Eddie's first visit as a therapy dog
Eddie had his first visit as a therapy dog today. It was an unexpectedly long haul for us to get to this point.
I've wanted to get Eddie into this every since he was allowed to visit a relative in the hospital informally. I saw the smiles he brought to the faces of patients, some of whom were terminal. He performed his tricks like a champ and didn't seem to care if those watching were in wheelchairs, on walkers or in bed.
It just seemed like he had something to offer beyond making me happy. I wanted to share that.
Today we visited a continuing care, retirement community run by the hospital. Many of the people had Alzheimer's. Some couldn't speak. Almost all were quite old.
My vision was that he'd walk in and everybody would immediately stop what they were doing to watch my cute Yorkie perform his tricks. But that wasn't the case. Some didn't even seem to notice he was there. Others weren't interested.
But there were some real touching moments. The highlight for me was when he visited a woman who is 101 years old. It was a little intimidating for me. She had one of those intense stares on her face where you're not sure if she's interested or upset.
Evidently, she's lived in the facility for some time and was quite the character not long ago. She used to take weekly trips out on the town. And her stories were famous around the place.
One story she used to tell was that when she was a young girl, she was very sick and a doctor gave her a dog. She credited that dog with healing her and saving her life.
Now she doesn't tell too many stories. She's pretty much bedridden.
When Eddie came in, her expression didn't change, and I was wondering if the visit would do any good. I put a blanket down on her bed and set Eddie next to her. Immediately, she said "dog." The administrator of the program was shadowing us, and I could see a smile on her face.
Eddie was more interested in me than her, but you could tell she was interested. She asked what his name was. She asked how old he is. She asked where we got him.
She couldn't have seen him from her bed even if I tried to put him through his trick routine, but it didn't matter. Here was a woman whose days are likely very boring, yet for those few minutes her mind was active and she was interested. He sat on her bed. With some help from the adminstrator, she touched him.
Eddie didn't do any tricks. He didn't do any of the things that I think make him special. But he made a difference today. I was quite proud of him.
I've wanted to get Eddie into this every since he was allowed to visit a relative in the hospital informally. I saw the smiles he brought to the faces of patients, some of whom were terminal. He performed his tricks like a champ and didn't seem to care if those watching were in wheelchairs, on walkers or in bed.
It just seemed like he had something to offer beyond making me happy. I wanted to share that.
Today we visited a continuing care, retirement community run by the hospital. Many of the people had Alzheimer's. Some couldn't speak. Almost all were quite old.
My vision was that he'd walk in and everybody would immediately stop what they were doing to watch my cute Yorkie perform his tricks. But that wasn't the case. Some didn't even seem to notice he was there. Others weren't interested.
But there were some real touching moments. The highlight for me was when he visited a woman who is 101 years old. It was a little intimidating for me. She had one of those intense stares on her face where you're not sure if she's interested or upset.
Evidently, she's lived in the facility for some time and was quite the character not long ago. She used to take weekly trips out on the town. And her stories were famous around the place.
One story she used to tell was that when she was a young girl, she was very sick and a doctor gave her a dog. She credited that dog with healing her and saving her life.
Now she doesn't tell too many stories. She's pretty much bedridden.
When Eddie came in, her expression didn't change, and I was wondering if the visit would do any good. I put a blanket down on her bed and set Eddie next to her. Immediately, she said "dog." The administrator of the program was shadowing us, and I could see a smile on her face.
Eddie was more interested in me than her, but you could tell she was interested. She asked what his name was. She asked how old he is. She asked where we got him.
She couldn't have seen him from her bed even if I tried to put him through his trick routine, but it didn't matter. Here was a woman whose days are likely very boring, yet for those few minutes her mind was active and she was interested. He sat on her bed. With some help from the adminstrator, she touched him.
Eddie didn't do any tricks. He didn't do any of the things that I think make him special. But he made a difference today. I was quite proud of him.
Comments 7
Total Comments 7
Comments
 |  The older I become the more I realize that pure happiness comes in moments. That will be a moment in time that you know YOU and Eddie made a difference to someone. Im certain that even today, that lady is still thinking of Eddie. And smiling. |
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| |  Ahh, you said it perfectly. All our practice and the paperwork and the hassle was rewarded in just that one moment. I wouldn't trade it for anything. |
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| |  Thanks Mike and little Eddie for what you're doing. I'm sure that you brought joy to someone that day. I volunteer at a nursing home and leave many days wiping the tears away. Some are so forgotten and alone. Your help to them is important. Thank you. |
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| |  Our little DJ, all 5.25 lbs of him was a Hospice Pet Therapy Dog although he probably needed Hospice more than most of the patients since he had CRF and GN and a liver shunt fixed at 6.5. We place DJ on an elderly lady stroke resident who tried to reach over and pet DJ despite all her med tubes/wires. The daughter was elated. Powerful stuff these little guys/gals  |
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| | What a cool story. I've convinced these little guys really have a lot to offer. A lot of patients can't stand up to see them, but little dogs can be placed right on their beds. |
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| | We hope to get Zack and Zeke certified as Hospice Pet Therapy Dogs then they can go with us on Hospice visits like DJ and Harley did when they were with us. |
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| |  Eddie ~ Abigail is TDI certified, and has been visiting the nursing home here at home for the past few months. Sometimes it's hard to get motivated to get out of the house to go; but, once we're there, the faces that light up are so worth the weeks of behavior school, testing, and effort. Now, there are some who know her by name, and look forward to her visits. I, too, get a lot from our visits by listening to the stories of those people who have lived very full lives. We are so very proud of you and your 'daddy' for sharing yourselves with those whose lives are sometimes very empty. Thank you. |
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