February 2018 – Me and the Doods.com

The Ripple Effect

Recently, I attended a meeting at UCLA where I was moved to tears. A few members of the People Animal Connection were invited to a board meeting with the Friends of Semel, the Institute for Neuroscience. We were there to relate special experiences we’d had while working in the neuropsych units as well as other areas of the hospital. Of course, our canine partners were there too.

Lynne and her Golden Retriever Leo had received a letter from a woman who, as a result of difficult circumstances, had spent an extended time in the psych unit. In an honest, beautifully written note, the patient expressed her gratitude for the essential part they’d played in her recovery. There was not a dry eye in the room as Lynne read the raw, heartfelt words.

Jane, a long time PAC volunteer, shared about two different patients who had done pictures of her dogs. These were such generous gifts from people who were suffering from major emotional or psychological issues. The first is a painting of her late, sweet Daisy. The second is of Bubbles, her fun-loving Lab who was at the meeting that morning.

Erin Rice, the director of PAC, told an incredible story that exemplifies the power of our dogs. As part of the No One Dies Alone Program, Delancey, a black Lab, was brought in to sit with a man in his late thirties who was unresponsive and actively dying. Initially, even as they put his hands on the dog, there was no response. Then, miraculously and to the amazement of the family members crowded into his hospital room, the patient woke up and began communicating with his loved ones. Everyone had the chance to say their goodbyes. A few hours later he passed away peacefully.

We all nodded our heads as we heard about agitated, disruptive patients who calmed down while they were petting one of our dogs. We also related to stories about patients who, after long periods of withdrawal or depression, suddenly smiled or spoke during a visit.

As I listened to the stories and shared some of my own, it was overwhelming to think about the far reaching effects of the dogs, even at UCLA alone. PAC started in 1994 with only a few dogs. Today there are over seventy in the program. Can you imagine if each handler shared just one story?

I also thought about the ripple effect. For each patient who is helped by one of the dogs, how many others enjoy the benefits? For each sick child who giggles in delight as a PAC dog cuddles on the bed, there may be a mom, a dad, a brother a sister, or even a grateful staff member who will never forget that moment.

🐩Canine Cupids🐶

ELBEE OMG she stole the title of this post from a UCLA email about the Valentines Day event.

Okay, yes I did but it was better than anything I could come up with. As for the event, you know how sometimes you throw a party and everything just seems to come together? That’s what Wednesday was like. Several dogs from the People Animal Connection, all decked out for the holiday, were there to celebrate. Gus looked a little embarrassed when I put heart tinsel and a red hat on him but that was nothing compared to Gracie and Baylee in their cute dresses

Instead of traveling around the hospital in a “pack” as we usually do for Christmas caroling, we split up into small groups delivering cards and gifts to patients and staff all over the hospital. I think because we went into so many areas simultaneously, the atmosphere became very festive. There were countless smiles. There was laughter. There were wagging tails.

Gus was paired up with his buddy Tommy. By the way, kudos to Tommy for remaining humble even though a fellow Bichon had won Westminster the day before. From the executive offices, to the Emergency Department to Maddie’s room, where anxious family members wait for news about their loved ones in surgery, the dynamic duo worked their magic. The phrase that Tommy’s person Donna and I heard over and over again was, “That is just so much cuteness.”

ELBEE Pardon the interruption, but I think I’m going to be sick. And no, I’m not jealous.

Later in the morning, teams gathered outside the hospital for a pet visit station. It was there that the party kicked into high gear. We gave out cards, candy and gifts but the dogs were the best valentines. A young girl in a wheel chair giggled as we brought the dogs to her. Toddlers holding onto parents’ hands stopped in wide-eyed wonder. Patients, families and staff members came outside to say hello. I can’t even count how many times I heard someone say, “This made my day.”

I was in a very upbeat mood when I headed to the car with Gus. Then I turned on the radio and heard about the mass shooting in Florida. It was a shooting so awful that there is no way to minimize the horror. What brought it home even more was that two of my cousins graduated from Marjory S. Douglas High School years ago. How sad that this is the second time in one of my posts that I’ve felt the need to mention a mass shooting out of respect for the people who were directly impacted.

Our dogs spent the morning at UCLA cheering everyone up, bringing them moments of joy. Now there are dogs in Florida who are working selflessly to help with the healing process in the aftermath of another unspeakable tragedy.

They Work Hard for No Money

Psychologists often talk about over programming your children with school, lessons, extra-curricular activities etc. It made me think. Is it possible to over program your dog?

Recently, the Doods visited five places over the course of a week, including UCLA Medical Center and Providence Tarzana Hospital. To cap it off, they cheered up my friend Roberta who continues her brave fight against brain cancer.

They say a dog needs a job but did I give them too many jobs? Despite the fact that I may have overbooked them, Elbee and Gus never complained. They were ready to go. There was no judgment, no hesitation… no guilt trip. Actually the only time I get attitude is if I leave them alone for too long.

Whether it was a disturbed child who offered a clumsy hug or a bedridden patient who simply needed them to sit quietly for petting, they knew exactly what to do. Dogs seem to have an innate ability to offer comfort without expectation. Financial consideration aside, how many of us would work simply for a smile or a thank you?

People sometimes say the dogs couldn’t do it without me, but I never lose sight of the fact that it’s always about them. After all, they’re called therapy dogs and I’m called a handler. Okay, if I’m going to be perfectly honest it’s nice to have someone say “bless you” to me when I haven’t sneezed, but I know that I’m in a supporting role.

Since dogs don’t complain it really is the handler’s job to care for and protect them. It’s to make sure they’re happy and not getting too tired. It’s to watch for the look in their eyes, the droopy tail. They do the heavy lifting. The handlers do the security.

Years ago a woman, who was going through orientation to bring her dog into UCLA, shadowed me and Charley. At the end of our “rounds,” she quietly confided that she was a little shy and was afraid she’d have problems interacting with patients. I assured her that with her dog guiding her it would never be an issue.

This morning as I was walking Elbee and Gus, I couldn’t stop thinking about how unselfishly they had worked that week, wondering if I’d done the right thing. Just then, by chance, I met Gilbert, an older man with a very gentle demeanor. He thought he recognized us from UCLA and stopped to chat.

Turns out that Gilbert is not only a dog lover, he also has the utmost respect for them and a belief that they need a purpose, a job. As a volunteer helping the blind, he has come into contact with several seeing eye dogs. He told me that he is amazed at their intuition and all they do for their people. He also shared that he has been studying the psychology of dogs. He confirmed what had just been running though my head. He said they were one of the only species that would put humans before themselves.

It may have been coincidence that we ran into Gilbert, but sometimes the universe works in unusual ways. You cross paths with a stranger and have a brief but meaningful connection. It’s as if the universe can read your mind.

I’ve Got Friends in High Places

It’s no secret that the mountains are my spiritual, tranquil and creative space. Now it seems that I have a much better social life up there too. Since I’m not much of a “go to lunch” person, it makes sense that I would have a lot in common with other people out hiking. Note to the daughters: I said hiking not wandering.

ELBEE The jury is still out on that one.

We “regulars”run into each other so often that we greet each other like long lost relatives. Yolanda and Francisco, a fun couple, always stop to take pictures. Sandy, a young mom who hikes after she drops her kids at school, tells me that I’m her inspiration.

ELBEE I hate to burst Pack Leader’s bubble but that may have been an age crack.

Then there’s Kim, who does what I think is Tai Chi on an overlook but who always calls out encouragement. I promised a friend I’d mention the long haired shirtless runner we’ve nicknamed “Fabio” for obvious reasons. Yesterday I commiserated with Ted who lost his Labrador Retriever a short time ago. He told me that recently when he and his wife were watching I Love You Man, he saw me and Charley and said, “hey, that’s my hiking buddy.”

ELBEE The cameo that will live on in infamy.

Last weekend I went hiking with Gary, who is like a son to me. His mom was my dearest friend Eileen who passed away years ago, way too soon. It was a perfect day so we ran into several people in my mountain circle of friends. After a ton of enthusiastic greetings and “where are the dogs?” Gary jokingly remarked, “You should run for mayor of the mountains.”

At first I laughed but then I realized that maybe he was right. Politics is a wide open field right now and women are at the forefront. I could suddenly hear John Denver singing “mountain mama” but I could change it to “mountain grandma” as I made my ascent. I knew my constituents. I knew the issues. I could get rid of litter, open more trails to the dogs. I was a shoe in for the job

ELBEE News Flash! I think mayor of the mountains is an honorary position. On second thought, this might be perfect for me! Doesn’t the honorary mayor need an honorary press secretary? I speak three languages, Dog, English and Spanish plus a few words in French. I’m good in front of a crowd. I’m popular. I’m photogenic.

On the other hand, I have strong opinions and am pretty outspoken. Come to think of it, maybe I should be mayor of the mountains. I would even throw Gus a bone and let him be my honorary PR guy.