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Dr. Paws Forum
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A nice story submitted by one of our members:
Grandpa Pete, Frances, and Sam Hi. I am a recently certified member: December 2005 and I would like to share this story with you: My black lab, Sam (Samantha) and I were certified as a Pet Therapy Team in December 2005. Prior to being certified, we had made several 3.5 hour car trips to visit Granda Pete in his nursing home. So, along with our 3 testing/observing sessions, we were gaining experience as a Pet Therapy Team through our visits with Grandpa Pete and the other nursing home residents. After being certified in December 2005, we made our first official, solo visit in Northern Michigan. I had anticipated staying for one hour, as we had done each time during our 3 training sessions in a couple of hospitals in lower Michigan (Dr. Paws Pet Assisted Therapy). But, when we arrived to visit the patients were sitting in the common area, our visit lasted only 15 minutes. Sam was apprehensive and appeared uncertain as to her role. And, paying attention to my dog's behavior, she let out with a distressed whine that I had never heard before, and knew it was time to go. Our first visit was less than successful and had lasted a mere 15 minutes. A week later, however, I learned that Grandpa Pete was not doing well. Sam and I set out for the 3.5 hour drive to spend time with Grandpa Pete. It was a solemn and stressful time, yet Sam kept things on the lighter side. There was several relatives in Grandpa Pete's room, including myself and Sam. At times, when it got too quiet in the room for too long, Sam would pick up a squeaky toy, squeak it loudly and often and run around the room and drop it in the laps of the others, inviting them to play. This brought smiles to their faces and they gladly played with her. At other times, Sam would simply go up to someone and rest her head on their lap, or lay down and rest her head on someone's foot. When I sat next to Granpa Pete, holding his hand, Sam would come over and gently nuzzle our hands and proceed to lick the palm of Grandpa's hand. While he was not very responsive, he knew we were there, evidenced in the raise of eyebrows, a slight change in facial expression, the squeeze of a hand, or an ocassional, slight smile. Sam and I spent 42 hours in Grandpa Pete's room. After awhile, Sam got used to the comings and goings of nursing home and hospice staffs as well as visitors. She would simply stay put as people came and went, but knew when someone needed consoling. Even as Grandpa Pete lay dying in his nursing home bed, he was still teaching me and Sam how to be kind, compassionate, and understanding. We had to depart on that Sunday. As we were leaving, Grandpa Pete squeezed my hand and Sam took one last look, gave out a knowing whine, as if to say goodbye and we left. We found out that Grandpa Pete has passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon. He left this world a better place for all with whom he came in contact, including myself and Sam. Thursday, of the same week that Grandpa Pete died, Same and I made our way for our second Pet Therapy visit. She was a changed dog. I was a changed dog handler. Together, having the experience with Grandpa Pete for 42 hours, Sam and I instinctively knew more of what we had to do. Sam more willingly went up to each resident, nuzzled their hand, licked them, or simply stood still to be stroked by the hands of the residents. She brought smiles to faces that night. One woman, sitting on the couch, placed on hand on each side of Sam's head, nuzzled and kissed her. Sam responded with a wiggly tail and a cooperative stance. She returned the kisses and nuzzling. I was very happy after that visit. It was much more successful than the first, lasting a quality 30 minutes this time, instead of a brisk 15 minutes the first time. It was hard to make myself go to the nursing home with Sam that night, after having lost Grandpa Pete only 3 days earlier, but I felt happier and lighter after that visit. I knew I was doing what Grandpa Pete wanted -- doing things to make other people happy, just like he had done all his 91 years. I know that Sam and I are well on our way as a successful Pet Therapy Team. Sincerely, Frances & Sam
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