First Hospice Visit Today

[Linda Scott]

Charley and I did our very first therapy dog hospice visit today.  We were suppose to see two patients at a facility but besides our patients there were about twenty other patients for Charley to greet and get this good boy pets done. As a handler, I truly enjoyed today as well as my dog because of all the smiles he brought. 

 

Working with a hospice organization that has such a great support from the staff has been the best experience this year. As with any visit we do not have any expectations, and that seems to work for us whenever we go for therapy visits. Not only do the dogs have to have the therapy dog certification but I had to attend a 6 week course - not even what you would think when you hear the word "hospice".  I would encourage anyone in this group to find a hospice group and volunteer with your dog!

If anyone has any questions, please post and I will try to answer your concerns. 

 

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

How mellow is Charley?  I would love to get into therapy dog work with Cubbie, but even at 2 he is still pretty hyper.  I LOVES to meet new people and I am afraid that his excitement might be too much for people.  He is only 20lbs so he is small, but he packs a lot of energy into that little body.

[Karina]

This moves me to tears. We are moving a towns over and this really reminds me about the same dream for Rosie. Rosie passed assisted therapy class in San Francisco but she is still a little jumpy on people and I was told to wait until she can fully control herself. Do you have tips for keeping my Rosie calm during the visits? Thank you for doing what you are doing. I am sure you make people's days. Thank you for the inspiration.

[Linda Scott]

Hi Karina,

To keep Rosie calm during visits, you should try taking her on a long walk or some extra play time to drain some of that energy she has before you do a visit.  Each visit is different and each dog is different so there is really no one answer for a visit.  You also might want to put her in another training just so you and her both get that experience of being a team.  Working with her 10-20 minutes only a few times a week should help you get a handle on her.

 

Charley and Noble have been going to training even after they have been certified just to keep up the work I started.  We are lucky enough to have a training group that has small small dogs (8lbs) to the largest ones (200lbs) that meet and work on therapy exercises every week.  I am currently training my 3rd dog, but he is different because I got him when he was over a year old and now we have to break the bad habits before we can train with the new ones.

I would encourage you to try again, there have been so many therapy dogs that were working and are not and they have not been replaced.  We could do this everyday and still not meet the demand for them. 

Let me know how Rosie is doing and follow that dream.  Mine was seven years in the making before I was able to get started, and I work a full time job.

[Eva]

Congratulations Linda...it is a great joy when your dog makes others smile. I go every Sunday to an assisted living facility and they absolutely love my 2 different dogs. They each have their separate qualities that are good for different situations. The residents there look forward to seeing them. It has made quite the difference in all of our lives. For the sad part, some of them are terminal and are some of my hospice patients as well. I've had 2 deaths this year already and I've know them for over 2 years. So a little piece of my heart is broke when you hear of their passing. But on the other hand, how many times and great memories I have of them playing with the dogs, and just smiling when they come. It makes such a difference.

  For Karina... I found if my one dog is too hyper, I have Malibu play hard at the park before going there. Tire them out a bit. And you never know... once you get there, the dog may sense that people are older and more quiet and she may get the vibe to be mellow. It's a trial every time to see how they will react. Each visit you get under your belt it will get easier.

  LIke Linda said, working for a hospice can be very rewarding. They each have their own qualifications. At the assisted living place, there is no extra training or paperwork to do. I like that freedom, since I have enough paperwork to do in my own job! haha thanks for sharing. I am glad you found a fantastic place to volunteer. Eva