Our Bright Spot Third-Saturday-of-the-Month Events at the Soldiers Home in Holyoke, Massachusetts, just keep on growing. More Bright Spot Therapy Dog Teams participate each month. More veterans and families expectantly wait for the dogs’ arrival, having heard word-of-mouth that rest-assured, the dogs will be here.
From 1:00 to 3:00, true magic occurs within these walls. If you happen to walk through the main entrance of the Soldiers Home at precisely 1:00 on the third Saturday of the month, you will see assembled anywhere from 12-16 friendly, super gentle certified Therapy Dogs decked out in their Bright Spot blue vest. Their handlers dressed in matching blue t-shirts inscribed with Bright Spot Therapy Dogs on the front, our website address on the back. You’ll be greeted by 16 wagging tails and the same number of broad smiles on the faces of the Bright Spot volunteers who get as much enjoyment out of visiting with the veterans as do the folks they come to visit.
An air of happiness and joy can be felt through every hallway, room, and gathering spot throughout the huge facility. Anyone wanting a visit from a dog, we get one. There are plenty of dogs to go around, and all the handlers take extra care to be certain no one is left out.
One gentleman now positions himself strategically at the entrance to the Canteen, the large gathering spot. He knows he will get to see, pet, and hug every single dog that day. At one time or another, every dog with pass through that entry spot. King has taken a keen liking to him. He had English Setters when he was a young man. Somehow, King knows this. He lies right down on the floor next to this gentleman’s feet, and listens attentively to his hunting stories of long ago.
Many of the dogs and their handlers have developed special friendships with certain veterans. They gravitate to one another each month. Spending extra special time with one another before moving on for more visits.
I was touched by the comments that several volunteers emailed in after this past Saturday’s visit. I’d like to share some of these with you to get a better sense of what takes place on what I now call Magical Saturdays…
From Bright Spot volunteer Ern and his dogs Lilo & Tucker:
Lilo, Tucker and I are so thrilled to be able to visit the vets.
Wayne, Max, Lilo, Tucker & I started on the 4th floor and delivered the printed snapshots I had taken previously to the women who love having the dogs visit them in their rooms. Max was a huge hit everywhere; everybody loved his lean look, his soft feel and hearing Wayne tell about his 40 MPH pace.
We spend most of our visit on the 3rd floor with the Alzheimer unit until the dogs tired. We met a gentleman, who I assumed was only in his 70s. He told us of hauling gasoline across France for General Patton’s tanks. He was one of the original Red Ball Express drivers fueling the surrender of Germany 70 years ago ~ What a hero! What an honor to be able to visit with him with a Great Dane on each side of his chair as he petted both dogs while we all listened to the Sox on the radio (like me, he prefers baseball on the radio) and swopped war stories.
We then brought the dogs into the common area where the gentlemen sit by the TV. A staff member and family members were keeping them company. The families helped us get the big dogs into the tight areas so the men could touch them. One gent, without any family, swung his arm off his wheelchair and began vigorously patting Tucker’s back. Tucker just looked up and leaned in more tightly. The staff member helped the patient to begin stroking Tucker. Then, she had to go get the charge nurse because the vet started telling us about the big dog he once had. The nurse’s reaction was: “He never says anything! I don’t know how long its been since I heard him speak!”
What an honor it is to be able to be a Bright Spot for these amazing veterans who gave so much for us all. We will be back for as many more visits as we can make.
From Bright Spot volunteer Megan and her dog Cadence:
Cadence and I had a great afternoon. My friend’s father is now a resident on the third floor and we were able to visit with him, his wife and my friend. I felt fortunate to see him today. He was awake, alert and able to interact with us. Cadence seemed to bring the whole family joy and a much needed distraction from the daily routine of their visits. We are looking forward to the May visit.
From Bright Spot volunteer Michelle and her dog Coco:
Coco and I enjoy our time there each month. I contemplated not going this month because we were heading to northeastern Vermont to spend time with my family for Easter, but I couldn’t NOT go.
The residents and their families are so appreciative of all the dogs who visit them each month, and it is wonderful to be part of the visits. One man kept saying, “Thank you. Thank you…” as he petted Coco. Another resident wanted Coco to get onto her bed. I do not usually do that with Coco because she is big, and because I worry about hurting her. I knew how much it meant to the woman, and Coco lay up there with her for 10 minutes or so while she and I talked. She petted Coco the entire time, and Coco’s tail wagged non-stop.
Thank you again for the opportunity to do something for veterans who have done so much.
From Bright Spot volunteer Shannon and her dog Frosty:
The residents at The Solider’s Home are so warm and inviting. Our last visit was with Ed in the hospice unit. He couldn’t speak too much, but he lay his hand on Frosty’s head petting him softly. It brought tears to both our eyes. We must have sat there for fifteen minutes.
The feeling of joy and happiness is palpable – everywhere, in every face, human and canine. What a tremendous feeling it is to see so many Bright Spot Therapy Dog Teams together in one place carrying out our mission… to bring comfort and caring through the human-canine bond. To me, it is always Magical.