Wearing his training vest, King heads into the nursing home.
It’s pouring rain today, but I didn’t want to let that stop King & I from making a visit to our nursing home together. Since James retired from his career as a Therapy Dog, my regular visits to the nursing home had stopped. I have gone only on occasion to evaluate a new volunteer or to give a private lesson. I miss these folks – and they miss seeing my wonderful English Setters.
Our visit was planned to be brief. King & I arrived one-half-hour prior to lunchtime. A dog cannot visit during times food is served, so that kept us on schedule. King was well-received. Several of the old-time residents thought he was James. Correction was made – with an explanation that James had retired and King (related to James) would be making regular visits once be becomes certified through Bright Spot Therapy Dogs. Oh – were they thrilled to hear that!
King sat right in close to each person he met in a wheelchair. In a few cases, he placed his head on residents’ laps. Those who bent down close were given a kiss. One woman, who was in the rehab wing, told me that she had a dog and a cat at home and she missed them so much. As she pet King’s head, she leaned down and whispered in his ear. Tears were welling in her eyes. I’m whispering a special message to King. Just for King. Then she thanked me for bringing King in to see her.
Reluctantly, King does a long Sit.
This first visit offered me an opportunity to observe King to see how he reacted in the health care environment, how well he interacted with residents and rehab patients, and how he performed his obedience commands. He certainly did well in the environment and with the people, but his Sit command was none existent. When I asked him to Sit, he simply looked up at me with his sweet, expressive eyes. He naturally sat himself, however, when interacting with folks. I was pleased to see that his Heeling was fine… certainly needs more work, but quite acceptable.
Bottom line, in 30 minutes, King engaged with a lot more people than I had expected. Many family members were there to have lunch with their loved ones. So, in a short time, he succeeded in making many, many people happy on an otherwise rainy, dreary day. Good job, King!