Watch Nancy Holland's 11 News report

Kirby is going for a Christmas visit.

He isn't going far, but the trip will go a long way toward making the holidays easier.

For more than six weeks, heart and circulation problems have confined Bari Bodden to the Methodist Hospital, kept her away from the only family she has here — Kirby.

"He's a little boy in a dog suit is what he is," Bodden said.

The "little boy" dropped in to visit her thanks to PAWS Houston -- a non-profit organization that arranges for a patient's own pet to visit.

"It's good for body, mind, soul, everything," Bodden said. "Because all those weeks I couldn't see him, it dragged on me."

PAWS Founder Donna Dishman can quote studies about the benefits people's pets can bring, but she didn't really need to see those studies.

"I have my own dogs, and I know every day that the love that they give to us," Dishman said.

She likes bringing the comfort that comes with soft fur and a wagging tail.

Each hospital visit has its own story, like the one about the man who had the stroke and spoke for the first time when he saw his dog.

If there is anything hard, it is when the visits must end.

"This is... this is very special," Bodden said.

Seeing such joy is what keeps the people at PAWS doing it all year.

For more information, check out PAWS Web site.