At Work

When we arrived to visit with Mary, she had just returned from lunch and her aide was in the process of transferring her from her wheelchair to her bed by means of a lift. She spotted James at the door – and flashed him a sweet smile and a wave.  In her soft, almost inaudible voice, she said,  Don’t leave.  I want to see James.  Just wait a minute.

The transfer process is involved and takes place in privacy with the curtain drawn.  We waited in the hallway until the aide gave us clearance to go in.

Mary is such a sweet, soft-spoken person.  In her quiet way, she greeted James by slowly extending her hand so he would move closer to her bedside. Clearly, she was fatigued by the effort it had taken to be lifted out of bed to leave her room for her meal, wheeled to the dining area on her floor to eat, wheeled back to her room, and lifted back into bed.  Although visibly exhausted by these events, she expressed joy in seeing James.

James, I knew you’d be coming to visit today! To me, in her whispered voice, she said, See, he’s licking my hand.  I’m so glad he’s here.

I’ve been telling my son about James’ visits.  He wants to know what kind of dog James is.  What should I tell him?

I responded that James is an English Setter.  And, added that James is 10 years old.

I’ll remember that to tell him.  He keeps asking me that when I tell him about James.

All the while she petted James’ ears and head.

I wish I had some of those special sausage treats I used to give my dog.  I think James would like them.  I’ll ask my son to bring some in.

This is the most conversation we’ve heard from Mary throughout our visits with her. [We’ve now been visiting Mary since March]  Suddenly, fatigue deepening on her face like a cloud passing over the moon in the night sky, she quietly said, I’m very tired now… With that we said our good-byes and left her room.

Another therapy dog training workshop filled to capacity… It’s great to see that interest is building for this type of training.  I love teaching these workshops at The Collared Scholar to folks interested in doing therapy dog visiting with their dog.  I have designed the beginners class to give an overview of the basic skills and techniques needed to start visiting.  Then, in the advanced workshop, I build on these skills and techniques – adding scenarios that challenge the handler and dog, including distractions:  food, loud noises, an exuberant individual – and adding in additional training commands and more equipment.

Attending today’s beginners workshop was lovely Alice, a Labradoodle from Berkshire Hills Labradoodles. In my last advanced workshop, I had three Labradoodles from BHL in attendance.  This is a great breed for therapy dog visiting.  Their hair is allergy-free which can be a real advantage when visiting.  Tucker, a Bright Spot Therapy Dog volunteer was also in class.  He and his owner were there to sharpen their skills and learn new techniques to use when visiting.  The six other dogs in class demonstrated great potential as future therapy dogs…  sweet, friendly, outgoing, affectionate – and totally non-agressive.  This group is definitely on their way to becoming well-trained, well-prepared therapy dog teams.  Training is so important for both dog and owner.

Annie, my shy, sensitive girl, had a setback last week (week #2) – after having a great first agility class at The Collared Scholar. We arrived just as the class was ready to start and the other 3 class participants had already arrived.  Stepping into the loaded room set the stage for problems…  Annie was nervous – looking from dog to dog, tail tucked tightly under…  So, a late arrival was error #1.  Then, a super friendly, playful dog came running over to Annie to say hello – right in her face…  Oh, No!  She took to my lap for security.  Error #2. From that point on, she wanted nothing to do with the agility equipment, being too distracted by the dogs in the room.  This was a real setback.

The first week, we had arrived early – the first to enter the space. She had plenty of time to sniff around and know that the room was a good place to hang out…  she sniffed some of the equipment, too.  Then, she was able to watch each of the dogs as they entered, coming in one at a time.  No threats were sensed!  She started off feeling relaxed.

So, this week, I was sure to leave early enough to re-establish the pattern we had set up on week #1. Annie did appear a bit more nervous going in this time, but this soon dissipated.  She was ahead of the crowd (of 3!!!).  She sniffed the space – and all the new equipment – and established herself in her spot.  We were back on track!  Once again, baby steps all the way.

She had a great time.  Really enjoyed herself.  And, was exhausted!

Mary’s pain level seems to have increased since last week’s visit. She was experiencing tremors in her shoulder and leg.  When we arrived, she was seated in her wheelchair in the hallway, having just been wheeled back to the unit after lunch.  I didn’t see her at first, but then noticed a woman smiling over at James.  I realized that it was Mary.  She was smiling and waving to us to come and sit by her.  It was then that I noticed the tremors and the visible pain on her face.  I’m not feeling well, she said in her soft, whispery voice.   I’m in a lot of pain.  But, I’m so glad you brought James to see me.

In order to get close to Mary, James (all 68 lbs. of him) sat on my lap (he does think of himself as a lap dog, sometimes!). He then placed his head on her lap and she proceeded to pet him.  Mary noticed that the fur on his ears  and head seemed extra soft today.  I told her that he had been bathed and trimmed over the weekend.  He looks really nice, she said with a smile.  Then, she bent her face close to his and said, Give me a kiss, James.  To which he complied.  Oh, did she grin!  Although, I noticed… the tremors continued.  Would you please ask someone to get me in bed.  I’m in so much pain. We left her being helped back into bed – and she waved us good-bye.  James’ visit, although short, seemed to help ease her pain…  even if just for a few moments.

A wonderful surprise… I used James’ Thursday visiting time at the nursing home to evaluate a new Bright Spot therapy dog team in an effort to catch up on the growing number of applications piling up in our file.  The dog being evaluated was a tiny Shih Tzu/Poodle mix named Max.  As part of Max’s evaluation, I took him into the activities room where about 30 residents were gathered in a circle around the room to begin an exercise class.  As we walked into the room, a voice called out from the circle:  Hi… Hi…  there you are, you’re the lady that visits me with James! I looked over in the direction of the voice and saw that it was Constance calling to me.  And, sitting next to her was her daughter with her adorable little dog sitting in her lap.  As Max started to work his way around the room, greeting and interacting with the residents, I went over to talk with Constance.  She was so excited to see me.  Where’s James?  Why didn’t you bring him to see me? Then, she turned to her daughter, saying, Look, this is my daughter, Betty.  She brings her dog to visit me.

What is so surprising – and truly amazing – is that this individual with Alzheimer’s disease was able to recognize me, associate me with my dog, and remember his name even though he was not present.  Up until now, Constance had not recognized her daughter and claimed that her daughter never visited.  All the while Constance spoke, her focus was on my dog James and on Betty’s dog.

A Chat with Constance’s daughter… The week before this happened, I ran into Betty in the nursing home lobby as James and I were leaving.  She asked me how her mother had been when I visited.  I wasn’t able to wake her, I said, so we weren’t able to visit.

I’m sorry to hear that, replied Betty.  My mother enjoys your visits so much.  That’s all she talks about. She told me that the nursing home had called her that morning saying that her mother was extremely agitated.  She thought perhaps they had medicated her and that’s why she was in such a deep sleep.  I could see the sadness in Betty’s eyes and the worry on her drawn face.  She went on to tell me how hard it has been for her trying to do everything see can for her mother, when all the while her mother has no idea who she is.  I’ve watched and seen how she responds to James – and she knows who you are because James is your dog.  I’ve starting bringing in my dog to visit – and now I don’t ever come without her.  I see this is the way I can make a connection with my mother. And, now, through the connection with Betty’s dog, Constance knows that her daughter is visiting…  bringing her dog to see me.

Today’s visit with Marie was brief. She was very sleepy and kept dozing off.  As James quietly approached her bedside, sensing his presence, Marie opened her eyes and smiled.  It is difficult for Marie to talk – and her voice is very soft.  Today is Wednesday…  I thought I might be seeing James today, she said, in what seemed like a whisper. I maneuvered James so that his head rested on her chest.

Positioning is challenging because, unlike many patients, Marie does not want James to come up on her bed. This is the type of challenge I train my students to handle in class.  It is important to make it possible for the patient to touch and feel the dog’s soft fur.  In a case like Marie, smaller dogs are often easier for the owner to hold in their arms and place near the bedridden patient.  With James, I moved a chair next to Marie’s bed, sat down in it, and placed the upper part of his body in my lap… and he – the experienced therapy dog – leaned his head over and across Marie’s chest.

She smiled and  pet is head and ears, saying, I love to pet his soft long ears. During this time, Marie continued to glide in and out of sleep.  I’m very tired today, she said, but I’m so glad you brought James to visit me. Sensing it was time to depart, I told Marie that James would be back to visit her next Wednesday.  With her eyes closing, she said, That’s good.  I’ll see you then, James.

The trainer sets up pieces of agility equipment to be used in class.

Today was a big day for Annie.  She started her first agility class. We were the first to arrive – 15 minutes ahead.  Since she is shy when presented with a new situation, it was important to allow her plenty of time to check out the training center and get settled in.  She watched as the the trainer brought out the agility equipment to be introduced in class.  Then, she went over to investigate each piece.  By the time the other 3 dogs arrived for class, Annie was feeling quite comfortable in her environment.  She watched, curiously, as each newcomer entered…  all the time, her tail was wagging.

Annie checks out the equipment.

The class is held at the Collared Scholar. I love this training center.  It’s a great facility – not too large, nor too small.  Class size is deliberately kept small.  There is no problem hearing what the instructor is saying and with the small classes, owners and dogs have plenty of practice time.  This is where I teach my Therapy Dog Training Workshops (A Beginners Workshop is scheduled for June 12, 2011 from 10:00-12:00.  If interested, you can find information about it on our Bright Spot Therapy Dogs, Inc. website.).

Today, Annie and her classmates were introduced to 5 pieces of agility equipment. Annie was smiling the entire time!  After class, we headed to the real thing… several of our Bright Spot friends were competing in an agility trial not too far away, so Annie had a chance to watch competition in action, meet some more new dogs and people…  great socialization.

Annie leaves class all smiles!