My Lab Kelly (Can.CH,U-CDX,Woodhaven's Amber Silk,Am.CD,WC,Can.CDX,WC) has a new title. This title is possibly the most important of all the titles she has obtained so far. Kelly has become a registered Therapy Dog.

She is registered with Therapy Dogs International (TDI). In order to become registered I had to fill out an application form. On this form I stated that she had earned obedience titles and was obedient off leash. She had participated in public demonstrations where people had petted and hugged her to her delight. She was calm, reliable, not hand shy, friendly and was used to wheelchairs and jerky movements made by people who are disabled. She had been around me when due to various knee injuries and operations I had been on crutches. I then had a friend who was an obedience instructor certify that she would be a good candidate for a therapy dog.

I decided to go with TDI because of their liability insurance for all those who are accepted. A dog does not need to be registered with TDI to go into nursing homes. Anyone who wants to could make arrangements to go. However, an elderly person's skin tends to be thin and bruises easily. If by chance Kelly should scratch or injure someone accidentally, I wanted to be covered. It costs $10 to register your first dog with TDI; $2 for every dog after that you want to register. I decided to also register Kelly's mom Jessie at the same time.

After I learned that Kelly and Jessie had been accepted, I called a nursing home nearby. They were eager for us to come out.

I was nervous that first day. I have not been around the elderly that often. All my grandparents died when I was very young. I was afraid I wouldn't have much to say. I shouldn't have worried.

I took just Kelly that first time. thinking one dog would be easier to handle. We walked into the nursing home and checked into the office. The staff fussed over Kelly who was dressed in her kelly green collar and lead. She was also wearing her new tag provided by TDI which read "I AM A THERAPY DOG!" I was asked how she became a therapy dog which I explained. Kelly just sat there enjoying the pats she received. She licked faces and offered her paw to anyone who asked.

The activities director took me around the first day. We went up to the second floor and stepped into a lounge where some residents were. I went up to the first resident who was a woman. She was in a wheelchair. I introduced myself and Kelly (the residents never remember my name, but they sure remember the dogs') then asked if she wanted to pet her. She nodded yes, eyes wide. Her hands were bent from arthritis and she was unable to reach Kelly. I gently took her hand and placed it on Kelly's head. Kelly then began to lick her hand. I explained that Kelly was a Labrador Retriever and just loves people. The lady nodded her head again, unable to speak. She petted Kelly a long time, tears coming to her eyes. I gathered from what she tried to say that she had dogs when she was younger. It had been so long since she had petted a dog. I told her we'd come back to see her when we visited each week.

Another person we met while visiting was a woman in her late 60s. I asked if she wanted to pet Kelly and she said yes. She then asked if my dog was a Seeing Eye Dog. Every week when I visited that nursing home that same woman would ask if my dog was a Seeing Eye Dog. I would always explain that she was just my pet. Once when asked to pet the dog she would say "No, I like cats." The next week I would say something like "You're the woman who likes cats." She would reply, 'No, I like birds." If I asked at a later week if she liked birds, she would state that she doesn't like animals. Sometimes the residents were like that.

There was one lady there that was pretty sharp. She was in her 70s but was bedridden due to broken legs. She told me she had raised Airedales in her younger days. We talked about breeding and showing and general dog stuff. She was often on medication and sleeping when we made our visits. When she was awake she would always invite Kelly and Jessie on the bed so she could pet them. They never turned her down.

After making the rounds on the second floor, we always take the elevator down to the first floor. Sitting in the same seat in the lounge week after week was a woman in her 60s. She talked very loud in a whiny voice. No matter how many times we had visited, the routine was the same. First, she'd ask if the dog would bite her. Which I said no. She then asked if the dog would hurt her "babies". Her "babies" consisted of a Barbie doll with no arms, three small teddy bears and a stuffed rabbit. She had names for all and all were in their rightful spot. After assuring her that both she and her "babies" were safe, she began to squeal and throw her arms around the dog. Of course, she would get her face washed which delighted her even more. Jessie loved to lick her legs too for good measure. The woman would then shout to anyone within hearing distance that the dog loved her. One time as we were leaving she was saying, "God bless you Jessie."

I alternate weeks as to which dog I bring. Both love it, but Jessie hates the elevator. Kelly just loves the whole process.

One woman once remarked that she knew Kelly was Irish. When asked how she knew this, she said that she could tell by the twinkle in her eyes. Kelly just sat there laughing and wagging her tail.

There are two gentlemen who share a room. One is in a wheelchair. When we go into their room, the man in the wheelchair starts to clap and calls Kelly over to him. He's always encouraging her to climb into his chair with him. It's all I can do to convince him that she really shouldn't be sitting on his lap. One of these days I might just let her. The other man hugs her and laughs as she licks him. (Oh the temperament of a Labrador!)

Then there are the four ladies who share a big room. One of the women always wears these slippers with her toes sticking out. She giggles like a teenager when she gets her toes licked. The other women fight over who gets the dog on their bed.

The residents who are blind like to run their hands all over the dogs. One good reason why the dog should not be hand shy. Kelly licks their faces while they feel her, Jessie just grins.

I was nervous on that first day, but now the nerves are gone. I think they disappeared when that first woman got tears in her eyes while petting Kelly. I've learned to accept the people as they are. Some want to pet the dogs, some don't. Some of the residents are unable to talk, or if they can, they are unable to be understood. It doesn't matter because then we just smile at each other while they pet the dog.

I know the residents enjoy our visits. As we leave each week, they wave and beg us to come back. Even though Kelly is pursuing additional titles, she will continue to be a Therapy Dog.

© 1990 - LRM

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