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Pet Partners - share your visiting experiences and activities. Send the information to the Pet Partners department.

Alabama

Mobile - Angela Clark and her 21-month-old Lab-mix Sampson have been visiting several nursing homes since he was a seven-month-old pup. He even helped open a new nursing home when he was in training. Clarke writes, “When Sampson comes to visit there is a particular group of three women who wait for him in the activities room. Their eyes just light up every time they see him. Watching him grow from a seven-month-old puppy into the great dog he is now has brought them great joy. He goes to that facility two to three times a month. He also is part of Covenant House Paws For Patients. As part of that group he has gone to several assistive living homes as well as our senior centers. Sampson enjoys the love and attention he gets from the seniors he visits. It is a win–win situation for everyone.” (2007)

See what's happening with the Hand-in-Paw Pet Partners in Alabama - View Newsletter (spring 2006)

Arizona

Tempe - Seven years ago, Diane McGuire adopted a gray and white catfrom the Arizona Animal Welfare League, and named him Kenny. Since McGuire already had a dog that worked with her in AAA/T, she thought the extroverted Kenny might be able to do the same. Her hunch proved correct, and Kenny was soon registered as a Pet Partner. Today, as members of Gabriel’s Angels, McGuire and Kenny work to help women and children scarred by domestic violence. The children especially adore Kenny and stand in line for the chance to groom or carry the mellow cat. As they stroke his soft fur, they talk about pets in their pasts. As for the women, McGuire says, ”Kenny pulls them in like a magnet…they smile and seem relaxed.” It also seems that the visits are beneficial to Kenny as well. Diagnosed with a mild pancreatic disorder when first adopted, Kenny has been free of symptoms for nearly two years now, and no longer requires special enzymes to help him digest his food. (2007)

Tuscon - Every month for more than three years, friends and Pet Partners Ellen Shenkarow and her Basset Hound Lola and Lynn Roberts and her St. Bernard Denny make the trip to Mountain View Assisted Living. Over that time, they have become quite close to two residents, Hazel, who is 100 years old, and Esther. Recently, both women were patients in the adjacent hospital and Shenkarow and Roberts surprised them by bringing the dogs to visit. After visiting Hazel in her room, they went to the crowded therapy room to visit Esther. Everyone there was thrilled to see and pet the dogs. (2007)

Arkansas

Eureka Springs - Nancy Grimm wrote to tell how she and her Pet Partner, Duncan, a Weimaraner, were featured in the latest issue of a Nestle-Purina magazine Rally to Rescue. The basis for the story line was to showcase dogs that had been rescued and adopted, registered with AKC under the Indefinite Listing Program (ILP) and had gone on to compete at AKC performance events. Grimm is also proud of Duncan’s other accomplishments and notes, ”In the course of my interview, I also made sure that everyone knew he was a Delta Society registered therapy Pet Partner.” She was pleased to see the company made mention of this in their magazine. (2007)

California

At UCLA Medical Center, Therapy Dogs Provide Hospital Patients with Unconditional Love (2007)

Burbank - Marcy Ellenbogen and Oreo visited the Belmont Village Assisted Living Facility where they met Morty and Mary. Morty was so interested in Oreo, he kept petting and kissing the black and white rabbit. ” Oreo loved it,” says Ellenbogen. She asked the man if he would like a picture with Oreo, ”We take Polaroids ® and they get them on the spot,” she noted. When the man replied that he didn’t have any money, she explained that it was their gift to him. Morty was so excited that he would have his very own picture with Oreo that he wanted to give them something in return. A musician, he asked Ellenbogen what their favorite song was. She replied, “Any song from Fiddler on the Roof.” In response Morty got up and went to the piano and played many songs from Fiddler. (2007)

Glen Ellen - Pet Partner JoAnn Craig wrote of a different kind of senior profile…her own experiences as a 72-year-old with her partner—a six-year-old Lab/Great Dane cross named Ceres. For the last four years, together, they make a difference in the lives of the at-risk children.
“I am a retired anthropologist, a professor in International Relations at SFSU ( San Francisco State University). I had gone on sick leave at SFSU for lung cancer in 2001, and then I miraculously healed without surgery or chemo just a few months after I found my rescued dog, Ceres.
“After about a year of sick leave, I moved to the country, and went into reclusive retirement. The first thing I did when I was able to move about was to get an abandoned and abused dog and nurture it as he was traumatized and defeated. It was only three months after I got him that my x-rays and MRIs began to show that there was no trace of the cancer in my lungs.
“We decided to give back to the world what the world had, in it’s bounty, given to us—a chance to love everybody and everything. It took me a long time to prepare us both for the Delta Pet Partner’s Team Registration. Ceres and I began the slow process of attending dog schools, dog classes, dog training. “After we passed our tests we found a wonderful place which was just what we had wanted—a place for kids in protective custody because they were abandoned/abused/or betrayed by parents and those who should have loved them.
“Through a series of fortunate serendipitous accidents, we found ourselves working at the Valley of the Moon Children’s Center in Santa Rosa. “We have twice-a-month, one-hour visits that are divided into two halves: the first, a class on dog behaviors, training, safety, emotions, intelligence, senses, dog-jobs, etc., The second half consisted of ‘Pick-A-Tricks’ that Ceres had learned and mastered for the kids. If he could make them smile and laugh, he got ice cream when we got home.
Our focus is on compassion and empathy and forgiveness and responsibility.
We are all working together to bring love and respect and compassion and understanding to children to help them to trust and learn to love again!” (2007)

Huntington Beach , Mission Viejo & Rancho Santa Margarite - Daleen Comer has been visiting a senior day care center monthly for the past two years with her Sheltie, Duffy, Kathy Larson and her Golden Retriever Peaches, and Amy Leveque with Golden Retriever Annie. The facility is large, with 25 to 30 adults seated in a large room—some in chairs, some in wheelchairs, and several in recliners. One of the ladies the teams visit is always in a recliner, so the dogs are lifted up so that she can reach them. She spends several minutes petting each dog, speaking continuously in French. It was clear to us that she was one of the people who enjoyed the dog visits the most. During one visit, the man next to her was observing her enjoyment of the dogs, and he commented that this is the only time that she displays enthusiasm and speaks The rest of the time she sits quietly in her recliner. (2007)

Prescription: Pets (Rx: Pets) is a California nonprofit 501(c) (3) Public Benefit Organization since 2000 based in Redding, CA.  The specific purpose of our organization is to enhance the quality of life and emotional health of patients, clients and staff in various facilities.  Specializing in the acute care setting, our teams regularly visit Shasta Regional Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and Kaiser Sacramento Medical Center.  Rx: Pets Teams also visit several assisted living, skilled nursing facilities and the women’s refuge.  Rx: Pets is a visiting animal group who trains, organizes and oversees over 100 animal-handler teams as they engage in activities with patients and clients at various healthcare facilities.  Though most of our animals are dogs, we do have cats, rabbits and a miniature horse.  At this time we regularly visit sixteen facilities in Shasta, Tehama, Humboldt and Sacramento counties.  Rx: Pets will start the R.E.A.D program in the winter of 2008. (2007)

Colorado

 

Littleton - Denver Pet Partner Jim Saunders and his bloodhound Sadie are regular visitors at Life Care Center of Littleton (LCCL). Saunders tells of a special relationship he and Sadie have with a gentleman they’ve been visiting there for two years. ”He is a reminder to me how fortunate we are to have our health. He is also a reminder of the strength of the human soul to endure in spite of the bad hands life sometimes deals. I can only hope to have his courage, should I suffer a similar fate. Nursing homes can be a downer, but for me the aged and dying are a special source of inspiration and hope. Seniors remind me to take a moment to reflect and enjoy what I have been given. Life is fleeting and is ours to make of it what we will.” (2007)

 

Louisville - Rich Schad, a Pet Partner with Colorado Therapy Animals wrote to tell us about his senior dog, a mahogany Sheltie named Willie, and his ”little brother.”
“Willie had had several owners in his life, and was left alone outside in the middle of the night with a note, that said, ‘too much trouble.’ I adopted little Willie in August of 2004 from Colorado Sheltie Rescue, and at age 12 1/2 ‘too Much Trouble’ Willie learned ALL of his commands, and passed his tests, complex-rated, to become a registered Pet Partner.” Since then, Willie has logged over 150 hours of service to patients at Exempla Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette, Balfour Cherrywood Alzheimer’s in Louisville, and Hospice of Boulder and Broomfield County. Schad continues, ”I saved one dog, and it didn’t change the world, but surely the world changed for Willie, and for all those people whom Willie has shared ‘too Much Love’—bringing sugar and smiles.
Willie splits his visits with his ”little brother,” Jake, another rescued Sheltie, 10 years his junior. Adopted on the same day, they became Pet Partners together—a job they both love. Schad tells of one special visit Jake made to a patient at Good Samaritan.
“We visited a beautiful woman of 98 who has never had a dog. I placed Jake on her bed. She rubbed her hands through Jake’s soft fur, hugging and hugging him, saying, ‘Jake, you are heaven-sent.’ Over and over, she told him, ‘I love you.’ Jake, who normally never kisses on duty, gave this woman a beautiful paintbrush kiss…Her eyes lit brightly, like a five-year-old getting her first bike on Christmas morning.” (2007)

 

 

 

Colorado Therapy Animals and Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center dog teams at the Heart Walk for the American Heart Association in Denver. (June 2006)

See what's happening with Angel Acre Companions in Colorado. (spring 2006)

Congratulations to Jerri Stephens and Bailey, of affiliate group Denver Pet Partners, on the "Everyday Hero" award from News channel 7. (2006)

 

Connecticut

Delta Affiliate, Tails of Joy Hosts First Fundraiser - Tails of Joy, Animal Assisted Therapy Group located in Manchester Connecticut, held a very successful fundraiser on April 29th . The event featured Patti Lawson, author of the Dog Diet. The evening began with an introduction from President Terrie Carpenter informing the audience about Tails of Joy, Delta Society, and what Therapy Dogs do. Terrie introduced Patti Lawson who spoke about her new book The Dog Diet, and how a rescue dog named Sadie changed her from a stressed out perfectionist into a more “human” being. Tails of Joy was well supported with door prizes by members of the community. This was the group’s first fundraiser and they were very grateful to Patti for her very enjoyable presentation and for helping to make our fundraiser a success. (April 2005)

Florida

Boca Raton - On Friday, May 4, 2007, Golden Retriever Kelly, a Pet Partner and member of Pet Partners affiliate Therapy Dogs of South Florida, carried out the ceremonial first pitch at the Florida Marlins’ ”Bark at the Park” baseball game. Kelly took the ball from Billy the Marlin, mascot for the Florida Marlins. Kelly’s proud Pet Partners teammate is Tom DeCicco. (2007)

Estero - Jana, a 120-lb. Leonberger, and Ann Duyster make regular visits at a school for children with special education needs. They have been visiting this school for several years and the kids always look forward to the dogs’ visits. Over the years Duyster has heard numerous comments on her big, furry dog. From ”You could ride this dog!” to ‘she looks like a teddy bear, except she is a live teddy bear.” Recently, a boy who was reading to Jana suddenly said, ”Look! How cool—she has wings!” He was pointing at the thick, long feathering on Jana’s front legs. At the end of his session he drew a large heart in Jana’s autograph book and wrote ‘I love you Jana very, very, very, very much.’ His teacher smiled and said she was so happy to see his soft side come out. Duyster writes, ”It’s so wonderful to see these big boys snuggle up with the dogs. They can let their guard down and show their warm feelings. The dogs give them unconditional love, an extra lick, a nudge, a big paw on an arm or leg—it really makes these kids feel special.” (2007)

Pensacola - Pet Partner teammates Ali and ”Jackson” Gerold have enjoyed their work with seniors, but this two-year-old Australian Shepherd has a special rapport with Louise, Ali’s 92-year-old mother-in-law. He watches vigilantly as Louise takes a dip in the pool, and has even been known to take a few laps himself. Louise refers to Jackson as ”my special friend,” as he places his front paws up on her lap. When it’s time for Louise to head back to her assisted living facility, Jackson ”helps” her down the garden path by walking by her wheelchair until she’s safely into the car. This black and white Aussie loves everyone and is always ready to rest his head on a welcome lap. (2007)

Georgia

Marietta - The Pet Partners team of Kathy Clark and Misty, her black Cocker Spaniel, visit twice each month at the Elmcroft Assisted Living Center in Roswell. Misty entertains residents with her tricks and outgoing personality. Activities Director, Paige Stills, is excited about the affect Misty has on residents. She says that Misty is ”…the sweetest cocker spaniel she has ever met.” Recently, resident Virginia Hartman requested that Misty attend her 100th birthday party. On September 8th, friends and relatives gathered to enjoy birthday cake, gifts, balloons, and music. Misty was present, and as always, was the hit of the party! (2007)

 

Indiana

Logan - Barb Scott considers her Golden Retriever Logan to be a wonderful friend and pet and knows the impact he has on everyone he comes into contact with, especially her and her husband. ”I am a senior myself,” says Scott, ”…and spend a lot of time with him. He is a wonderful comfort to me as I have many medical problems/concerns.”
Scott is a Disaster Mental Health volunteer for the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis. When she is on call in Indianapolis, she takes Logan with her. ”He is so good at what he does—helping people,” Says Scott. ”Many of our clients are seniors who have lost their homes and all their belongings in a family fire. He comforts everyone he meets. Their stress levels are lowered as long as Logan is with them. One lady cried when we were leaving her home after a two-hour visit. On a hospital visit, an older woman smiled for the first time in a week. I’m not sure who enjoys it more, Logan, the clients/patients, or me! He is very special to us.” (2007)

Pet Partners at the West Lafayette Public Library

Iowa

Louisiana

Mathews - Pet Partner Lana Downing and her Poodle–Pom Maggie make regular visits to the Terrebonne General Medical Center rehabilitation unit. Lorena Pitre, the recreation director, requests frequent visits from Pet Partners, and Maggie is one of their favorites because she always has on the cutest outfits. Made or bought by Downing, her ensembles include a Japanese kimono and a fake fur jacket for the winter. At every visit Downing, and Delta instructor Laura Dupont explain the Pet Partner Program and then bring Maggie individually to each patient. Just seeing Maggie helps the patients to relate memories of pets from their pasts, or of how they are eager to go home and see their pets. These patients tell them that holding Maggie is a real comfort since they are away from their own pets. (2007)

Massachusetts

 

 

"Just another day at the office for Tate, the Border Terrier and Jake, the Golden Retriever with human Partner Maureen and Kathy, while they visit patients at Lowell General Hospital in Lowell, MA." (2007)

 

Holden - As an equestrian and a volunteer at a local special-needs horseback riding program, Jessica Sadick was interested in combining her love for horses with a service project. A PBS special on the use of miniature horses as seeing-eye animals piqued her curiosity. A further Google search led her to Delta affiliate Paws for People. She became determined to train a miniature horse to become part of an animal-assisted therapy team.
During the summer of 2002, Sadick began a summer-long search for her new teammate. With his big hazel eyes and honey colored mane, her miniature was appropriately named after the 70s rock star, Rod Stuart. She nicknamed him ”Baby Bucky,” and immediately began his training. After three years of practicing voice commands, refining interaction manners, attending Paws for People classes at Tufts-Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, and reading volumes of manuals on the procedures and benefits of pet therapy, Sadick bonded with Bucky. They were ready for their team evaluation in skills and aptitude exercises. They maneuvered around an obstacle course of wheel chairs, dropped crutches and a German Shepherd, and happily and confidently met their mock-patients.
In the end, Bucky and Sadick were successfully recognized as the third miniature horse Pet Partners therapy team in Massachusetts. Sadick recalls, ”I marveled at our accomplishment and looked forward to sharing Bucky with individuals in authentic healthcare settings. I had anticipated the comfort and joy that Bucky and I would provide to people in need. Paws for People has given Bucky and me skills and opportunities to engage individuals who are lonely, infirmed, and often non-responsive to human contact. As an aspiring veterinarian, I understand that not only can people improve the health and well-being of animals, but the reverse holds true as well.” (2007)

Montana

Dogs spread their happiness
Meet Sunnie, Tuttle, and Sonny, three pet therapy dogs that visit the Billings Clinic.The canines are registered with the Delta Society, an organization that works to improve humans' health through service and therapy animals. For more of this story, click here. (2007)

New Hampshire

See what's happening with Pet Partners in New England. (spring 2006)

North Carolina

Greenville - Bennington Bear, a Bouvier Des Flandres dog, and Ragtime, a Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier, have been visiting senior daycare centers and senior nursing facilities together since both dogs completed their Delta Society training over seven years ago. Both dogs are shelter rescues and were trained by Companions for Therapy of Tallahassee, FL. After enjoying the Florida sunshine for three years, the dogs and their teammates, Dr. Larry White and wife, Emily Blankenship, moved to, Marietta, OH, and continued their Pet Partner vocations and now bring smiles to senior facilities in Greenville. (2007)

See what's happening with the Pet Partners in Piedmont - View Newsletter - July 2007

Ohio

As Firelands Regional Medical Center's (Sandusky) only Pet Therapy Cat, Cosmo and owner, Janet have been visiting patients here since April. Originally from Michigan, Janet and her husband reside in Norwalk and have 4 children and 2 grandchildren. She is a former LPN who enjoys writing and reading, but her animals are her favorite pastime.

Cosmo, a certified Delta Society Therapy Cat, also visits Stein Hospice and along with Janet, help the Old Mason Animal Rescue. Cosmo has recently been featured in several publications and also has been selected for Dick Goddard’s 2008 calendar which supports funding for animal rescues. (January 2008)

Cincinnati - Eleonora Fusco PhD and Pallina are members of Therapy Pets of Greater Cincinnati. Pallina’s favorites are the “golden friends” at SeniorLink, as they tend to move slower, speak softer and are very generous in praise and treats. Pallina has visits her golden friends in the early dementia unit. The recreational coordinators divide the residents into three groups: dog lovers, observers and fearfuls. The dog lovers usually had dogs in their lives and by seeing Pallina, the happy memories come back. They actively seek to interact with Pallina.
“To actively engage our friends, Pallina and I re-apply social games developed to train puppies. For example each senior receives few treats in one hand; then one at time, they have to call Pallina, make Pallina sit and then give her a treat with the other hand. In this activity each senior performs multi tasks coordination by keeping in mind each step of the exercise; diction exercise when calling the dog; and motor coordination when passing the treat from one hand to the other and then to the dog.
“One of our friends has serious diction obstacles to overcome, she does understand that to have the treats to play with Pallina she has to call her by name and amazingly, she pushes herself to indeed articulate Pallina. Saying Pallina is not an easy task since it is also an Italian, and thus unfamiliar, name. Personally, I feel as if I am the ‘smile fairy’ (the fairy who spreads smiles on her path) and Pallina my magic wand.” (2007) 

Nashport - Joanne Martin visits Autumn Health Care with Katie her Golden Retriever her. The team visited a woman who was completely unresponsive. When Joanne took her hand and gently ran it down Katie’s fur she actually smiled. Smiles like that are priceless. (2007)

Granville - Chuck Ross recognizes the effect his Belgian Tervuren, Alex can have on those who can no longer relate to their friends and family. “A lot of people would rather talk to a dog than to people. Many patients with Alzheimer’s disease in particular are often quite anxious and/or rarely have a meaningful or coherent conversation with anyone. Alex really relaxes them and I can barely pull him away from their enthusiastic chatter. I’ve really bonded with many of the residents we visit.” (2007)  

Granville - Angel Paws volunteer Mary Tuominen, who visits with her Greyhound Leon, tells this story about one special visit at the Hospice of Central Ohio In-Patient Care Center. “Today, we stand in Eva’s doorway preparing to introduce ourselves. Leon, my rescue racing greyhound, stands tall and quiet at my side. Eva sits in her recliner dozing, her gray hair carefully curled, glasses resting on the end of her nose.
“I call her name gently… bit louder, ‘Eva?’ She opens her eyes and looks up and says, ‘Oh, I’m really uncomfortable. I need to move. Can you help me?’ ‘sure,’ I reply. I don’t know what kind of help Eva might need, but if I can’t provide it I can always push the buzzer and ask one of the nurses for assistance. I kneel down, Leon by my side, and push the wheeled tray back from Eva’s chair. But before I can ask about Eva’s discomfort, she begins chatting.
“ ‘I don’t like animals very much,’ Eva declares looking straight at Leon. ‘too bad my daughter isn’t here. She really likes animals— not like me. She’d like that dog. I don’t really like animals.’ ‘Yes, not everyone is comfortable with dogs,’ I comment.
“ ‘But, he’s a very pretty dog,’ Eva remarks. ‘my daughter works at a dog and cat hospital four days a week. She grooms the dogs. Too bad she’s not here. She’d like that dog. I don’t like dogs.’ Eva looks at me. ‘But your dog seems very gentle,’ she observes. “Yes, you’re right. Leon is very gentle,’ I agree.
Eva places her hand on Leon’s back. ‘my daughter goes into people’s houses to take care of their dogs. She worked for one fire fighter for over a year. Goes to his house every morning and every night to feed his dog and let the dog out. Me? I don’t like dogs very much. Is this your dog?’ ‘Yes,’ I reply. ‘I adopted Leon a year ago and we’ve been coming to Hospice to visit folks for about six months.’
Eva begins to stroke Leon. Petting his brindle coat and gazing into Leon’s deep brown eyes Eva quietly observes, ‘Yep, It’s really too bad that I don’t like dogs.’ (2007)

West Chester - Pet Partners Glenna Mockbee and her six-year-old Yorkie, Reece, first met Lula in an intensive care unit at the hospital they visit. Mockbee says, “Lula was very ill, but when I went into the room with Reece, a smile broke out on her face. The nurse told me it was the first response they had from her,” Mockbee asked Lula is she would like her to put Reece on the bed. Lula smiled in affirmation, so Mockbee carefully set the dog down. As Reece lay with Lula, Mockbee helped the woman pet the dog until she fell asleep, the smile still on her face.
When Lula was transferred to a nursing home, Mockbee and Reece continued to visit her. Though Lula could not speak, her smile always showed how welcome their visits were. Lula had no family nearby, so the team became her sole support. On their last visit, Reece broke character and went up to Lula and gave her a shower of doggie kisses, then lay back down on the bed. Lula passed away that day knowing that she was loved and cared for by her two friends. (2007)

Read the 'Munchkin and Chip' story.

Oregon

See what's happening with Compassionate Canines in Central Oregon - View Newsletter

Tennessee

Cookeville - In just one year of visiting, MaryDell Sommers and her Silky Terrier Buttons have met and touched over 100 elderly patients. Buttons has “kept a diary” of her work and the hospital is looking into having it published. Sommers intends to have the proceeds benefit Delta Society and the hospital. (2007)

Mid South Therapy Dogs (a Delta Society Affiliate) won the award for Animal Organization of the Year. This small affiliate is making a big difference in their community.

Therapy Dogs at LaBonheur Children's Medical Center

Texas

Austin - Texas Neuro Rehabilitation Hospital has invited Pet Partners Susan Ribnick and her Golden-mix Solovino to make weekly visits to the newly renovated hospital physical therapy gyms. Animal-assisted activity/therapy programs have been part of the campus but, thanks to Hospital Director Beth Chenowith and Physical Therapy Director Alison Sinsky, this is the first Delta team to visit the hospital PT/OT areas.
“We work directly with the therapists to learn what the goals are for the patients,” says Ribnick. “Both the kids and the seniors respond so well to having the dog be part of their sessions, and Solovino is an eager participant in the whole arrangement. We use a lot of creativity to see what we can do to achieve these particular goals. Many seniors find having a therapy dog as part of their session is a great motivation and we usually can find something the dog will do to make everyone smile. These visits are rewarding, especially when we see the progress that is made each week. We laugh a lot so it’s gotta help.” (2007)

Bulverde - Pet Partner Lynne Watson found an added benefit to having a Pet Partner used to working around seniors. She and her NewfoundlandMax are members of Delta San Antonio and visit regularly at a facility for patients with Alzheimer’s. At the facility, Max must move in very close so the residents can reach him for pats and hugs, and he must negotiate wheelchairs. Recently, Watson’s 90-year-old mother fell and required a wheelchair for a week. Watson says, “When we brought her home and wheeled her into the house, Max came running up and sat down in front of her as if to say, ‘I know what to do with these.’ What a gift in life to be his Pet Partner.” (2007)

Houston, Sugarland - Sister Marion Nixon, and her dogs have been volunteering at Shrine Hospitals since 1993. She provides animal-assisted activities and love to recovering kids who have received Shrine Hospital medical care. She continues to do this in spite of that fact that she’s recovering from major surgery herself.
Nixon, has found a way to help with children’s rehabilitation. She has five Pet Partners teams (four dogs and a cockatiel) visit the Shine Hospital every month. The children at the hospital are wheeled in looking for some fun, and the Pet Partners don’t disappoint. DeniseMasterson and her sharp eyed, brown Welsh Terrier, Theolonius (Rt.) got the ball rolling. Jennifer Lyle and her Peekapoo, Scooter, popped in and joined the merry band. Marty and Brenda Haines were preceded by Katy, a big, old Golden Retriever, little Steffi, aCavallier King Charles Spaniel, and . Nixon’s own white poodle named MiMi. The children enjoyed hugging and stroking the animals and it was OK with the animals too. The children will return to their homes soon, disabilities repaired, and with some happy memories thanks to our very special animal lovers and their teammates. (2007)

Mansfield - Weekly visits have become a very special time for Pet Partners Abby Wilson and her black, Australian Shepherd Shorty, as they make a difference in the lives of the seniors at Mansfield Nursing Center. Wilson writes, “Our first resident was an 80-year-old lady who just loved on Shorty and couldn’t wait to see us each week. She had him get on her bed. He was gentle and loving and you could see it in her eyes how very much she loved this interaction. What joy this brought her. She kept a framed photo of her and Shorty by her bed until the day she died.” Wilson also tells of two seniors who just sit in their chairs most of the day. They are blind, but respond to Shorty and come out of their darkness and sadness when he nudges and moves close to them so they can pet him.
The team also visits HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Arlington where they work with the patients and a therapist. “A lot of these patients are seniors,” says Wilson, “and while doing their rehab, Shorty provides interaction with hand therapy, physical and occupational therapy via petting and brushing, and helps keep their mind off their pain and discomfort.”
Recently retired from HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, Wilson now spends several days a week participating in the pet therapy she loves. Along with representing Delta Society, this is an outreach ministry for her church that has several other Pet Partners in its congregation who visit as well. (2007)

Taylor - Australian Shepherd Lucchese and Tami Stone began their visits as Pet Partners in November 2005, at the SPJST Rest Home. At each visit they encountered an elderly gentleman, Mr. B., who would say things like, “Dogs bite, dogs always remember when you have done them wrong, etc.” Stone would acknowledge the comments, wish him a good morning, and would always tell him goodbye when they left. On their Christmas morning visit, Mr. B was the first resident that they saw. To Stone’s delight, he smiled and reached for Lucchese! Stone relates, “We visited with him for awhile, and then continued our rounds. As we left that morning, we bid him a Merry Christmas. He responded, ‘It is a very merry Christmas, because you and Lu came to see me.’ Mr. B was one of our biggest fans at the rest home until his passing at Christmas time in 2007.” (2007)

 

Scooter, Pet Partners Teammate of Anita Edson, visits with residents of the C. C. Young Retirement Community in Dallas.

 

Utah

American Fork - When Alan Cunningham learned about organized pet therapy groups he became very interested, but didn’t think his dogs could pass the evaluation. Once he realized other animals could do therapy work, he considered a cat.
As a relief veterinarian Cunningham works at several different clinics—some with pets that need homes. At one, Cunningham encountered one cat that was extremely friendly; she loved to be held. The technician told him “We have named her Meg. She just showed up at the front door, pregnant, and ready to have kittens. The kittens were born and later placed in homes and Meg was then spayed.”
Meg quietly purred as Cunningham held her; she seemed so contented. He had found the perfect cat for a Pet Partner and decided to take her home.
Meg passed her evaluation and a few weeks later, the team received their identification tag from Delta Society. Eventually, they were assigned to an elderly care center where every month the activities calendar includes “Meg, the cat.” Cunningham notes, “I’m told people inquire about Meg days in advance of our visit. They want to make sure that they don’t miss her, and will arrange their activities around her arrival. When we are there, I witness the miracle of the human–animal bond. I see patients that sit, lonely and unhappily in their wheelchairs, brighten with life when they hold Meg. She seems to give them something that nothing else can—perhaps a sense of being wanted, of belonging. And I hope for many more years to be able to witness this beautiful and miraculous marvel with Meg, the Cat. (2007)

Virginia

Charlottesville

Washington

Redmond - Deb McKinney never ceases to be amazed at the responses her five-year-old Pomeranian Mocha elicits in the people they visit as Pet Partners. “I will not easily forget the woman in a wheelchair who held Mocha on her lap during one of our visits to a skilled nursing residence and refused to give her back. When I gently insisted, she raced away with a bewildered Mocha perched precariously on her lap. Fortunately, I was firmly attached to the other end of Mocha’s leash and was able to quickly retrieve her. Nor will I forget the gentleman who repeatedly insisted upon buying Mocha until I explained that she is priceless and would never be for sale. When we started volunteering at the facility, I was sure the residents would enjoy Mocha’s visits but I wasn’t prepared for the staff’s enthusiastic reaction. They look forward to her visits as much as the residents, and Mocha is thrilled when they regularly stop to give her a quick hug or a pat on the head as she makes her way along the hallways during her weekly visits.” (2007)

Seattle - Who says a dog can’t do the Hokey Pokey? Lexie, a seven-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who adores people loves to dance. Her Pet Partner, Marcia Browning Harrington writes, “The Bayview Manor Retirement Community offers full service intergenerational childcare and encourages interaction between tiny tots and seniors. It’s all about attitude and remembering what it’s like to be a child, carefree, happy and just having fun.
“The Children’s Director turns on the music and takes a page out of The Ellen Degeneres Show—it’s time to dance. The little children form a circle and even ‘Captain Jack,’ an affectionately revered senior resident who wears his Captain’s hat, is ready to clap his hands and grin as the music plays ‘You put your right foot in and put your right foot out, and you shake it all about,’ everyone sings. Lexie is ready for the show. Lexie doesn’t mind being held and having her owner ‘put her right foot in,’ she’s just a sweet, affectionate brown and white doggie with long floppy ears, big brown loving eyes, who attracts a lot of attention. Everyone wants to pet her and receive her kisses. She’s a happy go lucky dog who likes to wag her white tail, travel, and thinks riding in a car is heaven. She wears her Delta vest proudly along with her volunteer badge, it’s a lot better than hanging around the house watching Animal Planet!” (2007)

Wisconsin

Madison - Brussels Griffon Misty Sue and her Pet Partner Jim Lackore have been brightening the lives of patients at the Don and Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare facility. Visits to hospice patients are always rewarding, but one proved to be their most memorable to date. The team entered the room of Ray, a slightly-built man in his late 70s who was losing his fight with cancer. His family had gathered from as far away as Tennessee to be with him during his last days.
Lackore writes, “After receiving permission, I put Misty Sue on the bed. Ray’s eyes brightened and his frail hands immediately began to cover Misty Sue with broad and loving strokes. “The family was delighted, noting the obvious joy Misty Sue had brought their loved one.
The next morning, Lackore received a request from the volunteer coordinator to return to the facility that day. H e agreed and he and Misty Sue were back in Ray’s room that afternoon. Lackore had noticed that though Ray’s condition had deteriorated significantly, he still managed a feeble smile he saw Misty Sue. Ray petted her for a few moments, then Misty Sue settled in his lap as Ray’s family talked in subdued voices. In hopes of ending the visit on an upbeat note, Lackore put Misty Sue through her tricks. Ray’s grandchildren were delighted when they were allowed to shake the dog’s paw. Lacklore and Misty Sue said good-bye with a promise to return the following Monday. Two days later, Ray died , perhaps a bit easier thanks to the ministrations of Misty Sue. (2007)

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