For years, as far back as Charley and Elbee, the Doods and I have taken part in the UCLA Medical Center Halloween celebration. Teams from the People Animal Connection parade through the hospital, dressed in costumes, giving treats to the patients.
ELBEE I always looked fabulous.
I have such fond memories of the laughter of families and staff accompanied by lots of giggling from the children.
This year it was a virtual Halloween celebration. Several teams met on Zoom to visit people in the hospital. Not exactly a parade but still a chance to reach out and spread some cheer.
ELBEE Did they give out “virtual” candy?
Stanley and Gus got an early start on the holiday when we virtually visited the kids in the neuropsych units. It was a few days before Halloween, but seriously, would I ever pass up the chance to decorate the dogs?
ELBEE Heaven forbid.
As you can see from the photos, there’s a real theme to their costumes. Who doesn’t love a good multi-colored wig?
Coincidentally, when I was going through my card stash, trying to find a birthday card for a friend’s 80 year old mother, I found this card that totally proves my point. 
ELBEE Her “stash?” And who are the other 4%?
I admit that I bought the second rainbow wig, forgetting that I had one at home. Still, what a perfect way for me to join in. I’m not a big fan of costumes but wigs and cute pumpkin shirts, I’m in. It turned out to be a wonderful way to engage the kids.
Strangely, hair became the theme of the whole week. I was on a hiking trail with 
a friend when a woman stopped to chat. She said, “I know you. You’re the one with the fluffy dogs. We call you the three blondes.” What a great title for our act. Maybe America’s Got Talent is not out of the question.
Then Jen, who runs PAC, told me about an encounter she’d had. She met a woman in the hall of the hospital who said, “You know I met one of your dogs back on the 4th floor when I worked there. The lady had wild hair like her dogs.”
When Jen showed her a picture of me and the Doods, the woman said, “Yup! that’s her! She got me over my fear of dogs.”
Once again, so passionate about the work they do, I’ve shared a story of how the dog visits resonate with people. They touch lives in ways we may never even know or truly understand. This one was about the Doods, but I guarantee that every person involved with a therapy animal has beautiful stories to tell. Not everyone, however, has fabulous wig photos.
