Daisy, a red miniature dachshund, who will turn eight in April, is a willing volunteer with Ottawa Therapy Dogs. On Tuesday mornings, she ‘suits up’ and visits the dementia units at Bronson Place. Her sister, Lily, a black and tan mini-dachshund, is a READ dog, in a separate OTD program. Here’s a peek into what Tuesdays seems like from Daisy’s perspective. Don’t worry if Lily seems jealous. She will get her turn later.
A day in the life of Daisy, an Ottawa Therapy Dog, with interruptions from Lily.
It’s only eight o’clock in the morning and already there’s trouble. If I hide under the blankie, mom can’t see me and I won’t have to get my nails clipped and filed. I hate that. So undignified. What? Is there a hole in this blankie? She found me again. She’s talking about how important it is to have nicely filed nails if you are visiting fragile people. Sure, but how about talking a treat after each paw?
At least it wasn’t the B-A-T-H. What? Oh no!!! It is. I should be safe behind the dining room table. How do they do that? I think people can find us poor dogs everywhere. And don’t they know that B-A-T-H is a four-letter word? They are aware that I hate the tub and the oatmeal shampoo. And what’s with checking my ears and cleaning my teeth? Again!!! All that yada yada and making sure we’re squeaky clean without any germs on us before we go on a Therapy Dog visit. Good thing I really like the people at Bronson Place, that’s all I can say. Of course, a treat would make me feel better until I get dried off.
Don’t bother laughing, Lily. Your turn is coming on Friday. You’ll be in the B-A-T-H and even sprayed with anti-dander solution. So there.
It’s almost ten o’clock. Why aren’t we leaving? We don’t want to be late. I’ve been manicured. I’ve had my bath. Where’s my beautiful red scarf? Where’s my leash? What’s the hold up? Time to get to work! Into the car. Now! I wouldn’t mind a treat to calm me.
Lily is sulking because I have my scarf on and am ready to go and she has to stay home because it’s not her day. Get over it, Lily.
We’re here at Bronson Place! I like to scamper down the street to get to the door. I can hardly wait! Sometimes another therapy dog comes too. His name is Tucker. I explained to Tucker that this was my place and he explained that it was his. We worked it out after a while. He’s on a different floor at least.
Jen Dare is the program director for our units. She is always waiting for us in the foyer. Some of the staff are there too, like Grace from the second floor. She loves dachshunds. Take that, Tucker. We know Deb at the desk and Larry too and also Valerie in the gift shop. It’s a cheerful place.
We are going into BP1, our first unit. We have lots of friends there. Many people miss their dogs and love it when mom lifts me up for a pat. They are not supposed to give me food or treats but I keep hoping. There’s a yellow bird named Angel in the lounge. Angel looks delicious. People are circled around watching old movies, but they are glad to see me. I visit all my favourite friends.
I get lifted up so they can see me and pat me and then we move down the hall. Some ladies are sitting in chairs and they like to stroke my ears. Sometimes people need help to stroke me and mom and Jen usually help with that. We always ask if the people would like to see me. Why wouldn’t they? Oh well. Sometimes people are having a bad day. We hope for better luck next time.
Lots of people are having morning naps and they smile when they open their eyes and see me. Some people even remember that I am called a dachshund! Some say puppy although I am eight years old. We let it slide. We go to the room at the end of the hall where our special friends are. There’s a lady there who loves and misses dogs. She is a wonderful artist and has pictures of animals all over the walls. She is very special to me and I think my tail might wag right off when I see her. She gets so happy that sometimes there are tears in her eyes. Everyone laughs a lot when I am there. I am not sure why.
Oh, look at the time! We are heading upstairs to BP2. Almost everyone here is in a wheelchair. It is hard for some of them to talk. We have to help them a bit more, sometimes even guide their hands. One lady sings to me every week. I really like that. Another lady giggles. I really like the big smiles we get from our friends and knowing that we bring some happiness to people on our visits.
I guess treats aren’t everything.
Is it over? Already? Well, I am a pretty pooped pup. We take the elevator down and sign out. I will go home now and have a four-hour nap as a warm up for a good sleep tonight. I know I did my best today and brought some joy to people. I have a great job!
Respectfully submitted in hopes of a treat,
Daisy Maffini, OTD
Ottawa Therapy Dogs (OTD) is a registered charity which has been active in the Ottawa area since 2000. Currently 100 members regularly visit over 1,000 clients. OTD serves clients in the community who are particularly vulnerable. Each volunteer handler and his/her registered therapy dog visits clients in hospitals, schools, seniors’ facilities or other community institutions. For example, the Reading Education Assistance Dogs’’ (R.E.A.D.®) program in schools and libraries aims to improve students’’ literacy skills and foster a love of reading. Research confirms the physical, emotional and social benefits of animal assistance and therapy with people. The contribution made by OTD to the local community, although difficult to measure, is highly valued by clients and their families as well as health and educational professionals. Lily is hoping to blog about her wonderful experiences with this program. Soon. Maybe after her nap.
You can find out more about this terrific community program at www.ottawatherapydogs.ca. Tell your dog!
Daisy and Lily can sometimes be found at Mom's website: www.maryjanemaffini.com
 Mary Jane Maffini
Mary Jane Maffini is a lapsed librarian and a former mystery bookseller who writes three mystery series and has a great time volunteering with her miniature dachshund therapy dogs. Her newest book is called The Busy Woman's Guide to Murder. Coincidentally, it also contains therapy dogs too. |
