SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT
By Laurie Jensen
The nursing home called to ask if I would bring my little Yorkie MEGAN to visit a patient who had become unresponsive to all attempts to reach him. Leo is very old, can barely hear, and is almost blind. He had withdrawn from life. We scheduled a visit.
Upon our arrival, the nurse gently awoke Leo, who responded gruffly, saying, “Leave me alone”. Her attempts to communicate to him that he had a visitor went unanswered. We decided to put Megan on the bed with him. I placed her lying down near Leo’s arm, and then gently took his hand and placed it on Megan. His initial response was one of confusion, but when he realized it was a dog, he began to stroke her. His large gnarled hands read over her head and body so tenderly. We sat quietly for some time. Occasionally Leo would stop petting Megan and she would wiggle about under his hand to remind him she was there.
The nurse told me Leo was a diabetic and they were having a difficult time getting him to eat or drink. He was very thin and frail. After awhile, Leo surprised us by saying, to Megan, “you’re a nice little doggie; get me something to drink”. Leo drank a whole glass of juice that morning, and the nurse pleaded with me to bring Megan again. We made two or three visits a week over the next three months. Leo was always gruff, saying things like “go away”, until he realized the dog was there. He began to tell Megan how he felt. She would listen and gently place a paw on him. He said he just wanted to die. But, he always told her she was a nice doggy and he always drank his juice.
I became accustomed to the routine: wake Leo up, put Megan with him, and let them do their thing. I would just sit back and watch. As Leo had never acknowledged my presence, I was startled one day when he directed a question to me. He wanted to know what color was Megan, and he lifted his head and cupped his hand around his “good” ear so he could hear my answer. Then he said “that’s a good little doggie, get me some lunch”.
Since that day, Leo included me in his conversations with Megan, sometimes telling us stories about hunting with his Cocker Spaniel. He began to look and feel better, and in contrast to his abrasive conduct in the beginning, he began to thank us for coming and invite us to visit again. He began to communicate with the nurses and became more interested in the happenings around him. In short, he began to spend more time living, and less time dying.
With all that modern medicine and caring people have to offer, it took the comforting spirit and unconditional love of a “little doggie” to bring Leo out of his darkness.
Therapy Dogs can prompt various responses in the people they visit. For some, like Leo, the results can be dramatic. For many, the dog is someone safe with whom to express feelings and share affection. For others, the dog may simply arouse fond memories or add variety to an otherwise routine day.
Whatever the case, Therapy Dogs make a positive difference, and sharing your dog can be a most worthwhile and rewarding experience.
