Saturday, October 27, 2012

Oldie but Goodie from 08/24/2008

Another Farmer Story

Yesterday was his Saturday to visit the kids at Lancaster Library. He always seems to get extra excited to go there, I think because this visit is a "light" visit, compared with the nursing home. I really think Farmer bears the weight of the nursing home on his shoulders sometimes. It is a much more serious place, so he looks forward to his time with the kids, just having some fun!

Because this library is in the heart of the city, we spend time with kids from all walks of life, sometimes they are with parents, sometimes just big brothers and sisters, sometimes they wander in by themselves, and I don't always know what their backgrounds or lives are like.

So, Farmer was busy with a brother and sister, ages about 7 and 3, mom was with them, things were going well...there was a boy quietly hanging in the background, watching. The little girl, 3-yr-old, was trying to "read" to Farmer so I didn't want to interrupt them, but Farmer just kept gravitating toward this boy. There were no parents with him, and he seemed shy. I, mistakenly, I might add (LOL) tried to interrupt Farmer's intentions and keep him with this little girl until she finished reading (although at 3, her attention span was not very long anyhow!)..but he kept INSISTING on going over to this little boy, so finally I wised up, and gave in to him...I asked the boy if he would like to get a book and read to Farmer, and his eyes lit up and he said YES!...so off he went to get a book...and meanwhile the 3-yr-old finished.

The boy came back with his book and sat with Farmer, after a few "face kisses" and some bonding, he started to read. I realized then that he was a very slow reader, and a little bit self-conscious about it. He was having some trouble with words, and I helped him when he got stuck, and at one point the 7-yr-old from the first family helped him...but, as children will be, the 7-yr-old, who was a much better reader, started asking him questions about how old he was, obviously showing his disbelief at how poor of a reader the other boy was.

But it didn't seem to matter, because right there was Farmer, and Farmer didn't care how long he took to read, or how many words he got stuck on, from the look on Farmer's face, this boy was the BEST reader in the whole wide world! So, the 7-yr-old got bored, and walked away, and next thing I know, the slow-reading boy and Farmer are sprawled across the floor, finishing their story.

It's at moments like these, that I realize that I am just merely a vessel...somehow I was chosen by God to shelter and feed this dog, so that he can go out into the world and do what he was always meant to do!

And I just sit back and watch, in wonder, as these little miracles happen...and for Farmer, its just all in a day's work!

Becki
York County

Oldie but Goodie from 04/22/2008

Sunday with Farmer

Just wanted to share a little story with you all about our visit yesterday. I'm not real good at standing up and sharing stories in front of everyone, but now that I have THIS avenue to share...well, you'll probably all be bored to tears with my stories before too long...LOL!

When Farmer and I started down our first hall at Susquehanna Rehab, we noticed that one of the guest rooms was overflowing with family. That usually means that someone is nearing the end of their time on this earth, and indeed, that was the case. I don't think it was someone that we visit regularly, didn't recognize the name, but the family was, obviously, distressed. We had stopped to visit another lady in a wheelchair, and it just seemed as though Farmer's presence was drawing all of these family members to him. They just kept coming over and hugging him, usually with tears, one of the women said, "Farmer, can you go into Room 7 and ask her please not to leave us yet?" and she started to cry. And there was a little boy who kept coming over to Farmer, I think for a short diversion from all the sadness, much of which he probably didn't really comprehend.

Farmer just sat there and quietly gave them what they each needed.

So, even though he couldn't provide therapy for the person in that room, he sure seemed like he was a huge help to her family.

Good boy, Farmer!
Becki
York County

Oldie but Goodie / 03/08/2008

That's One Big Cat!

This is one of those stories that you had to have been there. The sight of it was the funny part.

The activity director at Popsicle's facility had a special request for him to visit this particular elderly woman. She loved cats. So the director and I went in to her room with Popsicle. Other nursing staff followed behind us to watch. I'm thinking the resident must really love cats and the staff wants to watch her joy as she sees Popsicle.

The resident was a very very petite, adorable elderly woman. She was sitting in a chair and motioned to bring Popsicle over closer. Then she tried to pick Popsicle up! Remember, Popsicle is a very large 25 pound cat, and the resident was very very petite. I'd say Popsicle was 1/3rd her weight. The staff started laughing at the sight. (It dawned on me why they followed us in there.... they knew beforehand she wanted to hold this cougar-sized cat and they wanted to see that.) Of course she couldn't pick Popsicle up, so she wanted me to place him on her tiny lap. Well.... in order to do that, I had to fully extend my arms out, with a 25 pound (very cooperative!) big boy laying over my hands. I gently let his legs barely touch her lap (no way was I going to let his full weight on such a tiny person) and the resident made a little expression on her face.... like "uh-oh this guy is big! " I held my arms out, bearing Popsicle's full weight.... my arms shaking as his heaviness set in and my muscles were tiring. LOL The activity director and the staff in the room roared, watching me strain so this adorable petite woman could *pretend* she was holding Popsicle on her lap. She was so delighted to have *held* such a big boy.

I worked hard that visit! Which I am glad. Next time, she was no longer there. One of the sadnesses of our work.

Chris Helga & Popsicle
Perry County

Oldie but Goodie / Pee Mail 3/7/2008

KPETS is discontinuing our old forum and moving to a blog format. Some of these old post are too great to have disappear. So the next couple posts will be from the 'archives'.

Pee Mail / by Mary Gottfried

Murray and I do home visits with 3 Autistic brothers, ages 6, 8, and 12- it's like giving "Dog Lessons".

The mom realizes that bringing a pet into their often chaotic household would not be a good idea at this time, but she does want her kids to learn about animals and how to interact appropriately with dogs.

Murray and I have been visiting for a few months- the boys have learned how to approach a dog, how to pet a dog, and how to interact in a respectful, kind way with Murray.

A few weeks ago it was time to learn how to walk a dog on a leash. So mom, dad, the 3 boys, and Murray and I took off for a walk around their neiborhood. After sorting out in what order the boys would take turns (oldest to youngest), and how long each turn would be (switch at every other mailbox), we began walking Murray.

As we walked along, they had lots of questions, and I would point out things that Murray was doing, like sniffing the ground, and explain why. Finally one of them asked why Murray kept peeing- he was marking at just about every driveway as we walked along. So I explained that while humans can leave messages for each other by computer e-mail, dogs leave messages for each other by "pee-mail"- that Murray was getting messages left by other dogs that they had been there!

The kids thought this was hilarious, and Murray never had such an enthralled audience to his urination!

Mary and Murray

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

KPETS and Kollege Kids (90+ of them))


Touching Lives * Warming Hearts in York College


Email from Harriet Hombach ( KPETS Evaluator/Volunteer:

"Thanks to all the KPETS teams who did a remarkably, fantastic job at York College last Thursday. If you were not there, you missed lots of fun with YCP  staff and students. As you can see from the below email, we have already been invited back for next spring!!

Thanks to : Janelle w/Bouy; Cheyenne w/Surf; Christine w/JoJo; Jessey w/ Bandit;  Elaine w/ Ami; Elaine w/ Toby; Jan w/ Twiggy; Fran w/ Okra; and my boy Toon. (I sure hope I did not miss anyone!!!)

KPETS teams are the best!!
Harriet"

----------Original Message----------

From: Jessi Nocella
Date: Oct 16, 2012 3:13:32 PM
Subject: Re: next Thurs. Oct. 11 at YCP
To: Harriet Hombach <hubamus@verizon.net>
 
Harriet, Fran and KPETS members,

Once again, thank you for such a successful event! We thoroughly enjoyed having KPETS owners and dogs at YCP to help boost the students' mood (as well as some of our staff). We have truly appreciated working with your group and look forward to future events together. We've heard wonderful feedback from the students and our estimate was that at least 90+ students were touched by the event.

Have a wonderful fall and winter. We'll be in touch for the spring event!

Jessi Nocella on behalf of Counseling Services

Friday, October 12, 2012

KPETS at the 2012 Mutt Mixer

Saturday, October 6 was the 2012 Annual Mutt Mixer to benefit "Furry Friends Network Rescue".

Michelle Carroll, KPETS workshop instuctor, invited KPETS to join in the event that is so near and dear to her heart. KPETS staffed an info booth to share our mission and tell others about the joys of pet therapy volunteering.

Several teams helped staff the booth throughout the day, working in one to two-hour shifts. Check out the fun they had.

BIG THANKS to all who helped out.

Tales of Two Dogs

New KPETS Therapy Teams inititated a new program at The Arthur Hufnagel Public Library of Glen Rock, PA.

Jenn Irwin along with Hillary and Madilyn Bull and the Arthur Hufnagle Public Librarty created the "Tales of Two Dogs" Program. Or should the be "TAILS" of Two Dogs:)

Click here to view the program flyer! and find out more.

Great job ladies!

KPETS Komforts Kollege Kids

Dizzy, Sara and Remi don't know whether or not the new freshmen at McDaniel College are feeling a little homesick, or experiencing their first time on a campus away from family or friends.
But regardless, on Tuesday they were only too happy to:

more . . . . from the Baltimore Sun

and

More . . . (from McDaniel College Website