Our
German shorthair, Nellie, has become a nursing home visitor.
Looking
for meaningful retirement activity, Mike decided he wanted to engage in a “take
your dog to a nursing home” program. (I think they call it “animal therapy.”) Such
a program is not organized in our community, so he has worked on his own to arrange
appointments for Nellie to visit local nursing homes. He enjoys doing it and
Nellie is happy enough to wag her tail at a few people and allow them to pet
her. So far, Mike thinks these visits have gone well and he has developed a “business
card” for this activity.
This
morning Mike and Nellie visited Orchards Rehabilitation Center and I tagged
along so that we could also shop the Rosauer’s (regional grocery store) 13-hour
cereal sale while we were out. I thought my presence during the visit was a bit
of a distraction, but it was an opportunity to get a few pictures. The pictures
are a little fuzzy – probably because I was trying to be surreptitious. Still –
the love shines through.
Of
course, not all residents are interested. Some are happy enough to see Nellie
and pat her. And then there are the true dog lovers who embrace her
wholeheartedly and gush a bit – and those are the ones for whom the effort is
made. I say that – but sometimes you just don’t know the impact. Not everyone
is effusive. Who knows? Perhaps some of the quiet ones were more deeply touched than they let on.
For
now, the effort to reach out is on Mike’s part. It would be nice to
receive a few “please come back” calls. Time will tell.
Mike's other retirement job is to drive a food pick-up route for the food bank twice a week. We had no idea that the food bank regularly picks up food from the grocery and convenience stores as well as restaurants. I think he enjoys that, too. KW
That is so nice! I bet Dad and Nellie made those people's day.
ReplyDeleteI agree! What a thoughtful gift to give those people who need a doggie love. I'll bet it made the day for quite a few people.
ReplyDeleteThat's the Mike I know!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't familiar with Pet Therapy (as it's known in Singing River Hospital's rehab floor), but when Martha was there we found out that a regular group of pets visited every Wednesday afternoon; English bulldogs, schnauzers, cocker spaniels, and others. Most patients came to look forward to the visits and some of the pets developed quite a following.
If there were any folks there that objected, I never heard them. Regardless, if even one patient benefited.... well, give Mike another merit badge. He's earned it.
Mike and Nellie have two appointments next week and he has one preliminary appointment. It would be nice if other people were doing it, but on the other hand, several patients mentioned that they regularly receive visits from their own dog.
ReplyDeleteI guess through the merit badge program and Scouting projects a young person learns how he can help others through outreach. In adulthood, we have to design our own projects. We'll see where it takes him.