• After passing the Therapy Dog International test in November 2006, we waited for all those important papers to show up in the mail. We waited and waited.  I was anxious to get going at my new job at Regions Hospital, St. Paul, MN.  They have a cool dog staff there of about 35-40 dogs.  That's right............40 dogs.  That is THE place to go to meet other dogs. There are Afghans, Shelties, German Sheppard, Basenji's (did I spelled that right?), Samoyeds,  More  dogs sign up every day.  This is the coolest place for a dog to hang out.  Visitors, staff, patients....people everywhere who stop to let me have a treat or a hug.  Hey, this is really the life.

 

• One day in November 2006, my master went to a dog meeting, without me, I should add,  because my papers from TDI had not arrived in the mail yet.  I was told that pictures were taken at the dog meeting:  one group picture in the atrium of Regions Hospital with their masters.  And then, get this......the photographer wanted only the dogs -- no people.    So, the owners gave their dog a "down and stay" command.  And "click" went the picture.  Not one dog moved.  They were the pros.  Aw, shucks. I wish I could have been there.  And I wish I had that picture to show you.  Stay tuned!

   

• My first assignment as a Therapy Dog was to show up at the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN.  I was so excited.  Finally I get to do something!  The mall was having a volunteer day  recognition.  The dog team from Regions Hospital was well represented.  We all wore our bandanas saying we were on the "team."  And guess what, i got to see that picture of the dogs.  The photographer had made a big picture to display.  I was so proud to be a part of this bunch of canines.  I took my master to the podium where she was introduced. 

 

• She told the story of how I came to be a therapy dog.  It went kind of like this:

Therapy Dogs at Mall of America 

(Click here to see the show.)

• I have a doggie I. D. card now.   I haven't figured out why I need that.  Maybe I have to show my ID when the nurses offer me a treat to make sure I am old enough to have one! The first thing I learned was the exact drawers that the nurses used to store the dog treats!  What a game they play with me! 

 

• The other thing that bugs me, I have to be clean.  I have found every mud puddle in the yard, much to my master's chagrin.  Boy, did I have fun!  To visit the sick in a hospital, I have to get cleaned up.  I undergo a weekly bath and pampering.  I guess that isn't so bad; I get undivided attention!  Hey, but hold the perfume, please!  I am still a dog...........a BOY dog.

 

• At Easter, I wore bunny ears to the hospital.  I guess they thought I was the Easter dog.  People laughed at them.  How humiliating it could have been; but if the people cheered up, I can wear them with dignity.  It is fun to have so many fans.

 

• The next "git up" is my Twins hat and four boots.  Well, we will see how long that one lasts.  That costume was for the kids on a field trip, taking a tour of the hospital.  Four socks, baseballs, Twins T-shirt, and a Twins cap ----  I was all decked out for that one.  It is, after all, my favorite game.  Throw the ball and I will fetch it! Pop flies?  You gotta love it!  I want to play outfielder so I can run fast and get the ball.

 

• My second cool assignment was showing up at the hospital for tour groups of children.  They were given a tour of the hospital and then they came to visit the dogs.  There were four of us.....I was SO honored to be one of them.  My goodness, so many children and so much fun!  One of the dogs Sasha had a big job.  She gave each child a ride in her wagon.  Can you believe it!  Sasha is the reason my master got ME into this therapy dog program. 

 

• For several visits, I was allowed in waiting rooms for clinics, the cancer center, surgery waiting rooms, radiation waiting rooms.  This went on for about 6 visits.  Well, today, May 11, 2007, I got to visit patients in their rooms.  They told me I was a good dog and I believed them.  Some were so sick, some were on their way home.  All were happy to see me.  I don't know, but it takes a lot of energy from me to deal with all of their emotions.  I took a long nap after I got home!  I need to rest and get ready to go back. 

 

• One of the things my owner thinks I have to do to visit in the hospital, is to take a bath every couple of weeks.  She gets out the hair dryers, shaves my nose, and then I am clean and feel like taking on the world.  I don't suppose many of you even have a clue as to how long this clean up practice takes.  Well, it may sound like an ordeal, but actually the truth is:  I love the attention!!!!  I mean, we have 4 cats in the house and a bird.  I have to share time with them; so when it is bath day I get the "works."

 

• My owner has gotten a lot of "outfits" for me to wear.  I hope I am not embarrassed by all that stuff.  It is a dogs world, but she has Twins outfit. a reindeer one.  i don't know what I do for Halloween?  I could go as a ghost since I am all white like Sasha (She's my dog friend at Regions).

 

Sasha and Mary Lou

 

 

• She helped my owner to survive her car accident ordeal in 2004.  When I have time, I will tell you the story.  Meanwhile, it is back to the grooming table so i can go next week to visit my friends at Regions.

 

• Now that Christmas time is here, I have a Santa cap, and bells on my collar and my four feet. If it makes somebody happy I guess it is worth it.

 

• On the news the other day I heard that therapy dogs were being sent to Iraq to work with our soldiers in the front lines.  Maybe I could volunteer!  I doubt it however, as I am a grooming nightmare to most people.  The two dogs that went were black labs and much easier to care for in that department. 

 

• We wish them well; we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.  And I will wear my Santa hat for the kids, the little ones and the big ones, just to see them smile.     

                                                                                                                       That's Sasha! $             That's me! $

  

• Well, I did it, I did it, I did it!!!!  Remember last year?  I didn't get my picture taken with all of these dog volunteers because I didn't have my Therapy Dog License.  This year I did.  Can you believe  all of these dogs on their best behavior for a group picture??   We are trained animals.  Before the picture was taken a couple of the dogs got up and walked around, but they just wanted to play.  Picture?  Picture of what?  We are so good, right?  The picture was taken November 2007 in the Atrium at Regions Hospital, St. Paul, MN. Just look at all the Sheltie's!

 

 

• This picture is of my dog friends who aren't Pet Therapy workers , but they have good manners.

•   Jake, the lab, lives up north near Sebeka, MN.  He runs the outdoors there on tte farm and gets to go hunting.  The next two little ones live near Rochester, MN.  They are in dog training now (note their collars).  Julio is the French Bulldog next to Coda, the sheltie.   They live near me.   

• This week we are going to a seminar titled "Healing Touch."  I think that should be great fun.  I will report in after it is over, ok?

Posted 08/07/2008 06:04:19 AM

Therapy Dog day at Regoins Hospital, St. Paul, MN	Rays of sunshine provided by the dogs!
Group picture of therapy dogs and their handlers

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