Therapy of the Furry Kind

-
 
OSCAR
OSCAR, is a 12-year-old Chihuahua and Jack Russell mix, rescue dog. Joe
Gillen, Oscar’s “dad,” is an Angela Hospice volunteer. Joe wanted this story to be
about Oscar and Brenda, Joe’s wife who died at the Angela Hospice Care Center in
2015, with Oscar by her side. Brenda was the one who rescued Oscar when he was
on the streets. She thought he was a black dog until she bathed him and saw that
he was white!

Excerpts from Brenda’s “Oscar Blog”: “Oscar was officially trained at Therapy
Dogs, Inc. He doesn’t shy away from people. He seems to think his lot in life is to
be fondled by strangers in a public place. Having Oscar as a therapy dog is good
for him and me. When we got home after his first client visit he was so happy — all
those hands touching his face and ears — I think I need to pick up some sanitizing
wipes today! ”


JOSIE
JOSIE, a 4-year-old Golden Retriever is part of our Volunteer Therapy
Dog program. Her “mom,” Beth Judd, says, “Josie gets by on her looks.
Being a Golden is an asset because people really respond to her beauty.”
Josie’s calm temperament, obedience, and patience soothes and comforts
patients and families, often by climbing into bed with them if they like.
Beth says, “It’s a wonderful sight to have patients see Josie and recall their own
dogs. She evokes a lot of emotion and happiness from people who are in a
difficult situation.”

Josie’s schedule, besides volunteering in the Angela Hospice Care Center, involves
going to nursing facilities on behalf of Angela Hospice, visiting local elementary
schools, and helping young hockey players relieve stress. Beth was called to this
work and she got Josie specifically for the priviledge of volunteering to help
hospice families in this special way.


REGGIE
REGGIE, a 10-year-old Multipoo visits the Angela Hospice Development
Department almost every day, and is a mascot, friend, and a real comfort to anyone having a difficult day. Reggie is one of the special perks to working at Angela Hospice (and he kind of knows it.) Lisa Norton, Development Department Coordinator, is Reggie’s ”mom.” She says, “Reggie brings down the stress level in the office, plus he is great when you need a hug.”


PIPER
PIPER, a one-year-old Toy Fox Terrier, is new to the therapy business. Her
”mother,” Debbie Vallandingham, is a Bereavement Social Worker here at Angela
Hospice. Deb says, ”Piper is a great breed to train for becoming a certified therapy
dog — she loves people, has spunk and tenacity, and a ‘can-do‘ attitude.” Piper
was a big hit at “Getting Through the Holidays” (an Angela Hospice workshop for
children who have lost a loved one). The kids loved her! Piper is a Canine Good
Citizen, and knows basic commands, including a very useful one, “leave it!”

To support our volunteer pet therapy programs, you can donate at angelahospice.org/donations/.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Room for Brian

-
Image
   Angela Hospice's donor-supported Care Center     provided Brian with the care he needed -- and        brought his family peace of mind. The Angela Hospice Care Center has always been a community-driven labor of love. From its construction in the early 1990s; to its expansion a decade and a half later; and right through to the present, where day-to-day operations are supported by the generosity of donors and friends – the Care Center is a rare and valuable community resource made possible by Angela Hospice’s caring supporters. It’s also a godsend for families like the Wilson’s. When their son came to stay with them over Christmas last year, the brain tumor he had been determined to fight for nearly 11 years began to overcome him. At 30 years old, Brian was 6’2” and his disease had progressed to the point that he could no longer walk on his own. How would his parents take care of him in their home that was not wheelchair accessible? ...
Read more

Volunteer Spotlight: Ingrid Lasley

-
Image
Name: Ingrid Lasley How long have you been a volunteer? I started volunteering about 2 ½ years ago. What areas do you work in/what sort of tasks do you do as a volunteer? I cover the receptionist desk for lunch hours, which includes telephone calls. I have covered Tree of Life shifts for the past 2 years and plan to volunteer again this season. I also have been involved in numerous mailings and last year’s Walk of Remembrance. What made you decide to become a volunteer? I stopped working a few years ago and decided I could use my spare time best by volunteering. I am enjoying every minute! Why Angela Hospice? Ingrid with fellow volunteer Geri Orlowski My mother passed away in 2012 in Buffalo, NY, and after witnessing the treatment my mother received at a hospice facility there, I knew I wanted to be part of such a kind and caring group. What is your favorite part about volunteering? I have enjoyed meeting so many people who have demonstrated so many ways one can g...
Read more

Detroit Catholic Central Moms Celebrate Hospice Workers During COVID-19

-
Image
A group of Detroit Catholic Central High School moms decided they wanted to do something special for our clinical staff, who have been working so hard in the midst of this stressful COVID-19 health crisis. The women coordinated with nurse Kelly Campbell, Home Care Clinical Supervisor for Angela Hospice, whose son recently graduated from Catholic Central. On Wednesday, the group set up 40 handmade signs outside our Care Center facility and along the driveway, to encourage and cheer our healthcare workers. They also tied big white ribbons around the trees to show support for front-line medical staff. Helen Balmforth, Angela Hospice Development and Special Events Manager, related that some staff members teared up when they saw what the Catholic Central moms had done. “I think, for some, it’s an emotional release to see that,” Helen explained. “I think it has a real impact on people.” The group also brought two large cases of toilet paper. Each roll is individually wrapped so staff...
Read more