Dogs Who Visit Hospitals And Nursing Homes

[schnauzer]

My mum's nursing home allows and encourages dogs to visit. I usually only take one at a time - the residents love it and know all their names. There was a lady who never spoke in a bed, but when she saw Daisy her face lit up and she would wave at me. I would lift Daisy up onto the bed for her to stroke - she absolutely loved it. :)

[Brookestar]

I have a delta therapy dog and visit two hospital wards. The dog has feceal and salvia tests every 3 months to ensure that there is nothing that could be passed on to people, but given that it is a hospital they have to be extra careful. Delta does not do these tests on dogs that visit nursing homes or the like.

I also take my dog to visit an elderly neighbour who has just moved into a nursing home, and an elderly relative. The relative is in a low care facility, they do have visiting dogs come in, but will only allow mine because she is already a therapy dog. The one my neighbour moved into welcomes pets, as long as they are not aggressive and are basically clean. They say that if they have concerns they will ask you to leave and will refuse to allow the dog back again. We have been taking his dog into visit him, and we were also able to take his dog into the rehabilitation centre attached to the hospital, who also allowed bascially well behaved pets. They have released that in order for people to really heel they need access to there dogs, and having them in, is less work, than looking after people without them. Many rehab centres now operate on that basis. The nursing home is a high care and dementia one, but they still welcome pets. They have two staff who take their dogs to work each day and so they have a dog presence at the home almost every day of the week. Those dogs have had some sort of temperate test done and also have regular health checks. They have a resident cat, a massive bird avery, huge fish tank, even some chooks in a backyard, all of which the residents can interact with. The relaxation on those residents and how they cope is so different to any other nursing home I have ever been in, and I believe the animals of all sorts really contribute to it.

[zeebie]

Yes I also volunteered with Delta with my older boy and we went through a very well run accreditation process before he got his stamp of approval with official neck scarf and my T/Shirt plus visible photo ID we were allocated a High care/low care facility which we visited regularly for 2 years, he looked forward to going as much as the residents looked forward to having him come and see his tricks and interact etc. We then also took on visiting an interlectual disability/mental health unit and again strict criteria was in place and as many of these clients were extremely volatile on occaisons, it was amazing how settled they were when my dog visited and the staff always asked if we could come more often!

Today on my way home from the show with my precious poodle we stopped at a local park for the dogs to stretch their legs and go toilet etc and it happened a group of residents from a local nursing home were on a picnic with family outing, well their faces lit up and all the Oh's and Rrrrss etc nearly brought tears to my eyes, and of course dogs had to have pats and say hello etc and one lady said "Oh you have made my day to see a poodle again since I lost mine my world as stopped", she just kept repeating this and her daughter told me on the quite that her mum had not been so bright and so excited in many months so they were very thankful for the experience.

Animals in retirement homes etc are a very important part of continuing normality for the people who find themselves having to spend their final days in these environments, so sad that for a variety of reasons most do not allow resident animals. You only have to read the regulations regarding this to understand how bogged down in red tape it is

[zeebie]

I have a delta therapy dog and visit two hospital wards. The dog has feceal and salvia tests every 3 months to ensure that there is nothing that could be passed on to people, but given that it is a hospital they have to be extra careful. Delta does not do these tests on dogs that visit nursing homes or the like.

Not sure in Victoria or if things have changed but I do know that my dog was required to have health screening yearly with regular interim worming etc to comply with the requirements of Delta and he was only visiting community situations. I had to have my vet sign off on a health screen form.

[Pretty Miss Emma]

When Emma was alive she and I did about 2-2.5 years work as Delta Pet Partners. We visited a lcal nursing home, it was only when Emma became diabetic and I had to have her on a very tight routine with insulin and food that we had to stop (my travel time there etc didn't facilitate the rest of our routine).

She loved visiting everyone there and they loved seeing her!! There was one lady who wasn't that old (probably late 50's maybe), and she had massive issues with her memory. Her long term was fine but for the first year she couldn't remember that she'd seen us the previous week. She was just a gorgeous lady and I had the same conversation with her each week when we got ther, but I didn't mind because she loved having the conversation!!! When I would walk in, she'd say "that's a beautiful dog", then she'd ask me what breed she was, I'd ask her guess, she'd always say a maltese - Emma was a border collie!!! I'd tell her she was a border collie, then she'd ask her name. After that she'd always ask how old she was and tell me she had a beautiful coat and what did I feed her. I still remember clear as day when I walked in and she looked up and said "oh look, it's Emma the border collie. She's 9 years old " (she was 10 by then, but who cares!!)!! It was such a great day, and showed just how much having the dogs come in can change peoples lives!! After then she always knew that it was Emma, she sometimes got the breed wrong, and she was always 9 years old according to this lady, oh well!!

There was another lady there also who obviously was suffering pretty severe depression, she would often just stay in bed in her room and not come out, and have the blinds all down so the room was pitch black. I would always go past her door and knock to see if she wanted to see Emma. We were always welcome in her room, and she was always happy for Emma to get up on the bed and lie and have a cuddle with her. Everytime we left her there was always a smile on her face.

Both my dogs at the moment aren't quite right yet for therapy work, plus I really don't have the time at the moment. But I would definitely do it again. Many nursing homes I know of let dogs come for a visit. I know a few people who have arranged privately to visit each week. Where my grandmother is they are happy for people to bring their dogs when they visit the residents, so Kenzie and Hamish have been in once or twice for a short visit when either I have gone there or if my parents have visited and have been looking after the dogs!!

[zeebie]

Anyone interested in becoming a Delta volunteer here is link with all info and requirements

http://www.deltasocietyaustralia.com.au/becomeavolunteer

[yellowgirl]

Here's what we do with our long-term, senior rescue bubs :)

http://www.littlelegsdogrescue.com.au/twilight-therapy-dogs.html

[mel_]

I would absolutely love to do this. There's a nursing home around the corner from me called IBIS Care Big Sister so I should get in contact with them. Would it be best to just give them a ring? Or even drop in?

[suziwong66]

i would really like to volunteer with Wilbur (choc Lab) at nursing homes through Delta...he's not quite two and gets very excited by strangers (despite constant club training since 4 months old) so i'm not sure he'll be ready for a while yet. We might need to wait till he settles down a bit. When he comes in contact with my mum, who has very thin skin due to medication, he can accidentally tear her even though he's quite settled around her.

It's one of our training goals.

[silentchild]

This is definitely something I've always wanted to do with my dogs, so hopefully my next dog will have the right temperament for it. My previous girl was much too excitable so wasn't a good candidate. Are there temperament tests involved for the dogs to become qualified for these sort of things?

[grumpette]

SC both Zeph and Tank were temperament tested through Dogs Vic and are part of their Pets as Therapy team. You can find some information on their website below.

http://www.dogsvictoria.org.au/GetInvolved/WhatisaTherapyDog.aspx

Where Zeph and I go we were also temperament tested by Kintala, so we are accredited by both organisations.

http://www.humananimalinteraction.org.au/the_kintala_club_inc_pet_facilitated_therapy_training

As with Baylee and her involvement in DPI's Responsible Pet Education program, I waited until Zeph was mature, around 3 years of age, and he had a lot of basic obedience training. I also made sure that he had been socialised around people of all ages and mobility levels before we considered taking the temperament test.

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

I visited a local nursing home with a couple of my dogs over 5 or so years. Although I was visiting one lady in particular (as part of a volunteer program) who really enjoyed seeing the dogs it gave pleasure to others too. The dementia residents were often placed in a room near the front of the building and when I came in, their faces would often light up and some would want to pat the dog etc. It really does mean a lot to people and give them pleasure in a challenging situation, some would cry for the dogs they remembered or couldn't take with them and tell me their stories ... Many of them don't have too many visitors sadly.

[Kirislin]

Penny whippet has visited an old peoples home several times in the past although she's not a qualified therapy dog. Just yesterday I took her and Iggy Mums little Italian greyhound Zoey to the hospital Iggy Mum is staying at, not to see her but another patient wanted to see IM's dogs after she'd told her so much about them. The hospital allowed me to take them around to the outdoor area and the patient came out to see them. She was so happy, she was nearly crying and said it had made her day.

[mita]

Bit O/T. We may not have to wait to be in a nursing home to have a therapy dog provide comfort. Press release this month from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Dogs will be working there to reduce passenger stress. They wear red coat with 'Pet Me':

LAX STRESS RELIEF INITIATIVE: PETS UNSTRESSING PASSENGERS (PUPS) PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN HONOR OF NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK

(Los Angeles, California- April 15, 2013) In anticipation of National Volunteer Week (April 21-27) starting today passengers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will be greeted by a new breed of furry Airport Volunteers—dogs! Airport officials today announced the new program—PUP (Pets Unstressing Passengers) at LAX. As one of the few programs of its kind in the United States the LAX PUPs program hopes to provide a less stressful airport environment especially in the midst of the tax deadline.

Various trained dogs and handlers, on rotating schedules, will roam through the gate areas on the departure level of each terminal. They will visit with passengers awaiting flights, provide comfort, and offer airport information. Each volunteer underwent classroom and in-terminal training to learn about LAX and how to assist passengers.

Edited April 29, 2013 by mita

[Furkidsforever]

i would really like to volunteer with Wilbur (choc Lab) at nursing homes through Delta...he's not quite two and gets very excited by strangers (despite constant club training since 4 months old) so i'm not sure he'll be ready for a while yet. We might need to wait till he settles down a bit. When he comes in contact with my mum, who has very thin skin due to medication, he can accidentally tear her even though he's quite settled around her.

It's one of our training goals.

As you are in SA you might like to try Caring Canine Companions which is run by the Golden Retriever Club of SA as an auspice for the Community Visitors Scheme. http://www.grcsa.org.au and go to the CCC link for information. All breeds and mixed breeds as well as Goldens are involved.

For 13 years I was the co-ordinator for this scheme. At that time we had 140 volunteers and 150 dogs - all breeds and mixed breeds. There are still a very large number of volunteers involved and it is certainly the most rewarding activity you can do with your canine friend. Husband David and I used to visit, sometimes with 5 Goldens, into the activities area of Residential Aged Care Facilities. One of our golden girls, Bonnie, was awarded a Hero Medal, nominated by the wife of one of Bonnie's residential friends. He would not take notice of anything at all except when Bonnie came into his room. I saw so many wonderful experiences when introducing new volunteers and their canines.

Edited April 29, 2013 by Furkidsforever

[Loving my Oldies]

PUPS at LAX Free ranging mind went straight to laxatives and hope no one plays silly buggers .

What an amazing initiative. Those dogs would have to be the epitome of laid back.

[Jed]

My mentor spent the last couple of years of her life in a nursing home. When I took a boxer in to see her, she would light up - and promptly tell me what was wrong with it, and why I should have bought one from her instead :laugh: (some things never change).

The boxer meanwhile would be being adorable, whilst sweeping it's big galooty tail around the room, doing untold damage

However, the best thing for me is that the woman in the other bed who never moved, never changed expression when I came along, would sit up a little and smile when I had the dog. I used to take the boxer to her bed and although she didn't pat it, she continued to smile.

Bella the boxer used to visit Auntie Marg with MS in a nursing home. Nothing much worked except Marg's fingers, and Bella would lay her head on Marg's lap to be patted. Bella is very gentle. There were also 2 resident dogs, some scruffy kind of poodle x, and they were a bit difficult about strange dogs but we managed. They were good with the residents.

My cousin is now in a nursing home, and I am caring for her 12 year old Cavalier, Dan. Dan loves going anywhere, but he drags me along the corridors of the home to see his boss. He is so pleased to see her - and of course, she is delighted to see him. He lies at her feet when we are there. He also says "hi" to any other residents who are friendly - and those with food he especially welcomes!!

My experience is that most people who are in nursing homes welcome dogs visiting. Dogs do things to our spirit - there is no way to measure it - but they do it particularly to the weak, the old, the sick and the disabled. And perhaps the dogs give them a little more than they give us.

None of my dogs were trained, but all managed very well, and I would recommend this to anyone who gets the opportunity, and has a suitable dog.

Edited April 29, 2013 by Jed

[HazyWal]

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-news/greyhound-racer-daisy-ross-new-life-at-macarthur-house-aged-care-home/story-e6freuzi-1226003244369

Greyhounds are becoming popular permanent residents in nursing homes They are perfect as they are low shedding with no odour and most rarely bark. Stan would be perfect for the job, with all those beds to choose from and endless cuddles he'd be livin' the dream :)

[BC Crazy]

Giggle, stan is such a lounge lizard :)

[mita]

Greyhounds are becoming popular permanent residents in nursing homes

A greyhound was the permanent therapy dog at a residence for elderly nuns here in Brisbane. His size meant that people could pat him easily if they were in bed or sitting in a chair.

He 'starred' in a segment on Dr Harry's TV program. Dr H went to visit him.