Submitted by Gerry Clare
Roving Reporter
August 28, 2014 4:07 p.m.
As I was visiting friends at Quality Health last week, I was met with a happy scene on the porch. Susan Haney and “Jingles” were meeting Renata and John Sharp and there were smiles all around. As I entered the building, I was met by Mary Ann Howat and “Whiskers” in the hall, who mentioned that this pet therapy program was a regular happening and being run by Dickie Anderson, who had started a similar program years ago with a friend. At that time she took her own pets, “Ogie” and “Mac” to visit.
It was so obvious that many of the residents in wheelchairs were delighted by the visits. Their faces lit up and petting and tail waving were the hit of the day. The volunteers walk up and down the halls and visit rooms as welcomed. It reminded me that one of my friends was cheered by her dog’s visit with her son on a regular basis.
A few weeks earlier I met Dyanne Hughes and “Snookums” visiting Grandma and I stopped to chat with her.
Dickie Anderson, well-known writer and author, speaker and community volunteer, filled me in on the scope of this new program which she organized called “Soft Touch.” She now partners with Nassau Humane Society and many of the dogs and volunteers at that organization. There are currently about 25 volunteers with their own or shelter dogs. They visit Quality Health, Osprey Village and Savannah Grand about once a week. The dogs and their owners need to be trained and suitable for these visits. In fact, Dickie, whose dogs have since passed on, commented that her new puppy is probably not ready for this work yet and so she usually takes a shelter dog until hers matures a little more.
Her comment on the program was: “Never in my volunteering activities have I been so appreciated or thanked so many times for so little.” Dickie is busy with new activities like working with patient advocacy at Baptist Nassau and another printing of her book, Great Homes of Fernandina and tutoring 4th graders, but she would love to hear from you at [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering for this program.
As I left Quality Health, I was reminded by one of my friends, Willie Mae Ashley, a teacher at the Peck School in Fernandina Beach for many years, that she would love a visit from any of her pupils or friends, for at 92 years old, most of her friends have passed away. So, visitors and authorized pets are welcome at many nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Don’t forget to be a good neighbor and bring some cheer to patients and residents, if you can.
Editor’s Note: Gerry began free lance writing for fun and is the author of a published book (available on Amazon and at Books Plus) about funny real estate experiences. Gerry is a longtime member of our local American Business Women’s Chapter, a volunteer cancer driver and church deacon who loves to read, travel and meet interesting people.
That is such a heartwarming story! Pets can bring such joy, and I’m glad to hear about this program.