As
the big day approached, I started getting the paperwork together and making sure
the collars were clean, the leads were reads and most of all, the dogs were
washed and brushed. I was a little
excited and scared at the same time wondering what to expect. This was our first official visit of many visits to
a “facility” as a therapy dog and handler.
Dutchess sensed something was up and she was overly excited and bounced
around the house knowing something was up…”I hope it’s not the Vet” she said, “they
usually stick things where they don’t belong and besides, it’s always cold”
with a scowl on her face along with an empty stomach, she knew something was
up…and off we went, little did she know…
All
the way there, she sat in the back of the car looking around wondering where we
were going, watching the cars pass with her tail between her legs, “no one is
going there… if I can help it” she said
but as we pulled into the facility, her tail went up, out she came and off we
went…
After
making our presences known with the Activity Director that we had previously
talked with, we were given free reign of the facility. We were met in the
lobby by several patrons of the facility that couldn’t wait, wanting to touch
and kiss and of course, they got to, and even got much more back with
Dutchess’s enthusiasm and affection. One
nurse said to make sure we went to room 403, she loves dogs and she can’t get
out of bed and she would be so happy. We
worked our way through the maze of people and saw everyone who wanted a visit,
which was many…Dutchess put on her charm and would even hold up one paw to
shake hands. She played with them,
giving licks/kisses and even helped house cleaning by searching the floor trying
to smell her morning breakfast which never came until later. I thought best that she would travel on an
empty stomach for apparent reasons, we may have to rethink this.
It
was a wonderful visit and we made many new friends and hopefully we will see
all of them again. Ms. Pearl* was so
excited to see the dogs but said she was lucky to see us, because she was going
home tomorrow and I inquired where home was?
We found out it was in another Independent Home, where she lived for the
last 9 years. Ms. Pearl was at this
location because she had a setback, but is now doing much better and leaving for home. After leaving, Elaine and I talked about our
visit and the pro’s and con’s and we discovered that there were no con’s.
Ms.
Pearl, was being transfer to her long-standing Independent Retirement Home the
next day but before we traveled back home, we paid a visit to that same location
Ms. Pearl was moving to, and hopefully next week, we will see Ms. Pearl again, because management welcomed us with open arms and it will be on our schedule, we are the only ones doing this at this location.
Dutchess was not alone as Clancy was with her. You see, even though Clancy did not pass his
evaluation for unforsaken reasons, he can still visit, just not
certified which can restrict his locations which is understandable. He was a
champ, doing all the right things and making everyone feel good and even
getting on the bed which was allowed. It
was the best of times…
“Look into their eyes, and you will ultimately see yourself. An
emotional mirror, looking back at you, animal to animal. Never mind dominance or
the bag of treats, our dog’s behavior is driven by our emotion. And then it
goes deeper still, know thy dog, know thyself”.
- Tom Ashbrook
Note:
If you are interested in visiting a nursing home or an
Independent Living facility, just check, most will allow a visit. Thaddeus, one of our pups from Annie/Doc and is well on his
way to becoming a wonderful Therapy dog and makes regular visits now at only 7
months old and had taken the hearts of many. Clancy can go because he has
been immunized and that is the only requirement as with Thaddeus. It is a very moving experience and will touch
your heart. Lord knows, I have been on
both ends and in truth, this end is better but I can’t help to think that when
I looked into the eyes of some of the patients, I was looking into my own
eyes…very moving. Ken
*Ms. Pearl…not her real name.
