to give back in a truly remarkable way: as a therapy dog offering comfort to hospice patients and families in their most vulnerable moments.
The Power of Pet Therapy at Empath Tidewell Hospice
Fred began volunteering with Empath Tidewell Hospice in 2006 after the loss of his wife. Volunteering gave him purpose and a meaningful way to stay connected. When Paka joined him years later, their bond—and their impact—deepened.
Fred jokes that he's just the Uber driver. "Paka's the real star," he says. And it's true. Whether they're visiting care centers in Port Charlotte or stopping by rehabilitation facilities, it's Paka who steals the show.
Paka has an extraordinary way of reading the room. He might rest his head on a patient's lap, gently snuggle a grieving child, or sit quietly next to someone who simply needs company. His presence offers peace, even when words fall short.
Moments That Matter
In dementia care units, the most powerful moments often come in silence. "You walk into a room and someone might seem distant or disconnected," Fred explains. "Then they see Paka and their face lights up. They'll say, 'Hi, dog,' and maybe forget it five minutes later—but that moment changed their whole day."
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when visitors were restricted, Fred lifted Paka up to facility windows just so residents could see him. One of the most moving experiences was visiting a young father in hospice. His children were overwhelmed with emotion—until Paka walked in. His quiet presence brought calm, comfort, and connection to the entire room.
A Legacy of Love and Healing
"He's a gift," Fred says. "It's not how much time you have in life. It's what you do with the time you have. And Paka—he's done a lot."
At Empath Health, we know that comfort care can take many forms. Sometimes, it arrives on four paws with kind eyes and a wagging tail. The pit bull once called "useless" is now offering priceless moments of peace to hospice patients across our community.
Fred and Paka's story is a reminder that healing often happens in the most unexpected ways—and that kindness, compassion, and companionship can make all the difference.
Learn more about our volunteering opportunities here: https://empathhealth.org/volunteer