Nursing Home Pet Therapy

[Darwinsnewfie@1855]

Ella started a nursing home's pet therapy program today and we were so proud of her. Overall, she did really well. She didn't jump on anyone or knock anyone down, which was my biggest concern. She went from wheelchair to wheelchair and just put her head on everyone's lap and licked their hands. The senior citizens loved it! They were all laughing, smiling and asking questions about the Newfoundland breed. I never did anything like this before with my other dogs because they didn't have a temperment like Ella. It really was quite an incredible feeling to watch everyone at the nursing home fall in love with her and to see how happy Ella was making the patients. Some of the patience were leery of her side, but when she put her big head in their lap they became so comfortable with her. There are somethings I would like to work on with Ella to make out trips to the nursing home even better. She was really taken back by the elavator rides, so I'm going to spend more time letting her ride the elavator and get more use to it. The other thing I think I need to work on is teaching her how to safely walk around wheelchairs. There were probably 10 wheelchairs all around her and everyone was reaching out for her at once. She got so so excited and had a little trouble navigating between the wheelchairs. Overall, it was such a great start to Ella's new job at Gracedale Nursing Home.

 

[Angela]

What a great job for her. I did this with one of my Newfs, the clients just loved him.

 

[lmfoltyn]

Wonderful!

 

[CathyC.]

Fantastic!

 

[Carole Macomber]

Good job, Ella!

 

[Bailey Boy]

That is wonderful!

Years ago I worked at a nursing home Before they had all the rules and training programs on my days off I would take my little Annie to visit the residents. She was a GSD beagle mix and absolutely loved the attention she got and of course the residents loved the attention too. So many of the residents they didn't have anyone coming to visit them.

 

[Darwinsnewfie@1855]

So true Bailey Boy. The one nurse said that the patient Ella kept going to hasn't smiled or laughed in weeks. But every time Ella licked her, she was smiling and laughing non-stop.

 

[Bailey Boy]

awww see Ella knew which one needed her the most and made her happy by going back to show her attention and love.

 

[NinaA]

She sounds like a natural. Perhaps you can borrow a wheelchair to use a home to make her adjustment quicker. She'll get it once she's done it a few times. As long as she's enjoying herself, she will figure things out. Bless her heart and bless your heart.

 

[victoria1140]

Sounds like a blast.enjoy the training with her .
My first need Beau qualified for crufts and useless show dog but there was a lady in a wheelchair who couldn't move and Beau actually moved his head from side to side so it felt like she was stroking him.
You couldn't have made me prouder that day.

Do obstacle course training ,that way she gets used to the weaving

 

[Darwinsnewfie@1855]

Beau sounds like such an amazing dog! Did you have to train him to do that or was it instinct? We have an obstacle course training class here in NJ this month. Thanks for the tips!