Cancer Survivor Donates Security Dog To South Jersey Hospital

CAMDEN, NJ — A former cancer patient donated a new security dog to the team that he credits with saving his life.

Perry Parks, a retired police officer and current dog trainer, donated a fully-trained K9 to Virtua Health on Wednesday.

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After being treated by the staff at Virtua for Stage 3 colon cancer, he gave a Belgian Malinois, valued at $15,000, to the facility with just one request.

"Nothing I faced as a police officer was as daunting as being told I had cancer," Parks, 65, of Medford, said. "After [colorectal] surgery, Dr. Meslin told me, 'I just put 30 years in your tank.'"

In honor of Dr. Keith Meslin's care, Parks asked that the dog be named "Meslin."

"He relieved me of all my worries," added Parks. "He truly gave me a new lease on life."

Parks worked in the security department at Virtua after he retired from the Medford Township police force, and has trained dogs for law enforcement and other agencies for decades.

He also trained the facility's most recent security dog, "Tosca," who recently retired.

In 2025, as Tosca was approaching the end of his service, Virtua contacted Parks about helping to bring on a K9.

It was around this time that Park learned of a rescue dog at a local shelter who was described as very calm, with a well-balanced temperament.

"I immediately knew he would be good for a healthcare environment. Donating the dog is my way of giving back," he said.

Along with the gift, the two share another connection when their paths crossed years prior to Parks becoming a patient at Virtua.

Meslin and his wife own a 14-pound Cavachon who was brought as a puppy to Parks for obedience training.

Meslin called his patient "energetic and down to earth" as he accepted the gift in his honor.

"I've received a lot of hugs from patients, but I've never had a dog named after me," he said.

Meslin was sworn in on Wednesday after a few weeks of training. His official welcome came with many gifts that included a bed, a monogrammed blanket, dog bowls, and snacks.

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