On a recent visit to one of our regular assisted living homes, I knocked on the door of a resident who usually wants a visit. When I asked if she would like to see Daisy, she sighed and said no, it was just too bad a day. I said that was fine, we hoped she’d feel better, and we’d see her next time. She then said, “Well … could you maybe just come in for a minute.” We approached, and she began petting Daisy, who gently touched her with her nose and then leaned her head into the lady’s stroking hand. “Ah,” she said. “This is exactly what I needed. I didn’t know what I needed, but Daisy knew. I am already feeling better.” We stayed for a few more minutes, and she was smiling when we left her room, and by the time we left the facility she was enjoying the breeze outside with some other residents. Just a small story, but one that touched me and made me remember that a few minutes of love can turn a day around.
Daisy
On a recent visit to one of our regular assisted living homes, I knocked on the door of a resident who usually wants a visit. When I asked if she would like to see Daisy, she sighed and said no, it was just too bad a day. I said that was fine, we hoped she’d …
Griffin
My West Highland Terrier, Griffin, and I have been members of Dogs On Call, Inc. since 2005. During this time we have visited our share of nursing homes and hospitals and been a R.E.A.D. team. We enjoy our visits to different facilities and Griffin seems to like R.E.A.D. the best. We had started a program …
Buddy
On our very first visit at St. Mary’s Hospital on a Friday, Buddy met a little boy who had his tonsils out on Tuesday. He was supposed to go home on Wednesday, but because he wouldn’t drink anything, the hospital wouldn’t discharge him. His frustrated mom said he’d eat hot dogs and chocolate cake, but …
Button
While visiting with the children at the local homeless shelter one little boy became quickly enamored with Button. Throughout the visit every 10-15 minutes he would be back to visit talking to just her. Towards the end of the visit Button was laying across my lap resting when the little boy showed up again crying. …
Lynn Malayter and Murphy
We can’t talk about Meriter Hospital and Dogs On Call without also talking about Lynn Malayter and her dog, Murphy, the pair who started the program at Meriter. view full post » Share and Enjoy:
Griffin
My West Highland Terrier, Griffin, and I have been members of Dogs On Call, Inc. since 2005. During this time we have visited our share of nursing homes and hospitals and been a R.E.A.D. team. We enjoy our visits to different facilities and Griffin seems to like R.E.A.D. the best. We had started a program with a local library when we discovered Griffin had diabetes and because of the disease he was losing his sight. As his vision deteriorated and he began to have a little trouble negotiating around objects, I explained to the children at our R.E.A.D. program that Griffin was going blind. One little boy accepted this statement quietly then looked at Griffin, looked at the book we were reading and looked at Griffin again. Then he looked at me and said, “Would it help if I held the book closer to his face?” Barely keeping the chuckles out of my voice I told him to just read a little louder as Griffin would just prefer to listen to the book.
Buddy
On our very first visit at St. Mary’s Hospital on a Friday, Buddy met a little boy who had his tonsils out on Tuesday. He was supposed to go home on Wednesday, but because he wouldn’t drink anything, the hospital wouldn’t discharge him. His frustrated mom said he’d eat hot dogs and chocolate cake, but no liquids.
Button
While visiting with the children at the local homeless shelter one little boy became quickly enamored with Button. Throughout the visit every 10-15 minutes he would be back to visit talking to just her. Towards the end of the visit Button was laying across my lap resting when the little boy showed up again crying. He knelt down on the floor to tell only Button his problem. I, respecting his private moment with her, let him tell Button his tale of woe, while holding on to her chin. He finished his conversation, got up with a big smile on his face, petted Button and ran off to play with his friends.
Lynn Malayter and Murphy
We can’t talk about Meriter Hospital and Dogs On Call without also talking about Lynn Malayter and her dog, Murphy, the pair who started the program at Meriter.
Our Mission
