Miracle Max

It never ceases to amaze me how these therapy dogs affect peoples' therapy sessions. Today Max and I went to the Rehab Hospital to work with the physical therapists and their patients. Max and I worked with a gentleman who need to work on balance while seated and using his left arm/hand. We'll call him "Bob".

The therapist, (we'll call Jill) had Max jump up on the mat table so Bob could brush him from his wheelchair. Max gladly obliged and hopped right up. As Max sat close to the edge of the table, his friend leaned forward to brush Max with a little help from Jill and his wife, who was there watching and giving him moral support. Bob brushed Max using his right hand but working on his balance while doing so. After a few minutes, it was time to lean back and take a break.

After a brief rest, the next thing we were to help with was having Bob pet Max with his left hand. He was instructed of this next exercise, so he leaned front - without any help! ! Eyes widened and "good jobs" were heard from everyone! He worked hard to lift his arm up enough to pet Max on his back, then stroking him back and forth from shoulders to tail. There were no complaints from Max. He loved every minute of it.

Rest time - and as if to say "thank you", Max was licking his hands. He's not usually a licker! I apologized but Bob and his wife both said it was fine, as their dog at home was quite the kisser. Now you must know, Max was very thorough when he was kissing his hands; they were 'schlecked' on the back and on the palms.  I did pull out a wet wipe from my bag and offered it to Bob to clean up. Jill took it and helped unfold the wipe and then handed it to him. He used is left hand to wipe his right - top and bottom. Then he used his right hand to wipe his left. He did the top and Jill asked, "Can you get your palm". He turned his arm/wrist so his palm was almost face-up. Jill stated with eyes wide, "I didn't know you could do that!". His wife said the same! Bob commented, "Me, either. You should name him 'Miracle Max'".

Not a bad idea! My kids. I'm so proud of each and  every one of them!

Sammy made an impression

While working away in the office today, a lady stopped by to request a visit for two special needs adult ladies that she supervises in their group home. Her name was Gayle. I knew she looked familiar from somewhere but could not place her. She knew me from way back a few years ago when she attempted to get her dog registered with KPETS. But her dog was dog agressive so we could not register them.

Gayle then mentioned that she met us at the Pet Expo the other weekend with one of her special ladies. It was coming back to me. She mentioned that, since meeting Sammy, her friend could not stop taking about my boy! She had met another dog that day as well, but she was really hooked on Sammy.

Gayle stated that as her friend leaned forward in her wheelchair to reach for Sammy, that was further than she ever does for her - even to put her coat on.
She stated that her friend talked more to me than she had ever talked to any stranger, that she has ever seen.

She continued to talk about Sammy for days, about how she fed him treats. Gayle said that her friend's speech was so much more understandable when she spoke to us.

My boy! I'm so proud of him. Just like Podley did, he's making lasting impressions!

Zeke's Big Debut - 11/22/10

 Today was a big day for the one year old Zeke, the youngest golden in our clan. His first day with me on a speaking engagement AND his first day doing real AAT!


The lunch speaking engagement had me more nervous than usual. You see, it was at the Hamilton Club in Lancaster - a rather classy establishment with a wonderful reputation. We were invited to speak for AMBUCS at noon about KPETS - Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services. Taking Zeke was the wise decision, I hoped. With four registered therapy dogs at home to choose from, Zeke seemed that he would be the easiest for this type of setting. And if things didn't go as well as I'd like, I could always blame it on - he's a puppy and still learning.

Having never been in the city, Zeke was awsome walking along the busy sidewalk with cars and buses whizzing by. I had been concerned as he has been going through that second fear stage puppies can go through.

Arriving at the Hamilton Club and settling in the dining area, was not a problem either; although, he was a bit nosey  about things,when my friend, Cheryl, held him as I set up my laptop and projector. But during the luncheon and my talk, he was a saint! I was so proud (and a pleasently surprised!).
But that was not the end of his day. Monday's I am scheduled to do AAT at the Lancaster Rehab Hospital, but I usually use Sammy, my nine year old golden or Max, my three year old golden. Today would be Zeke's first visit in this type of setting.
I had emailed and asked permission to bring the rookie and all were game to give him a shot!
Enter  Zeke!

Our first assignment was to walk along side of an elderly lady with a walker, the kind with wheels. Piece of cake! He was not afraid, he did not pull. My boy! ! !



Karen and Zeke's KPETS nametag pic. It's official!



Our second assigment was for Zeke to retrieve a toy that a patient tossed while they stood - working on balance and endurance. THIS had me concerned. You see, at home, retrieving is not Zeke's favorite thing to do. His favorite thing is to GET the toy, but keep it away from all his 'siblings'! If all 'kids' are inside and Zeke is alone, I can get him to retrieve if I try really hard, by running the other way when he get the toy. Making it fun to chase me and bring the toy to me How was this gonna work here at the hospital? !

The first toss went about ten feet. The suspense, will he??? He turned around, saw the toy and took off after it AND brought it back! He did this for about six times and then it was time for the patient to sit and rest! HE did it! My boy! !

Our next venture was another walk - this time with a regular walker, with no wheels. This walk was A LOT slower than the first one, but the little champ did great! I difinaltey needed the second leash to keep  him along side but using the click/treat as we walked made it go really well!

Another patient needed Zeke to retrieve but I could tell we may be loosing Zeke's interest. He did fine about four times but then he did his second favorite thing. Took the toy, flopped over on his back and held the toy between his front paws, like a baby holding a bottle. Ah, stole hearts with that act. The patient and therapist didn't seem to care that he didn't bring it right back. Chuckles could be heard throughout the gym.



 Realizing the pooch was getting tired, our next assignment was to lie on a matt table beside a patient, just so she could focus on her weaker side and make her smile during a therapy session that is not a whole lot of fun. Perfect timing. Zeke rested along side her for a short time. Then he's get up and reposition. He wasn't the best at snuggling but I think if I do some click/treat training for this, how hard can it be, right?

Sammy 11/15 visit at Lancaster Rehab hospital

Sammy's visit at the Lancaster Rehab Hospital went as usual with nothing real eventful, until.....After our hour-long visit working with the physical therapists and patients, we did our last round of saying our goodbyes. Nurses and therapists were all lined up at the long desk documenting their days accomplishments. Patients quietly waited for their escort back to their rooms. Sammy strutted his stuff through the middle of the quiet gym toward the door with me walking proudly beside the star of the hour. As we were right in the middle of all the silence, we heard the baarruuppp! All heads lifted and turned to look as snickers and giggles came from all regions of the gym. I apologized for the boy as he has no manners when it comes to burping. He made his exit with all in smiles, including me giggling the whole way home. :)

Sammy 11/23/10 Visit to Lancaster General Mental Health Unit

It's the 4th Tuesday of the month, mabye about the fourth time or so Sammy was scheduled to visit the Mental Health Unit at local Lancaster General Hospital. But today would be extra fun for my 9 year old golden retriever.
You see, many years ago when Sammy was two, he met a friend at another hospital where he was doing AAT with physical, occupational and speech therapists. Sammy had fallen in love with Shari, the speech therapist. He would always know when she was nearby. He knew her scent and would loose all focus on what he was doing.
Today, when we arrived at the hospital and as we walked down the hall to sign in at the volunteer office, I saw her coming towards us down the hall.  I knew she worked there as we had spoken before, but Sammy had not put it all together that she could possilby be there.
"Where's your Shari" is all I had to say and he started going in circles around me, looking far and wide for her as she hid in a sitting area off the busy hallway. He sniffed and sniffed and looked and then he saw her! Breaking the rules of a therapy dog, I let go of his leash so he could run the whole seven feet to the second love of his life (I'm number one). She promptly sat down on the carpet floor to be at his level and he snuggled as close to her as he could get. Whimpers and cries of joy came from the excited fluffy dog. Shari said she dressed appropriately by wearing khaki colors to hid an tell-tale signs of dog hair. The reunion excitement continues for at least ten minutes as we waited for our escort to take up to our unit for visits.
Co-workers came and tried to vie for the handsome boy's attention, but he would have little of it. He had his love and could barely take his eyes off of her. It may have helped that she had a cookie in her pocket for him.
Ah, but time to go to work. Our escort was ready for us to head to other direction and leave his love behind. As we went one way down the hall, he kept turning around looking for her as she ventured in the other direction to her office.
Finally we arrived at the elevator and loaded up to go to 8East. Our visit on the unit was more exciting than usual. For some reason, Sammy was a bit more animated and eager to play. Kinda like 'ah, I'm in love!'. He played with his favorite buddy, Shawn but worked the crowd as well. We did a few tricks - we did the Cha Cha, spin, circle, fly, under, weave, tada, to name a few. We really dazzled an older lady so much she said, "I've never seen a dog like that. He is really truely amazing". I'd have to agree. :)
We spent our hour with Sammy friends there and then headed back down to the volunteer office to sign out. As I talked with Dawn, Sammy mooched some treats from her too. This boy has a way with the women. Dawn was only allowed to give Sammy one treat per my request (he had had tons already). To melt her heart, he stood on the opposite side of her desk, laying is head on the edge of her desk looking up at her with big brown eyes as though saying, "but my mommy doesn't feed me". She was enamored by the warmth of his eyes, but then something changed!
That smell, ears perked up, and Sammy went on high alert. What was it? Where is it? He had to find it! Around the corner, seated in the waiting area right outside the door was . . . . Shari! Oh man, here we go again! This time it was a little different. Sammy was beat. It had been a long visit, so this time he was just so content to be with her. Snuggling next to her for a belly rub, he relaxed in her presence. Ah, but another good-bye had to be said. Shari walked us down the hall to our exit, until the next time!

In Memory of Sammy's Friend John

Several years ago a co-worker's husband, John, was eventually diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer after months of testing. Kathy told me at work one day that John's doctor had mentioned the fact that if John would like a dog, it could help him through this terrible journey they were about to face.  Mesothelioma and Alternative Therapies

Kathy originally asked me to look for a dog for John that was similar to my golden, Cinda. John fell in love with Cinda when he met her when he came to our office to have lunch with Kathy several months earlier. Cinda was an assistance dog in training and went to work with me quite often. I started to pursue some options but as things got close to the possibly of my finding a pooch for her, she was having second thoughts. She didn't have to say much. I knew Kathy and dogs were not her thing. And the thought of having a puppy or a dog after John was gone was just too much for her to comprehend. I understood completely, as did John. John and Kathy were a beautiful admirable couple - wonderful examples of what a marriage should be.

Realizing a dog in John's life would be beneficial even if not living in his home with him, I offered him visits with my other young golden, Sammy, a young puppy working on becoming a registred therapy dog. I told John and Kathy, they could come over and visit Sammy  at our home until Sammy got to know him or I could bring him to their home (if ok with Kathy). They bonded very quickly. I eventually offered them that if they would like to take Sammy home for an afternoon, I would be ok with that.

Well, that was the beginning of very beautiful relationship. Many weekend afternoons, I'd say good-bye to Sammy as John and Kathy would take him to their home. Sammy was there for various picnics with friends and family. They would give me pictures of my boy with John in his garden or just playing in the living room or patio.

As months went by the inevitable became more obvious. Instead of taking Sammy themselves, they would just invite me to bring him over for shorter and shorter visits. John wanted so badly to get on the floor with Sammy, but that was no longer a possibility. Then on one visit, they gave me all the toys that  Sammy had accumulated while spending time in his second home.  As I left that day, they thanked us. I knew that wold be our last visit with John.

Sadly, John did pass away. Kathy called me and asked that Sammy please be in receiving line with the family for the Visitation. I wasn't comfortable doing that but I would definitely bring him along when I came to pay my respects.

When I arrived at the funeral home, the line of people waiting to support John's family was lined up outside and along the front of the parking lot. I put on Sammy's therapy dog vest and his black scarf and proceeded to the end of the line. As we waited in the parking lot line, folks would walk by and recognize Sammy. They would say "Oh, this must be Sammy. We've heard so much about him" or "Sammy was at the picnic we attended with John and Kathy". I was amazed at how many people knew him or of him.

But the biggest surprise was yet to come. As Sammy and I approached the family, I could tell they saw us in advance. When it was our turn, Kathy and her two daughters shed a few tears as they hugged Sammy gently before moving on to the next visitor. We proceeded through the line to the table holding John's urn. First we passed the family photo of John, Kathy and his family.  Then was the urn containing John's remains. As we took our next step, I stopped and the tears just flowed and flowed. There on the table, right next to John, was a beautifully framed picture of John's buddy, Sammy.

I  thank the Lord, my God for my precious boy and that he was able to help one man travel through his final and most difficult journey.