Guinness's "Practice" Therapy Visit

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Yesterday Guinness had his first "practice" therapy visit at a local Alzheimer Facility.  I was nervous about this because my Mom had dementia and passed away in a similar facility a couple of years ago....so I knew it would be a little emotional for me.  Actually, we both did fine.  When we first arrived, we went to the community room where there was a singer performing (very, very loud).  I didn't know how he would react to that.  My first thought was that he'd bark...thank goodness he didn't.  He stood there, tail wagging, taking it all in.  The patients loved him, and he loved them.  He wasn't shy at all.  We had a little problem with food on the floor...they had had "snacks" and Guinness thought he should help by cleaning up the floor.  I had to tell him to "leave it" a couple of times, and he eventually did.  I had trained him to sit right next to the wheel chair (or regular chair) for petting.  The problem is that he is short, and the patients had trouble reaching him.  They wanted him on their laps, and that's where he wanted to be.  So, that's what we did.  He was actually calmer in their laps than sitting along side the chairs (where he wanted to jump up to be closer to them).  He did give lots of kisses, which they loved, but I'm not sure that's actually a great idea.  I hope I didn't spoil things for the test in a couple of weeks by letting him get on the patients' laps.  I know for the actual test he needs to sit/stay next to the chair.  Anyway, it was a great experience.  He brought so much joy...they kept asking if he could come back today.  These people needed a reason to smile, and yesterday that was Guinness.  There were three other dogs from our class who also went...we each took a different section of the facility.  Everyone had the same reaction...that it was an amazingly fulfilling day for us and for our dogs.  I can't wait to go back.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Glad to hear that all went well. Guinness is a great size to be able to get on their laps. You will though have to be sure he learns it by request only though because there are many patients that although they love the dogs they don't want them too close. I might get that more than you will though strictly on Sophie's size vs. Guinesses'. Sophie intimidates some even though she isn't really that big! I remember in my hospice training class there was a lady that was going to be doing therapy work with her basset hound. He weighed 75 lbs (more than Lucy or Sophie). I asked her how that was going to work. He was too low to the ground to be petted, and she wasn't going to be able to pick him up! Don't think she had really thought too much about it. I was thinking she might have to pull him around in a wagon or something. Not sure how it ever worked out as I have not seen her since.

Anyway, glad all went well. A good 1st visit gets you excited to continue! Good luck with the test.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I know what you mean about patients not wanting the dog too close. I was actually shocked at how many yesterday asked me to put him in their lap. At first I wasn't sure that was the right thing to do, but the staff person encouraged me to go ahead as long as it was the patient that was asking. It was interesting that there wasn't a single person who showed any fear. The larger dogs (Lab, Great Pyrenees) who were in the other wings did have some patients who were fearful. I think the size alone must have been intimidating. Guinness looks like one of the stuffed dogs they all seem to keep on their beds. LOL

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

That's a great idea, Jane. I hadn't thought about sitting in a chair next to the patient and holding him myself. The patients thought he was a poodle. The first time this happened I explained he was a Labradoodle, but they just didn't understand that. So, from then on I just let them believe he was a poodle. LOL I have two more weeks before the test, and there's still some work to do...particularly with the supervised separation, and after yesterday I learned he needs to practice "leave it". He does that so well at home, but there were cake crumbs all over the floor, and he thought they must be for him.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

The other thing you might do, after the request for a lap visit, is carry a newly laundered blanket with you that you can place on the patient's lap, or on the bed, for Guinness to sit on. Sometimes the facility will provide a sheet you can use. Glad the visit went well. Did you find they all wanted to tell you about the dog they used to have?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It's so funny that you say that LInda. They all did! One woman in particular had a poodle named "Bobby", and she said Guinness looked just like him. She actually cried when she was holding Guinness. It made me sad and happy all at the same time. Guinness was so sweet with her....he never got impatient sitting on her lap. It was the staff person that actually said we need to move on so other patients could have a turn.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

It is so sweet the way the patients tell stories about the pets they had over the years. It is fun, as long as they don't try to keep your dog, which Alzheimer's patients have been known to do!

[Ann Kendig]

I'm glad that your practice visit went well Jane! I think what you are doing is so wonderful! I wish I could have been there to see your visit. I loved reading your story! When I take my guys to the Alzheimer's section where my mother is I can hear some of the residents hollering out, "Alice, (my Mom) you're babies are here! They love to see my guys but I won't take them into other residents rooms unless the activities director asks me. We are in our 3rd week of the CGC classes and have 3 more to go. Then we go onto the therapy classes. I can't wait!!!! I am so excited for you and I am so glad that it wasn't as hard for you to spend time in a facility similar to what your Mother had been in. (I hope that I will be able to take my dogs back to the same facility to visit after my Mom passes.) Sometimes, I wish that my two were smaller like Guinness so my mom could hold them on her lap like she did when they were little pups. There is a beautician that works in my Mother's facility. Her dog is soooo well behaved. When the ladies were getting their hair fixed they would hold her dog and they loved it! The nursing home didn't have a problem with her dog being in the beauty shop but the State Board did and told her she couldn't have her dog in there. What a shame. Anyway, good luck on your test and let us know how it went!!!!

[Missy & Bob Putnam]

Divot is not much of a "kisser" but I know when he tries to lick someone's face it's usually because they have food on their face. I keep him away from their mouth. Your visits will get more comfortable especially when you go back to visit the same facility on a regular basis and get to know the residents. It really is a wonderful experience.