COMPASSIONATE PAWS

MY AUSTRALIAN LABRADOODLE AND I ARE PART OF THE DYNAMIC TEAM OF THERAPY DOGS AND THEIR HANDLERS ALONG WITH OUR SUPPORTIVE AHS VOLUNTEER CO-ORDINATORS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA HOSPITAL.  I LOVE SEEING THE CHANGE IN A PATIENT'S FEELINGS WHEN THEY ARE IMPACTED BY THE LOVE OF OUR FURRY FRIENDS. THE DOGS ARE SILENT LISTENERS AND SEEM TO KNOW WHAT THE PATIENT IS NEEDING IN THAT MOMENT. A WARM FUZZY HUG, A FURRY NECK TO SHED SOME TEARS, A PAW GENTLY NUGDING TO BE PET BY A STROKE PATIENT, A LONG GAZE INTO THEIR SOULFUL EYES AND JUST COMPANY FOR ANY PATIENT FEELING LONELY.  I WISH WE COULD BOTTLE THE CHANGES WE SEE BEFORE OUR EYES AND SHOW YOU BUT FOR US VOLUNTEERS IT IS ALWAYS THERE IN OUR HEART AND WE ALL HAVE MANY IMAGES AND MEMORIES THAT WILL STAY WITH US FOREVER AND MANY TIMES WITH THE PATIENTS AS WELL. MANY OF US RUN INTO THE SAME PATIENTS LATER ON, OFTEN WHEN THEY ARE FEELING BETTER AND MAYBE COMING IN FOR A FOLLOW UP TREATMENT AND I'LL NEVER FORGET ONE GENTLEMAN TELL ME HE STILL HAS ARIA'S POST CARD ON HIS NIGHT STAND AND THAT THOSE TIMES WITH HER AT THE HOSPITAL MEANT SO MUCH TO HIM AND HIS WIFE. THIS IS WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO AND LOVE IT:)