Yoda brings lots of joy to senior citizens. I can see our Yorkies bringing lots of joy to all kinds of patients in a hospital!
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SUFFOLK, NY — No yips, no nips, no puddles on the floor .
Everything went perfectly at the first commencement of Obici Hospital’s Kanine Kandystripers . Dogs, that is, of every variety.
Trainer Buddy Hayes of Chesapeake was still wiping tears of joy from her eyes as she congratulated each of the 26 graduates and shook their paws.
“They’re outgoing, love to be with people,” Hayes, a Therapy Dogs International trainer, said of her students. “The handler has to have good people skills as well. I’m so proud of every one of them.”
Obici is affiliated with Planetree , a national network of holistic health-care providers, and started its therapy-dog training program six weeks ago. It is the first hospital in southside Hampton Roads to offer dog therapy, Hayes said.
“Visiting animals can help people feel less lonely and less depressed,” said Lydia Dunkailo , a recreational therapist at Obici and staff liaison for the dogs.
Isabel , a Yorkshire terrier and the smallest in the group, got a special award for “most improved.” She wouldn’t even walk on a leash when the class started, Hayes said.
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