Maryanne and Gizmo - Garden girls pt.1

In the summer, many individuals love to tend to their gardens, myself included. However, moving to a Long Term Care home can prove frustrating when there is inaccessibility to a garden plot to be able to plant or enjoy the outdoors. This is the beginning of a story where I met a lovely woman, nurtured her green thumb and her long lost bond with animals.


I met a woman named *Maryanne when I was visiting another client with Cujo. Maryanne appeared shy, withdrawn, yet curious and even from across the sitting room where the other resident were practicing verbal commands with Cujo, I could see her intrigue as we practiced on leash commands with the little one, hoping to get him to learn to roll over one day. The other resident and I visit each other once a week, practice some training techniques with little C as thats what she loved to do. After this we would talk over tea as Cujo napped in her lap, discussing the grief she had over being the the last of her siblings to remain living. Out of the corner of my eye, Maryanne would still watch us with a sort of half cocked smile but would avert her eyes quickly once she realized she was noticed.

One day after I was done therapy with my regular resident, I went over to Maryanne to introduce myself; she extended her hand and gave both Cujo and I the warmest of introductions. She then went on to share with me the details of her past regarding her love of animals and the sadness she felt unable to have an animal of her own. There are caged budgies on one of the floors and a small fish tank on another but she stated it didnt feel the same, of course, which is completely understandable. Maryanne missed that companionship, the bond between pet owner and their beloved; Maryanne used to raise rabbits on a farm and recalled how often she would sit by the pen and admire their curious nature and cotton soft fur. Now the farm days were virtually non existent for Maryanne however as she has limited mobility due to stroke.

I thanked Maryanne for the talk, and agreed to say hello next time I came in, her jokingly saying "You know where to find me!" and immediately after went to visit with the activation department in the facility. After a few weeks of paperwork, our first visit was set in action.

Gizmo the guinea pig would accompany me on this journey. Not a rabbit, no, but in my realm of AAT furry and feathered friends, I felt she would be the closest fit; although Maryanne took a liking to Cujo, I felt it wasn't the best match. When we arrived, Maryanne had such a look of surprise, shock and delight on her face, I was truly excited to see how she would react to her first meet and greet with this tiny ball of fur. Gizmo travels with me in a covered carried (think of a rabbit sized pet crate that's fabric) or in a basket, lined with blankets and a half cover for shade; I know from her reaction she enjoys the basket and in the summer, I tend to go with this option more, especially if not traveling too far. My new friend reached for the basket and started to coo and scratch Gizmos head and Giz settled in for some more. After explaining to Maryanne the type of animal Gizmo was, how I care for her, the lifespan, the living quarters and how she got along with my other pets, she began to sing to her while feeding her some greens. I am unsure of the tune as it was in Dutch, but watching her was like watching a mother or father sing a lullaby to a baby; the tenderness and kindness in her beautiful words and voice were captivating.

After a short visit of thirty minutes, we said goodbye and Maryanne was eager to see us the next week, same time, same place. As we left Maryanne waved through the window and I knew what was to come would be one of the most unique experiences of my (and Gizmo's!) life....

Costa Rican AAT Association

I was reading some articles this afternoon and saw this one; a lovely photo and really inspiring to know that Animal Assisted Therapy is becoming a prevalent option for treatment all over the world.

http://www.ticotimes.net/Weekend/Dog-assisted-therapy-helps-kids-elderly_Friday-April-01-2011

Mr. C - The beginning. (Pt.1)

*Mr. C. The man who noone seemed to understand. The man who noone seemed to WANT to understand...this is the beginning of his story.

I received a call from an outsourcing agency, looking for recreational therapists to come in to the Long Term Care Facility where Mr.C  lived and complete a working interview. This interview would consist of dinner with Mr.C, and of course, some therapeutic programming prior to meal time. The woman on the other end of the line described my potential soon to be client as a tall, handsome yet quiet man who enjoyed a good steak and potatoes. I smiled on the other end of the line and wondered to myself "Who doesn't?", with all due respect to my vegetarian and vegan friends of course. We agreed on a date and time and I found myself excited to meet Mr. C, as well as speak with the program director about incorporating a therapy animal to help with our goal setting.

Arriving at the beautiful Long Term Care facility, I was greeted by bubbly receptionists and a smiling 70-something woman with beautiful snowy hair and crimson lips. I received two codes for the pinpads attached to the doors leading to Mr.C's unit.

You see, Mr. C is not allowed to leave his unit alone. He cannot wander the facility, he cannot view the garden from a sunny bench and he cannot decide he wants a freezie on a summer day or to visit a coffee shop and skim the paper.

Mr.C has Alzheimers.

After pushing the spongy buttons on the keypads with the two numeric sets, I entered the unit and was met by a lovely woman named Samara. She was the head of Recreational Programming and seemed very enthused that I came, however appeared a bit worried as well. We entered a small office decorated with slogans about empowerment, integrity and aging; on her desk was a picture of a small grey cat - a good sign, I figured. Samara went on to tell me more about Mr. C. His likes - television, walks, bed. His dislikes - Most people, loud noises, bright lights, dinner interruptions, long books, the snow, paint on his hands, playing cards, any music but classical...the list seemed endless. I wasn't worried though, because although the list of dislikes far outweighed the list of likes, I wanted to help. I wondered when I was going to be hit with the real issue and  then I was. Mr.C has been physically aggressive with eight, yes eight, of his previous caregivers/therapists. Samara stated some said he just "flipped out" others said he was "such an ANGRY man" and while I listened to more, I refused to just accept it and believe it all. Don't get me wrong, the idea of being punched by a 70 year old war vet terrified me, yet I didn't want to just abandon this human being and leave him to a lifetime of public television re-runs and cold shepherds pie. With a nod and my agreeing to meet him, we left the office and started down the hall toward his unit; my hands were clammy.

I entered the room behind Samara who knocked first and greeted Mr. C by his first name. As I looked down, I saw a smiling man, upside down in bed in striped pyjamas (it was 3:30 pm), glasses askew and eyes bright. Samara asked Mr. C why he didn't let the nurse dress him this morning and he continued to stare and smile. I introduced myself and went to shake his hand with no response. After excusing us both from the room, Samara said this behaviour was typical and would often occur daily for weeks, sometimes months at a time. I agreed to stay for my interview and said I would give it my all. We reviewed proper practice for placing and positioning oneself with a potentially aggressive or combative individual and she wished me luck, smiled and walked down the hall, adding to meet me back in her office at 6:00. I had 2 and a half hours with Mr.C.

I tried to talk to him, I tried to make him laugh. I tried to ask if he wanted a walk, a glass of juice, to be read to, to look at the paper. No, no, no, no; the only response I could get was a shake of his head at the juice and him looking into my eyes when I asked each other question. I felt sad, frustrated and wondered what could help as I watched him trace the outline of his comforter and pick at the cuff of his pajama top. I knew helping Mr.C could take months or years if we had that long, and I didn't want to disappoint him or Samara, as well as the  rest of his care team at the centre, but I had a strong idea in mind as to what or who could possible help someone like Mr.C.

She was white, fur soft as a lamb and facial expressions no one I know can deny....

A global view - AAT in correctional facilities

In honour of Canada Day, I have decided to post the link from the Government of Canada below. This information outlines Pet Facilitated Therapy programs in prison facilities - not only in Canada but across the world as well. Aiding individuals maintain their dignity and humanity while incarcerated is also a great interest of mine in AAT, and I truly feel its imperative people have opportunities to develop relationships as well as give back to their communities. These programs are designed to aid prison populations (often female, as risk of suicide and mental illness is much greater) devote time and energy to an animal. This time can  reflect training to become therapy dogs, grooming services, an in South Africa, one particular program upon successful completion of the program even allows inmates to keep their pets! Completely Fascinating!

Global Correctional AAT Programs

Photo derived from:
http://photos.denverpost.com/mediacenter/2011/06/inmate-christopher-vogt-trains-service-dog/

Happy Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day to all of my Canadian friends. Hope you and your families, as well as four legged, two legged or no legged pets enjoy this long weekend. Stay safe and enjoy the beautiful weather...don't forget your sunscreen!

Laura