Dallas nurse who survived Ebola reunited with dog

A nurse recently cured of Ebola joyfully reunited with her dog, Bentley, who was declared free of the virus after three weeks in quarantine.

At a news conference Saturday morning, Nina Pham thanked supporters from around the world as well as the team of veterinarians and city animal service employees who cared for and monitored Bentley for 21 days at Hensley Field in southwest Dallas.

“After I was diagnosed with Ebola, I didn’t know what would happen to Bentley or if he would have the virus. I was frightened that I would possibly not know what would happen to one of my best friends,” said Pham, who held Bentley close.

Pham, who grew up in Fort Worth, was one of two nurses who contracted the disease at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas while caring for Thomas Eric Duncan, a Liberian who died Oct. 8.

Pham, 26, returned home Oct. 24 after being cured at the National Institutes of Health hospital in Bethesda, Md. But the reunion with her “best friend” was delayed because Bentley was still being monitored for the virus.

The wait was over Saturday morning. Bentley greeted Pham with a wildly wagging tail and kisses in a mostly private reunion at Hensley Field, where he was under the care of Dallas Animal Services and veterinarians from Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

“Caring for him as if he was your own has shown America that compassion and love is abundant in life. I feel Bentley re-entering my life is yet another reminder of hope and encouragement for me moving forward and filling my life with joy with my best friend at my side again,” Pham said.

Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said Saturday that during the height of the Ebola concern, one of the most frequent questions was about how Pham’s furry friend was faring.

“Our animal companions are extremely important to us. Bentley was extremely important to Nina and her family,” Jenkins said. “Today we are able to reunite Nina and Bentley. It’s a happy day for everyone.”

Pham wasn’t the only person Bentley showered with affection. Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said even he received some doggy kisses.

“Bentley is alive and well in the city of Dallas. We are thrilled for this day for a lot of reasons,” Rawlings said. “There were a lot of human beings that spent a lot of time making sure this dog was safe and the community was as well.”

‘Exceptional challenge’

Members of Bentley’s care team said they wore full protective gear, including gloves and suits, while handling and monitoring the dog. Dallas does not yet have a cost estimate on Bentley’s care, city spokeswoman Sana Syed said.

“This was an exceptional challenge,” said Jody Jones with Dallas Animal Services. “It was one of the most gratifying experiences I think the entire care team has had, keeping him safe and healthy and happy during his stay here in Dallas, as well as to be able to reunite him with Nina.”

After the reunion, Bentley was presented with toys and treats donated by pet lovers nationwide.

“It’s been a tough month and I would not have been able to get through without the constant love and support from my family and friends, my workers at Presby, my caretakers at NIH and, most of all, God,” Pham said.

“I continue to ask for privacy during this time as I figure out what is next for me. For right now, I am just excited to take Bentley home so we can start picking out gifts for his two-year birthday party this month.”

This story was originally published November 1, 2014 at 12:25 PM with the headline "Dallas nurse who survived Ebola reunited with dog."