From the first time we welcomed Sophie to a Seasons Hospice facility, we quickly realized that Sophie and her handler Rosemary have a special way with our patients who are healing, hurting and needing a special sense of peace.
One of the first patients we had Rosemary and Sophie meet was Anna.
But we saw an amazing breakthrough as soon as Anna started petting Sophie. Starting with stories about her experiences with dogs growing up, Anna shared facts and stories about her life.
We also appreciate Sophie for her ability to comfort. Another resident, Thomas, chose to spend most of his time in his small, warm, neatly-kept room at the end of a hallway in his Michigan nursing home. We tried to talk him into doing group activities, but instead he usually preferred chatting with us in his room. Thomas preferred to stay there because he thought his brother was going to pick him up and bring him back to the family farm and he didn’t want to miss him. He even kept a suitcase by his door. Thomas had dementia, so he had a hard time remembering that his brother had passed away and the farm had been sold long ago. It was tough for our staff to see him end most of his nights disappointed.
But then Sophie came along. The very first time Thomas saw Sophie, he scooped her up in his arms, told her all about his family farm and the dogs he had and what a good girl she was. Thomas forgot about the suitcase sitting by his door and took Sophie’s leash in his hands, grinning ear to ear. He walked her all the way to the front door, ending the night with a smile his brother would have been happy to see.
Rosemary says that the comfort and love Sophie gives can also be seen when the pair are volunteering at Camp Kangaroo.
Rosemary still remembers the first-time interactions Sophie had with our campers.
These are just a few examples of how pet therapy is changing lives in the hospice community and doing it in just a short amount of time. Handlers certified with Delta Dog or Therapy Dogs International are encouraged to contact their local hospice to find out how to volunteer. Be prepared: it will have a huge positive impact on the patients you serve, but also on your own heart.