Peggy McDowell, now retired, was a nurse at Victoria Hospice in the early days of the society. She tells the story of the first Hospice Hug.

Well, it was like this. One afternoon, I noticed that Doctor Jim looked a little down. He didn’t say anything, but I could tell that he needed something to raise his spirits, so to speak. I told him I was going to give him a hug because he sure looked like he needed one. So I put my arms around him and gave him a good old-fashioned Irish hug. Doctor Jim is a fast learner, and I got a great hug right back. Well, that was the beginning of the Hospice Hug. The word soon spread, first to the nurses, then to the volunteers, and to the rest of the staff. I still give my own particular brand of an Irish hug every chance I get.

Peggy is a good friend of mine, and I can assure you that a hug from Peggy is one that you will never forget.

I was introduced to the Hospice Hug when I became a member of Walking Group 4. The volunteers always asked if I wanted a hug. I really appreciated being asked, and I was soon an accomplished hugger.

Ever since Claire and I became volunteers in the Walking Group Program, we have been giving demonstrations of the Hospice Hug. Claire’s friend, Roger, gave her a hug coupon which he had received from a friend. Volunteers have been using this coupon ever since as an introduction to the Hospice Hug. The coupons are free, and they never go out of date.

Some people are reluctant to hug someone they have just met. The traditional Hospice Hug greeting between volunteers sets an example for new walkers. We have ceased being amazed at how soon walkers look forward to that Saturday morning hug. Some people who prefer to have a handshake, at first, become enthusiastic huggers within a few short weeks.
There is more to a Hospice Hug than two people with arms around each other for a brief moment. When I hug someone, I am letting that person into a little bit of my world. I am telling someone that I am open to sharing a brief moment of our respective lives and to feeling the uniqueness of the person’s pain and joy. I want this person to know that both of us can be trusted with each others’ stories. Perhaps it is because I have received so much from Hospice and from those whom I met in my walking group that I feel so strongly that the simple touch of another person can imply both gentle affection and acceptance.

What is lost in our culture at times is the knowledge that we all need to love and be loved. The Walking Group Program at Victoria Hospice brings people together at a very vulnerable time of life. Volunteers provide a safe, respectful, and gentle environment where expressions of affection, comfort, understanding, and support become a part of life. The Hospice Hug is the first step on this path.

I don’t remember when or where I found this analysis of hugging, but it is a good one:

Hugging, the perfect cure for what ails you.

No movable parts, no batteries required, no periodic checkups
Low energy consumption, high energy yield, inflation proof
No monthly payments, no insurance requirements
Theft proof, non taxable, non polluting
And of, course, fully returnable
Hugging is healthy, it relieves tension
combats depression, reduces stress
improves blood circulation
It has no unpleasant side effects