- Angela Fitzgerald: Dennis Erickson has had quite
the eclectic career.
There's one thing all his jobs have in common.
- Dennis Erickson: I like bringing joy,
I like helping people.
- Angela: Now retired, Dennis still works part-time
at Eastview Health and Rehabilitation Center in Antigo.
- Thank you.
- I initially just wanted to go in there and volunteer.
But they said, "With all your experience,
we'd love to have you be on staff."
- Angela: A year after starting at Eastview,
Dennis met Rocket,
a short-legged Jack Russell terrier.
- Dennis: I came over here to visit the humane society
and happened to see Rocket.
He was just very energetic and friendly.
I told Theresa, the manager here,
that I would take Rocket.
I've always appreciated dogs,
and especially well-behaved ones like Rocket.
He's just, he's so good with people.
- Angela: It wasn't long before Rocket's big personality
landed him a job at Eastview too.
- Dennis: I took him to the nursing home where I work,
and the administrator fell in love with him.
- Shari Zoern: Rocket got involved about three years ago.
I was on vacation, and when I came back,
there were dog treats in my office.
I didn't know about Rocket.
I said, "What are these dog treats doing in there?"
"Oh, well, they're for Rocket."
I said, "Well, who's Rocket?"
"Well, Dennis's dog."
- His name is on the door, he's on the work schedule.
One day, the director of nursing came up to me
and she said, "I wanna let you know
"that Rocket is the number-one staff person at this facility.
"The only complaint I have is once in a while,
he'll nap when he's at work."
- Angela: Although Rocket hasn't had any
offical therapy dog training,
he's learned his fair share of new tricks.
- Dennis: He sits on the residents' laps.
We'll deliver mail, and Rocket will help with that.
- Bingo Caller: G 48.
- Dennis: Then we have activities
that we do with the residents.
- Angela: For many Eastview residents,
it's hard to put into words what Rocket means to them.
- Sometimes, people that don't necessarily,
they're not able to communicate verbally,
but they can communicate with facial expressions.
- Angela: Their smiles say it all.
- Sharon: He's just happy all the time, and he brings joy.
- There you go, little boy!
- Angela: For Rocket, it's a new leash on life.
And for Dennis, it's the job of a lifetime.
- Dennis: I enjoy the interaction with the residents.
They've become like extended family and they all love Rocket,
so it's a win-win for everyone.
- Angela: Now, Dennis is hoping Rocket can help people
beyond Eastview by starring in his own children's book.
- This story about him just needs to be told.
And I think a children's book is the way to do it.
- Angela: Dennis conscripted local cartoonist Brian Ponshock
to illustrate the book.
- Brian Ponshock: I hope that we can get it
to reach a lot of people
and that the local community can be proud of something
that was made right here in town.
- Dennis: The book is gonna be called
Rocket: The Superhero Therapy Dog.
- Angela: Whatever happens with the book,
Dennis knows that Rocket will always be a hero
to everyone he meets.
- I have a favorite lines of a folk song.
It says, "You take the little that you know
"and you do the best you can,
and you save the rest for the quiet faith of man."
He kind of epitomizes that.
[gentle music]
[indistinct conversation]