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Seniors' pet project |
| Channels » Home » News » Seniors' pet project |
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March 29, 2005 |
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Jane Hodson, Staff writer
The Daily Reporter
Greenfield, Ind.
It's a little before lunchtime at Brandywine Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. George Stunda is having lunch with his daughter, Joni Moeller, and his granddaughter, Emma.
They are eating hamburgers and french fries, and the enticing aroma has caught the attention of Brandywine's youngest employee, 12-year-old Shelby.
The black lab has little silver hairs sprinkled throughout her muzzle and eyebrows. She looks wise, and happy as she performs tricks for a piece of George's hamburger.
“You should see the tricks she can do,” he says while he beams, and leans over in his wheelchair to give Shelby a “high-five.” She then speaks, turns in a circle and sits before receiving the coveted treat.
Shelby is a fixture at Brandywine, and she has many friends to visit during the day.
Her “mom” is Jinx Oberly, executive director of the facility.
“I started bringing Shelby in on weekends, while I did paperwork last year,” says Jinx, as she walks down the hall, Shelby at her heels.
“Everyone just loved her so much, and there wasn't anyone to keep her company at home, I just started bringing her every day. Now, this is her job.”
Shelby trots down the hall, toward the cafeteria. She has a special friend to visit in the few moments before lunch is served, and Shelby knows she's not allowed in the cafeteria during mealtimes.
She heads straight for the middle cafeteria table, where several women are gathering, and pushes her nose onto the arm of Betty Lyon's wheelchair.
Betty lights up at the sight of Shelby. The retired Lincoln Park Elementary teacher has been in the care of Brandywine since Dec. 28, but became a quick friend of old Shelby.
“Shelby is the best employee they have here,” jokes Betty. “I have never heard her complain, and she is always smiling.”
She said Shelby can convince anyone to give her a snack, and her love for treats actually has a purpose, since she helps the therapists with their physical therapy.
“They can have people work on motor skills, by giving Shelby treats,” says Lyon. “She has a real job here. But, as you can tell, she gets a little too much love—Shelby is losing her girlish figure!”
Lyon keeps a journal for her daughters, so they know what she has done with her time each day. She talks about how she puts a star in her book each day for special visitors.
“I have to tell you,” she whispers leaning forward to tell her story.
“I didn't want anyone to know it was my birthday,” Lyon said. “I didn't have it announced or let them decorate my door. Birthdays are something very private if you want them to be.”
On the morning of Betty's birthday, as she lay in bed waiting for a nurse to help her into her wheelchair, Shelby trotted into her room.
“She came around the curtain, and walked all the way over to my left side, and put her head on my bed,” she said. “I could just see her eyes, and they were so full of love. I know that the Lord sent her to tell me ‘Happy Birthday.’ She just smiled at me, and that's what her eyes said.”
Betty starts crying as she continues her story.
“She went to the other side of my bed, on my right, and did the same thing. She looked right into my face, and gave me another message, that Jesus still loves me, and is here with me. Shelby is my blessing. She brought me that message, so I say now that she is an angel disguised in black fur.”
Oberly says she believes in the benefits of having animals at Brandywine. They have a cat called Lizzie, who stays in the Advanced Care wing.
“They bring our people so much joy,” she said. “I actually encourage our employees to bring in their pets, and also the families of the people here. We have several Yorkies that come to visit on occasion.”
Lizzie and Shelby have been registered, and must have regular health certificates signed by a veterinarian.
The connection between Shelby and the patients at Brandywine is visible. She takes time to stop in every room during her frequent trips down the halls, and is met with a loving pat and kind words everywhere she roams.
She wanders into the dining room one more time after lunch, as attendants clean tables.
Forrest Sluder sits by himself, finishing his lunch, and calls Shelby over. He slyly slips his plate to the floor, letting Shelby finish what he can't eat.
“He loves that dog,” says Oberly, as she looks on. “And Shelby loves everyone. She's been a joy for everyone.”
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