My first visit as a therapy doggie....

Well finally after a year and a half our journey has taken us to this past Thursday, July 3, 2008 when Izzy and I finally had our first therapy visit at the Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital. Our official program name is Paws for Care...isn't that cute?

We went through so much training and studying and me getting two TB tests, and I must say our first visit was amazing. I think I was more nervous than Izzy.

We got to the hospital and met with our Delta leader (Robin). Robin will be with us for at least 3-5 visits before we go solo). Robin was so patient with us and I think the hard part is getting to know the lay of the land of the hospital. It's so big and we are only allowed to go to certain areas like any waiting room like the surgical waiting rooms, rehab acute and their waiting rooms, all of the pediatrics floor if the kids are not allergic to dogs or getting a breathing treatment we can't see them. We can go to all the main area of the hospital and even the physical therapy department.

We where at the hospital for over an hour (you can tell Izzy was getting tired so it looks like an hour is about what we can do with her at this time). We visited with about 7 patients and it was so heartwarming to know that we brought a little joy into their day.

Izzy was a little nervous at first and always looking to her mommy for reassurance when we put her on the patients lap (she has to stay on a towel and we must ask the patient permission if they want her on their lap). Well they all loved her (patients and staff - especially the nurses!). We must put a clean towel on each patient's lap and we must provide each person who pets Izzy with an open towlette for handwashing. The hospital provides both.

The only time we were nervous is when we visited one patient with dimenshia and she was a little rough petting on Izzy for a while but then I stepped in (and put my hand in between hers) and we both petted Izzy (I was trying to keep her hand pressure on my hand vs. Izzy's head)..lol.

Most of the women patients did not want us to leave but Izzy's tolerance level seemed to be about 10 minutes on everyone's lap and then wanted to move on except for this one patient whom Izzy really liked and wanted to camp out on her blanket and sleep.

It was so gratifying for me to be able to bring some smiles to all their faces. We can't wait to go back.

Oh and it was so funny it takes us more time to sign in and sign out since everyone who sees Izzy wants to stop and pet her! From people just walking the halls, patients in wheel chairs, doctors, nurses, volunteer staff, visitors, cleaning people, etc.

Oh and Izzy was not afraid of any noises like the elevator or loud cleaning machines (since the time we went the night crew was polishing the floors with those huge waxers). I figured she would be good with the noises since she is not afraid of the vacuum at home or loud noises when I drop my cooking pots on the floor.

So that's our first day at the hospital visiting and we'll be going back soon.