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Pets bring comfort, companionship
to retirement home residents
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Pets bring comfort, companionship to
retirement home residents
By KYLE LOWRY - Tribune Staff Writer
http://www.news-tribune.net/articles/2005/09/28/news/new_albany_tribune/news09.txt
 Clell
Hooker, a Providence Retirement Home (PRH) resident,
is looking happy and healthy today and it's due,
in part, to a special relationship he formed while
in the home's care.
With a playful personality, soft black and white
fur and big, deep eyes, it's easy to see why Hooker
has become intrigued with Harley. Nearly every
day, Hooker treats his friend to an ice cream,
which is a favorite treat of the two companions.
It seems Hooker has fallen head over heels for
Harley, a Shitzu and one of PRH's resident pets.
"He's just like a little baby," Hooker
said.
In addition to Harley, a Beagle named Sadie,
two cats, Calvin and Lucky and host of fish and
birds are also full-time members of the PRH family.
"A lot of people are happy to have the cats
and dogs here," Hooker said.
"He's such a cute little thing," said
PRH resident Virginia Branam.
"We all want to pet him," added Rovie
Zeigler, another resident.
Since introducing pet therapy, and in particular
dogs, into the facility, staff at the retirement
home have noticed an improvement in residents
attitudes and well-being.
"It gets people out of their rooms and into
an activity. They'll reach to pet the dog and
the physical activity is the top benefit,"
said Joy Duguid, a PRH employee and chair of the
Wag-a-Thon. "One thing we've noticed with
Alzheimer's patients is they tend to pace and
wander a lot if there's pets around it calms them."
Duguid said that pets can help patients be less
fussy and more receptive to care and their presence
lowers blood pressure.
In an effort to spread awareness about the benefits
of pet therapy and raise money for their own in-house
program, PRH is hosting their first Wag-a-Thon
fundraiser Saturday, which will include a raffle,
entertainment, refreshments and vendor booths
featuring pet associations, veterinarians, dog
suppliers and additional information on using
pets as therapy tools. A highlight of the event
are the dog contests.
Dogs can compete in such categories as the pet
trick showdown, pet/owner look-a-like, costume
contest, smallest, largest, oldest, cutest and
most adorably ugly pet. All contests will be judged
by PRH residents.
"It's something new and we're glad to help
out," said Hooker, who along with Branam
and Zeigler, will be one of the contests' judges.
A DVD player, a digital camera and MP3 player,
as well as grooming gift certificates, a pet spa
basket, gift certificates and day at a Churchill
Downs private box will be given away as prizes.
Also, a very special member of the local pet
therapy community, Spirit, a Golden Retriever,
will be given a lifetime achievement award for
his work during the last seven years with children
and others.
Spirit's owner Cynthia Schultz of New Albany
said, "People don't realize how important
pet therapy work is. It opens people up and touches
them in so many ways. Whether Spirit is visiting
the elderly or the young, when they see him they
connect. It's a way to lift spirits."
To register or receive more information on the
PRH Wag-a-Thon fundraiser contact Duguid at 945-5221.
All proceeds from the Wag-a-Thon will benefit
the residents of PRH and the facility's pet therapy
program.
Contact the writer at klowry@news-tribune.net.
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