posted on March 2, 2001 04:27:53 PM
bobbysoxer, that is fantastic! I take my very large and gentle dog to visit at local care facilities and will definitely tell them about this. Thank you for posting.
posted on March 2, 2001 05:14:49 PM
What a wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing the site, Bobbysoxer.
JPS: When I was in the hospital earlier this year, volunteers brought their dogs(2 Golden Retrievers and a Dalmation) around to visit with the patients. I was like a little kid on Christmas morning with the dogs and they patiently tolerated me. I'd had a rough day that day and it really lifted my spirits to be able to simply hug those dogs. Thank you for helping others with "doggy therapy".
posted on March 2, 2001 05:18:56 PMjps: My mom is in a nursing home and the local Greyhound Society brings dogs in to see her. She just loves it.
By the way, I thought you might be my eBay friend, J.P. Smith, but he would NEVER own a very large (or very small) dog. I, on the other hand, am a HUGE dog nut and have three.
posted on March 2, 2001 05:40:09 PM
When we still had the last litter of kittens around my father was in a nursing home. One night when we went to see him we took a couple of the babies with us. They were a hit! I don't know who loved them more, the patients or the staff! It sure showed how the staff needs decompressing too. I have a couple of pics but since my scanner is still down I can't post them
~~Angels fly because they take themselves lightly ~~
posted on March 2, 2001 10:01:06 PM
Muriel, many years ago when my grandmother was temporarily incarcerated in a nursing home, I had two fuzzy pups. I put them in a basket and smuggled them up to her room. This was definitely before dog therapy, but she started laughing so hard that soon everyone in the place came to see. That got me started. I, too, have three dogs. One 15 yo shepherd mix going strong, the last half of the last pair, and the giant, a huge, all black shepherd, as well as a standard shepherd because I like my dogs in pairs. The young one is not yet ready to visit, but the giant is 18 mos. and pulls wheelchairs, much to the delight of many of the old folks. I have been without dogs, but definitely prefer their company. Not easy to be sad or upset when there are tails wagging. Which, come to think about it, is probably why they are such a big hit at the care centers. Can you tell that I, too, am a dog nut?
posted on March 3, 2001 10:26:54 AMjps - my mom's room mate's son brought in two puppies for my mom and his mom to hold. The one they gave my mom looked like a little wolf (my mom loves wolves). Unfortunately, that one also had a bit of an "intestinal problem" and it pooped all over my mom AND the bed. It was hilarious. So for Christmas they bought my mom a stuffed dog that won't poop. The many faces of Muriel
The many faces of Muriel
It sure showed how the staff needs decompressing too. I have a couple of pics but since my scanner is still down I can't post them 
~~