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A different kind of therapy: Dog helps residents cope with life on Memory Lane |
| BL » News » A different kind of therapy: Dog helps residents cope with life on Memory Lane |
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January 20, 2003 |
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This article by Rachel E. Sheeley was reprinted with permission from the Jan. 20, 2003, edition of the Palladium-Item in Richmond, Ind.
Shelby can pretty much do what she wants to do.
The Shetland sheepdog can sleep in a warm corner, wander around freely and find plenty of hands willing to pet her. Shelby is a new resident on Memory Lane, the Alzheimer's care unit at Beverly Healthcare Golden Rule.
Unit director Rosella Bennett, a registered nurse, adopted the 11-year-old sheltie from Sheltie Rescue of Central Indiana to live on the unit and offer a different kind of therapy.
The pet has been welcomed with open arms.
"She's a sweetheart," said resident Ruth Croft. "Come on, come see your grandma," Croft cooed to Shelby as the dog visited the sunroom where the residents often gather.
Croft petted Shelby enthusiastically and then asked Bennett if she could hold her. Shelby went willingly and sat still while Croft hugged her close, a grin on her face.
"She's worth her weight in gold to see the smiles," Bennett said. "We're so lucky. It's almost like she was made to be here."
Bennett got the idea to bring a dog onto the unit one day when someone visited with a puppy. The residents' faces just glowed, and she realized they needed someone to love them that they could love in return. She began her quest for a dog.
She learned that a Muncie Beverly Healthcare facility had a rescued sheltie. A Golden Rule resident's family also recommended shelties, and that led to the adoption of Shelby. Bennett had to go through a screening process, and adopting the dog cost $150.
Shelby moved into Golden Rule much like a human. In the unit office, there is a file on her just like any resident, with information about her health and medical history, her likes and dislikes, and suggestions for taking good care of her.
Shelby has a crate and her food, which is donated by Hills Pet Products, in the library. A half-door has been installed on the unit office to keep her in during resident mealtimes. There is a courtyard off the unit where she can go outside to bark and run.
Shelby is not trained for the job. She just seems to be a natural. She is calm around the residents, never jumping, never acting pushy, and just accepting attention when given.
"She seems to come up to everybody and let them pet her," said Joanie McKinley, a certified nursing assistant on the unit.
"She goes around and checks on everybody," said Susan Kuhens, a licensed practical nurse on the unit. "They all look for her too."
On her first day, Shelby went to the knee of every resident, giving them a chance to get to know her, Bennett said.
"It has really made a difference with some of the residents," said Janice Isaacs, a licensed practical nurse on the unit.
For example, one resident must start the day with a much-hated shot. However, if Isaacs asks her about Shelby as she prepares for the shot, the resident hardly notices.
Other residents don't speak much, Bennett said, but with Shelby they have become more talkative and some have clearer speech.
It helps the staff too.
"I look forward to coming to work in the morning to see the dog," Bennett said. "I would love for her to be here forever.
"I'm hoping she learns to love everybody as much as they've come to love her," Bennett said. "She's made a difference in their life and I hope they make a difference in hers."
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