Therapy Work

Therapy Diary

First visit ever.   

To say the less it was unexpected. My dream was that everybody likes Tara and they going to pet her and everyone will be happy…..We visit continue care Facility, an Alzheimer unit. Volunteer director came to help us out for a first time visiting. People who lived here have a medical problem with short tern memory; every one was in a wheelchair. Very old and physically restrained. A lot of people just ignore us – they could care less that we are here.We came to the hall, where patients were watching TV, after finishing their dinner.Tara lick a lady’s hand when she pass her by, lady became annoyed. Ask , looking right at Tara : “What is it?” Demanded: “ You cannot bring her here!” Ask for a tissue to wipe  off Tara’s touch. I was glad that Tara could not hear it and take it to the heart.I will be keeping her on a shorter leash and making sure she gets close to people who wants her. Gladly it was a few of those.Buts its gets tricky here too.We came to somebody’s room. Old lady was lying down on her bed and we put Tara on a blanket right to the lady.As old as that lady look – she still has a lot of strength in her hands and she grab Tara with such power that even overwhelmed me.It is a difference when I play with Tara and can grab her – but somebody she never saw before….  O my! I was keeping my hands on dog constantly reassuring her that everything is okay.It was tough on me – can she hold it? Will she just obey and not protest? Now I am REALLY thinking about visiting children’s – they are unpredictable creatures. Tara would not bite but she may growl  – to protect her self of what feels abusing.As soon as I saw Tara getting tired (in 30 min or so), we finish our visit. I feed her treats in a car to let her now – that she did a great job.It was different then I thought it would be.We will try again in two weeks. I want Tara to adjust to new surroundings. She was a little bit more worry then I thought she would, because I miss the point that we are going to deal with old or sick people who behave differently then the rest of us.What have I learn:

·  To respect my dog even more – she can do something I could not done it.

· To appreciate life and every minute of it.

· To stop arguing and spend time on “winning”.

· To respect and value each other.