Had to tell you about today's therapy session. This was a Day Away session where they bring people in to the facility from their homes to give their caregivers a break. They come in for a day of various activities, including lunch, games and of course visits from some big dogs. These folks vary in degree of dependence. There are always a few Alzheimers folks with varying degrees of severity. We go in from 1:30 PM to about 2:15 PM. They sit the group - anywhere from 10 to 20 folks - in a circle of chairs in a large room and the dogs visit from person to person. We usually take the dogs off-leash and they wander around the circle visiting the folks, which is fine as long as all are seated. There are also a couple of staff members there with me.
 
Today I brought Molly and Rowdy. I spent the first 30 minutes trying to separate the two of them. They both wanted to visit each person, but together. I would guide one of them to another part of the circle but they eventually ended up with both of their heads in the same person's lap and usually right where I happened to be sitting or standing.
 
There was one gentleman in attendance today by the name of Dave. He was elderly and had advanced Alzheimers. He could barely move, could not lift his head, could not speak. When I brought one of the dogs to him he could hardly move his hand to pet the dog, but he tried. He obviously loved the dogs but could not communicate at all.
 
Near the end of the session, I was just starting to think about gathering up our stuff and the dogs when Rowdy very suddenly and quickly left a lady he was visiting with Molly and very deliberately and quickly turned to go to the other end of the room (about 30 feet away) to where Dave was sitting alone with his head still hung down. He marched over there and immediately laid his head on Dave's lap. The staff and I noticed this right away; it was so obvious. He stayed there, not moving his head for a good 10 minutes. Dave managed to get his hand on top of Rowdy's head but very little actual petting going on so it was not because of the attention that Rowdy headed over to him.
 
The last time I saw that kind of sensitivity was a couple of times with Rimshot and of course Bailey, many years ago. It was really nice to see. Once again these dogs amaze.
 
Bill Ball

Rowdy and Molly are both Therapy Dogs and enjoy their duties as much as the residents enjoy meeting and interacting with them. At one point, Rowdy went to the lady in blue and buried his head under her arm and wouldn't move. Had the whole room in stitches.

Bill Ball

The article below appeared in the November issue of The Lodger.

Bill Ball

It seems Marcarpents The Rowdyman (aka Rowdy) is following in Rimshot's footsteps and is now in training as a Therapy Dog. Read the article from the Cornwall Standard-Freeholder below and scroll down for photos.

Bill Ball