Sorry to hear about your friend’s brother passing. A hip replacement surgery is not a small thing, even under the best circumstances. They make them sound routine but they are far from it.
As far as me being able to get anyone under control, I have two German Shepherds that only listen to me when I have treats. Rare is it any human views me as the voice of reason. I can say this. The world is a shit show, and sometimes during the intermissions, we get a break from it.