Honoring One of Our Greatest Gifts: Dell Bryant

The story below is the speech I gave in June 2016 at Memorial Hermann Hospital honoring Dell Bryant after he passed way. Dell was a longtime member of our organization who was so passionate about pet therapy that he made it his mission to actively recruit pet therapy teams. We miss him dearly, and we are honored to be able to share his story.

---

My name is Connie Richards, Director and Founder of Faithful Paws Pet Therapy, celebrating 20 years, which is sponsored by Bellaire United Methodist Church.

It is my honor to speak about Dell Bryant. Dell was a dedicated Memorial Hermann volunteer for ten years.

I hold classes and train all our members and their dogs on how to become pet therapy dogs.

I remember all the training sessions I had with Dell and his Anatolian Shepherd, Rio Bravo, and later his dog, Hondo, a Leonberger. Dell loved BIG dogs, and I emphasis BIG. Rio weighed 150 pounds. Dell embraced the opportunity to train his dogs and learn something new…and held himself to high standards. He came to class after class. He took every word I said and tried to absorb the techniques of training his dog. He applied himself as if he was interviewing for a six-figure job. Rio was a handful of playful puppy and did not have a serious bone in him. But Dell was committed to training this pup into a credible image that would make a worthy pet therapy dog. It took a while, but Dell and Rio were tested and certified. And that is where his life changed forever.

They became the ambassador and recruiter for pet therapy. Dell was always on the lookout for those special dogs that could become pet therapy dogs. Dell’s focus in life was to promote and do as much pet therapy as he could. He was quick to join several teams and become team captain of many of our visits. Everyone knew Dell and his big gentle dog, Rio. He drew a crowd everywhere he went. Rio was a sweetheart and looked forward to being dressed up in sunglasses and a leather cap to visit the patients at Memorial Hermann Hospital. You couldn’t help but smile when you saw this awesome team wander the halls and hand out pictures of Rio. They would pose for pictures and Rio would get hugs and kisses. Dell and Rio loved their volunteer work.

I have a little secret to share. Dell and Dr. Red Duke were neighbors and good friends from a long time ago. So, when they would see each other in the halls, Dr. Red Duke would always stop and give Rio a big hug and ask Dell to take a picture of them together. He very much approved of pet therapy in the hospital. These were treasured memories.

Dell was a large man with a Harley Davidson motorcycle image. He was proud of his scruffy gray beard and long hair. Yet, when he spoke, he would melt your heart. You could see straight into his soul, and knew he was a kind and caring person. The minute you met him you were his close friend for life. He never met a stranger. He held his friends close to his heart.

Dell always made time to help other people with their dogs to show them what his dog could do. He was always anxious to go to various dog parks to meet other people and talk about dogs and, of course, recruit new members for Faithful Paws.

Dell was in a car accident and leaves behind his lovely wife, Denise and his newest dog Hondo. Denise and Hondo continue to make pet therapy visits at the same places that Dell used to visit, and she has taken on team leader responsibilities as well.

We miss Dell so much, but he left paw prints on our hearts. He truly made a difference and touched so many lives.