Peanut butter, toys and the occasional belly rub are helping Dallas’ most famous pup get through a 21-day isolation period as health officials monitor him for signs of Ebola.
On Thursday, Dallas Animal Services offered an update on Bentley, the year-old King Charles spaniel who belongs to nurse Nina Pham. It was a relief to many around the world to see pictures of him playing with a stuffed toy and snuggling up to Dr. Tammy Beckham, a veterinary expert from Texas A&M University who serves on the state’s new task force for infectious diseases.
Bentley is being cared for at the Hensley Field Services Center on West Jefferson Boulevard. Three times a day, Beckham enters the dog’s quarantine area in protected gear to play with Bentley, clean his area, feed him and play some more.
“It’s hard for me to leave him every day because, obviously, you want to take the cute little guy home with you,” Beckham said. “But he’s doing great and adjusting well. He just wants to play all the time and be petted.”
Bentley has toys that are rotated in and out to give him a variety of play, blankets to snuggle in and now, a radio set to classical music. His favorite seems to be rubber cones stuffed with peanut butter.
“He is definitely food-motivated. I apologize to Nina if he leaves here fat as a house,” said Dr. Cate McManus, operations manager and a veterinarian for Dallas Animal Services.
But his caretakers — the “B Team” — are doing what they can to keep him healthy and get him some exercise despite being confined.
At the end of his 21-day isolation period, Bentley will be tested for Ebola. If he shows no signs, he will be released, Beckham said.
McManus said officials don’t yet have a cost estimate for Bentley’s care. They are hoping most of it will be covered by a new Dallas Pet Emergency Transition Services fund done in partnership with the Dallas Companion Animal Project.
If not, animal services will seek grants. If money raised is beyond the cost of Bentley’s care, that excess will go toward helping other animals in emergency situations, McManus said.
To donate, visit DallasAnimals.org.
