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Now in her late 50s, longtime Kenai resident Linda Black has been feeling under the weather lately to put it mildly. She's been diagnosed with cancer, diabetes and has several other ailments that affect her heart and ability to breath.

As such she has been in and out of Central Peninsula Hospital and soon will be permanently placed in Heritage Place. While these moves are for her own good, they have taken her away from the comfort and familiarity of her home, and most importantly, away from one of her closest companions.

"Midnight has been her companion for more than 10 years," said friend of 22 years, Mary Warrington, referring to Black's dog, a female mutt with a shaggy, black coat and muzzle that has turned gray in recent years as the pooch is no spring chicken herself.

"Midnight came to her as a rescue, after some friends had found her," Warrington remembered. "The two of them just hit it off."

Warrington has been taking care of Midnight while Black is in the hospital, and had been bringing photos of the dog in for her to see, but it still wasn't enough. The unconditional love of Black's pet was one of the aspects of her life that she most missed.

"Her dog is what really makes her happy," Warrington said, and since Black couldn't go to Midnight, Warrington took the necessary steps to bring Midnight to her.

Central Peninsula Hospital has in place a Family Pet Visitation Policy.

"It's only for dogs and cats," said Camille Sorensen, marketing manager at CPH.

"We allow these pets to come visit patients because we know for some people, their pets are their children," Sorensen said. "It makes them feel better and can aid the healing process."

Determined by a patient's care team -- typically made up of the attending physicians, nursing supervisors and/or social workers -- a patient's pet can come into the hospital if it is believed it could improve their quality of care, promote their emotional well being or assist in the healing process.

There are a few rules to bringing in pets, however. They must be on a leash or in a kennel, clean and well groomed, and in good health with current vaccination records from a veterinarian. The dogs must also be non-aggressive, and not hyperactive or difficult to control by the designated caretaker of the animal.

Midnight met all of these criteria, so she now gets to visit Black regularly.

"I think it's awesome the hospital does this," Warrington said. "Seeing Midnight is her whole world, so I try to bring her by at least once or twice a week. It really cheers her up."

Warrington said Black will spend time petting Midnight, giving her biscuits, or spoiling her with other yummy treats like parts of her own unfinished meals.

"Even Midnight gets excited when she knows she's going for a visit," Warrington said, "I think it makes her health better and it allows old acquaintances to be together."

Joseph Robertia can be reached at joseph.robertia@peninsulaclarion.com.