Sounds of laughter, chatter and even song could be heard from the room of Hospice patient Marguerite Hunter at Sunrise Senior Living in Annapolis Monday afternoon.
The joy wasn’t brought about by a comical TV show or even people really—it came from a dog named Hailey.
Dogwood Acres Pet Retreat in Davidsonville recently teamed up with Hospice of the Chesapeake for its Caring Canines program. The goal of the program is to enrich the lives of those in the community who are suffering.
“I started Caring Canines with the mission of partnering with local organizations and teaming them up with pet therapy teams, so they could provide a peaceful presence and unconditional love to people in need,” said Dogwood Acres owner Audrey Reichardt.
About a year ago, Reichardt started Caring Canines to serve as a bridge for companion teams that either needed certification, or needed help finding an organization to work with. Now, Dogwood Acres has seven certified pet therapy teams.
Therapy dog Hailey and her handler Dee Muskin visited Sunrise Senior Living on Monday to spend time with Hunter, a Hospice patient. From the moment Hailey walked in the door, Hunter began sharing memories of her days on her uncle’s farm.
Hunter spoke of the animals she cared for when she was a kid, and even sang tunes to Hailey while she petted her.
Hospice Healing and Arts Coordinator Johanna Boyer said the Caring Canines program offers a therapeutic aspect to patient’s lives.
“It just offers that unconditional love of a dog,” Boyer said. “It’s just the way [the patients] smile—the way they light up when they see the dog. You could see that with Ms. Marguerite…Just seeing that smile gives you goose bumps.”
Dogwood Acres Caring Canines program also works with the YWCA of Anne Arundel County, offering support to victims of domestic violence.
But it was being involved with Hospice patients that made Hailey’s handler, Muskin want to get involved.
“About two years ago my aunt was in hospice and my aunt loved [Hailey],” Muskin said. “So I took Hailey in and the first thing she did was put her paws on the bed and lay her head down so [my aunt] could pet her. While we were in that facility people just loved her.”
Hailey’s ability to help Muskin’s aunt in her time of need inspired Muskin to become involved with dog therapy, so the pair could continue to help others in need of a little unconditional love.
“It has been shown over and over again the healing these dogs can provide just by being there,” Reichardt said. “It really is a universal thing, and there is just something about that, that makes it so unique.”
For more information on volunteering with Caring Canines or with Hospice of the Chesapeake visit their websites.
