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Therapy pups lift spirits at Greeley Healthcare Center |
| Channels » Home » News » Therapy pups lift spirits at Greeley Healthcare Center |
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March 8, 2006 |
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The Stillwater Gazette
Stillwater, Minnesota
By Elliot Mann
emann@mnsun.com
Lucille Larson was at the end of her rope.
The Greeley Healthcare Center resident had broke [sic] her back. After rehabilitation for that injury, she snapped her hip. Bypassing what seemed to be endless therapy, Larson withdrew from many activities.
But one therapist, "Nani," wasn't deterred. The 4-year-old black standard poodle provides residents at Greeley with pet therapy. She freely roams the halls during the day, going from room to room to say hello to various residents.
Pet therapy is believed to improve the quality of life and attitudes of patients, Greeley Healthcare Center Executive Director Matthew Kern said. Animals can trigger lower blood pressure levels as well, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Nani recently returned to the center from "maternity leave," having given birth to seven puppies.
Back at work, Nani did everything she could to improve Larson's spirits. She jumped through hula-hoops and played beanbag catch with the downtrodden resident. Eventually, after many days of laughs with Nani, Larson continued with her other therapy.
Because of her breed, size and temperament, Nani is the ideal dog for pet therapy, said Sue Tennis, Greeley Healthcare Center director of admissions and Nani's owner. Because Nani stands roughly 3 feet tall on all fours, she is visible to people in wheelchairs and does not cause residents or workers to trip. Poodles are also hypo-allergenic--they don't shed--an important characteristic in a healthcare center environment.
Nani works a full schedule, playing with residents from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at the center. Wandering through different rooms, she interacts with residents in a variety of ways. Nani is even allowed to climb on beds to take naps with residents. She is only placed in her kennel during meal times.
"She is so intelligent," Tennis said. "If someone isn't really a dog person, she seems to really sense that."
Larson, though admittedly not a dog person, said she "doesn't mind Nani at all. She's so friendly you can't help but like her," she said.
Proving the appeal of pets to residents in the center, resident Jean Lewis was enamored with Nani when she saw the dog last week.
"Is she for sale?" she jokingly asked Tennis.
Nani reminded Jean of her former border collie, Cinnamon. Jean and Cinnamon became close after her husband passed away. The center brings in other animals once a month. The pets make an instant connection with the residents, she said.
"These dogs do something that you can't put into words," Jean said.
The idea to bring pet therapy to Greeley came from a meeting between Kern and Tennis. Tennis had previous pet therapy experience--working in a Hawaiian healthcare center that placed a great deal of focus on pet treatment.
"It's a huge advantage for our center," Kern said of the pet therapy program. "It doesn't go without small problems, but the benefits outweigh the obstacles so far that it's not even measurable."
Noticing a cost-effective way to provide another form of therapy, Kern agreed to create the program. Nani came to the center from Hawaii, arriving at Greeley as a rambunctious 3-month-old pup.
"It's pretty amazing to bring a puppy into a nursing home," Tennis said. "A puppy is a puppy whether you are at your home or in a nursing home."
In addition to learning the ropes at Greeley, Nani trained at Animal Inn in Lake Elmo for three years, eventually obtaining her Companion Dog Excellence (CDX) license. The licensing process trains the companion dogs to follow wheelchairs and remain at normal levels of temperance during volatile conditions.
"When she comes around, it's instant smiles," Greeley Physical Therapist Pam Becker said. "Some people don't have family members. With her it's just unconditional love."
As Becker sang the praises of Nani's effect on the residents, giggles erupted from behind her as Nani chased a beanbag thrown by Larson.
"I don't know that I've ever seen a dog as friendly as Nani," Larson said.
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