working dogs – Page 4 – Me and the Doods.com

Lights, Camera, Nostalgia

On Tuesday, Stanley and Gus had their photo shoot for the UCLA calendar, a tradition that I have really come to cherish. During COVID, following protocol, the pictures were taken outside. This year we were back on the B level of the hospital, the same area where Charley and Elbee posed for photos years ago.

The theme of the this year’s calendar was the Olympics with Gus and Stanley looking fabulous in their tennis wear. In 2021, when it was a takeoff on movie titles, Gus was a bride and Stanley a groom for “Man’s Best Friend’s Wedding.

ELBEE I would have made a beautiful bride.

For the 2023 calendar shoot, not only were we back in the regular place, but as always, Juliane, the long time photographer, was there to work her magic. Charley, Elbee, Gus and Stanley have all been in her lens.

To make it even more nostalgic, the dogs were dressed as doctors and nurses, just as they have been in the past. Putting Gus and Stanley in their medical gear felt very familiar.

This cover photo is a special part of the People Animal Connection history. It includes some PAC dogs who are no longer with us but whose amazing work will never be forgotten. Charley and Elbee are in the back row on the right.

ELBEE I’m a PAC icon.

What made the afternoon even more fun was the appreciative audience. So many people who were at the scattered tables, working on laptops or eating lunch, had their phones out to capture the dogs in costume. There was lots of laughter as they watched the dogs posing in their outfits. One doctor even asked to take a photo with them.

The next morning when I went back to UCLA with Stanley to visit our regular neuropsych units, he had a very special moment with the teens. As we were gathered in the day room, some of the kids suggested bringing in one particular boy who had severe issues but loved dogs.

A few minutes later, his one-on-one aid brought him in to join us. He had very awkward movement and I believe was severely autistic. He was also non-verbal. Two things immediately stuck me as he stood by the doorway. One was the joy on his face as soon as he saw Stanley. The other was the kindness of the kids in the group. They were so encouraging when he tried to pet Stanley and in almost a whisper said a few words like “soft” and “nice dog.”

Watching his interactions with Stanley really made me think. Dressing the dogs like doctors and nurses for the calendar is lighthearted fun. Yet they all possess such healing spirits.

More Special Moments

This week was all dog all the time. They had more activities than my daughters did when they were little. Looking back it seems like a blur of fur and wagging tails, but then, as always, there were moments that stood out.

Stanley visited the neuropsych units at UCLA. On our way in to see the teens, I heard one of the therapists say, almost to herself, “They’re all so depressed. I hope the dog can do something.” Glancing into the day room, I saw what she meant.

Miraculously, as we walked in, I could feel the mood shift. Most of the kids dropped down on the floor with us. Even the few who stayed at the tables were watching. At first they just quietly petted Stanley but as he lightly put his paws on them and went in for belly rubs, they started warming up.

When he did a few tricks, they really got involved. And no one could resist the accessories. They laughed at the purple sunglasses and the tiaras. It relaxed them enough that they began chatting, telling me about their dogs, sharing stories.

I confess, I also used a photo that I knew would get their attention, the one of me lifting Stanley. Two of the boys immediately said, “You’re bench pressing him!”

ELBEE She can’t help herself. It was cheesy but it worked.

The next day I brought Gus to UCLA for a nurse appreciation meeting but his moment was in the lobby. A patient’s family was sitting on a bench outside of Maddie’s Room. As soon as they saw Gus, two of the men grinned and waved us over.

GUS I was looking particularly fluffy and fabulous.

Knowing how difficult it can be for family and friends who are waiting for word about loved ones, I had Gus do a few tricks to distract them.

When he did his special dance, one of the men stood up, began singing and dancing with him. It was one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen. They lit up the lobby.

This photo was another moment. I took it at the “spa” right after they’d been bathed. Jen, the wonderful groomer who pampers the Doods, wrapped them up in a heart. What could be more perfect!

Gratitude Remembered

At UCLA, Gus and Stanley spend the majority of time working with groups of all ages in the neuropsych units. Since returning to Tarzana Hospital a few months ago, our visits have been focused on the staff, many of whom are still dealing with the emotional toll of COVID.

Last week, Gus went back to doing individual room visits at Tarzana. I had almost forgotten what it was like to knock on a door and watch a patient’s face light up at seeing him standing there.

ELBEE One time when she knocked and asked if the patient would like a visit, the patient looked at her and said, “Not really.” The she saw me, smiled and said, “Please, come in.”

As soon as I put Gus on a patient’s bed, there was an instant personal connection. We had easy conversation while they cuddled with him.

A woman who worked from home told me that friends and family were always dropping off their dogs for her to watch so she usually had several at once. Gus was just what she needed. A woman who did animal rescue was eager to share stories. An elderly patient confided that she liked dogs more than people.

ELBEE That is a wise woman.

We went in to see a little boy around three years old. For a moment he was a bit shy but as soon as Gus waved and did his little dance he started giggling. He was delighted when his parents said it was okay to put Gus on the bed. They seemed so relieved at the distraction while they happily showed me videos of their Labradoodles.

Because it had been awhile, I was overwhelmed with gratitude at watching Gus do his up close magic. He helped patients forget their pain and their anxiety. He made the hospital rooms disappear. A woman in the cardiac unit summed it up when she said “He makes my heart feel better.”

Coincidentally, it was Patient Experience Week, a time to celebrate how the health care staff impacts patient experience. Gus, Stanley and all of their fellow therapy dogs may not technically be staff, but they are definitely health care workers at their finest.

It Was a Good Week

That may seem like an overly optimistic title in these continuously trying times, but Gus and Stanley made it happen. They each had a chance to go into the hospital which was special for me and so many others.

Usually, when I write about the dogs, I’m inspired by an event like the palliative care seminar or a moment with a patient. This week it was a throwback photo that popped up on my Facebook page.

Taken in April 2020, shortly after COVID forced all of the dog visits to be cancelled, it made me appreciate the in-person visits even more.

ELBEE A lot of other photos popped up too… fabulous dogs like moi, crazy flexing, beautiful scenery. Where are her grandchildren?

On Wednesday, Stanley went to UCLA. There is always such an air of excitement whenever one of the PAC dogs walks into the lobby.

As we went from one neuropsych unit to another, everyone, staff included, wanted to give him a hug. Several of the kids tried to convince me to leave him with them, promising to take good care of him.

Friday, I took Gus to Tarzana Hospital. From the moment we walked into the lobby, he was on. His tail was wagging and he seemed to have a constant smile on his face. He was so excited that he was doing his little “dance” on his own and waving at people.

What added a special note to all of our visits was Easter, well actually, Easter accessories. There is nothing like a dog in rabbit ears and sparkly glasses to cheer people up. In our UCLA units, even the adult patients joined the party. They tried on the extra ears I had in my bag. We all played “who wore it best?” It’s no surprise that Stanley won hands down every time.

At Tarzana, so many of the nurses, and a few doctors too, wanted to take photos of Gus. Whenever I asked if anyone would like accessories, the answer was a resounding “yes.” When it came to selfies, they were very excited that I had extra props for them.

**Did you really think I could resist?**

I realize that some of my stories may be repetitive, but I always feel the desire to share the privilege I have of watching therapy dogs at work. I still have the same sense of wonder (with slightly fewer nerves) that I did over fifteen years ago when I began this journey with Charley.

Wishing everyone a happy Easter and a happy Passover from me and the Doods.

The Power of the Dogs

ELBEE Is someone stealing movie titles again?

Wednesday was Gus’s regular morning at UCLA, although, when it comes to therapy dogs, there is no such thing as a “regular” morning, especially since COVID. With the dogs in and out of the hospital so many times, there is almost a collective sigh of relief when they walk in.

With tail wagging, Gus greeted everyone from the crew at valet parking, to families in the lobby to staff. We finally made it up to Resnick on the fourth floor.

As we went from one neuropsych unit to another, starting with the kids under twelve and ending with the adults, there was such a pervasive sense of joy and again a sense of relief.

After a long morning, we headed down to the take-out Subway in the basement of the hospital. It’s become an informal tradition to meet Jen, the manager of PAC, and Donna, human to Gus’s buddies Tommy and Finley, after the dogs make their rounds.

Without saying a word, we all understood how fulfilling, and at times how difficult, the morning had been. As our little heroes rested around us, we began sharing some of the special moments.

I mentioned a young man who was hugging Gus as he told the group how badly he wanted a dog. Awhile later, as we were leaving the floor, we saw him in the hall, carrying his bags, ready to go home.

He rushed over to tell me how much the visit from Gus had meant to him. He said he was glad that he hadn’t been discharged earlier because he would have missed it. He added that Gus had changed his whole mood. He was so earnest and sincere, it almost brought tears to my eyes.

A severely autistic, non-verbal boy focused long enough to put his hand on Gus’s back. It didn’t seem like a lot to me but the therapist said it was “major.”

Tommy and Finley had been in the PICU cheering up very sick children. Donna mentioned three in particular that had been critically ill. One was a seventeen year old boy who smiled and chatted with her while he cuddled the dogs. Only later did she find out how gravely ill he was and that he rarely smiled.

As conversation flowed, I was suddenly overwhelmed. I thought about Gus offering comfort in one area of the hospital while Tommy and Finley were comforting children on another floor. Donna and I were holding their leashes and making sure they were doing okay but they were truly showing us the quiet power of therapy dogs everywhere.

Happy Birthday Gus!

For me, the month of March is an emotional milkshake.

ELBEE Is that a thing?

It was in March of my senior year in high school that my dad passed. My brother Stan’s birthday was March third. Although he’s been gone over twenty-five years, his laughter still resonates in my life

Charley, the gentle giant, and my first therapy dog, died suddenly in March of 2017, the morning after working a student event at the Wooden Center. He lives on in countless memories.

For instance, last week, when I was walking Gus and Stanley in the neighborhood, a man stopped his car to share a story. Years ago he’d been at a UCLA football game at the Rose Bowl when Charley and I walked onto the field during half time. He’d been so surprised to see us that he’d never forgotten it.

ELBEE That was the night they directed her to stand on the ten yard line. When she asked where it was the man said “next to the nine yard line.” And hello! My birthday was March eighth and no one who ever met me has forgotten me.

On a purely positive March note, Gus turned eight on the twenty fifth. What better way to celebrate the occasion than doing what he does best…cheering people up. Along with Jen, the manager of PAC, Gus, Stanley and I paid a visit to the internal medicine residents at UCLA Olive View Medical Center.

We met on a shaded, grassy area outside of the hospital. From the moment the first few doctors approached, everyone was positive and welcoming. Residencies can be extremely stressful but you’d never have known it from watching everyone interact with the dogs.

When I announced that it was Gus’s birthday, the atmosphere became even more festive. It was a regular party. With a little encouragement, everyone sang Happy Birthday and applauded as Gus danced. They laughed when I brought out the sunglasses and tiaras.

ELBEE She’s never met an accessory she didn’t like.

Despite all of the fun, there was a serious undertone. I could see how much the visit meant. It reinforced what our therapy dogs can accomplish simply by being present and loving. Since COVID, they have had an even more important role in comforting, not only patients and their families. but hospital staff as well.

A doctor rubbing Stanley’s belly told me how much she needed the time out from the demands of her training. Several simply hugged Gus and Stanley and smiled. My favorite moment was when a doctor, with a big grin on his face said, “This is the greatest day of my whole residency.”

I Hope Something Good Happens to You Today

Walking with the dogs, I saw this sticker on a car window.

ELBEE She got the photo off of the internet so that the people wouldn’t see her skulking around their driveway taking pictures.

It really inspired me. Right now, more than ever, we need to send each other positive messages.

Coincidentally, on the neighborhood page, which at times can be not so neighborly, someone had posted a photo of sidewalk chalk art that read, “thanks for the music.” It was to show appreciation for a neighbor who had to resort to front yard rehearsals during COVID.

The sticker made me think about how fortunate I am that good things happen to me every day when I’m with the dogs. Instead of guilt by association, I get “good” by association. With Gus and Stanley back to work, I feel the same overwhelming gratitude that I have each and every time we’ve returned over the past two years.

At the adult day health center, the man who only smiles when the dogs are there, met me and Gus at the door with the sweetest grin on his face. It’s almost like our little secret. He stayed with us as we made our way through the room and never stopped smiling.

Stanley was visiting the teen neuropsych unit at UCLA when a girl who was sitting on the floor next to me very quietly shared that he reminded her of Charley, my very first therapy dog. She had been a patient several years earlier and said that she’d never forgotten him.

**Stanley & Gus in their official** **Tarzana Hospital bandanas**

At Tarzana Hospital, a nurse told she didn’t know how she’d have made it through the morning without some dog love. A woman outside a patient’s door just wanted to hug Gus. Her aunt was very ill and also had severe dementia so visiting her was extremely stressful. Gus gave her the strength to go back into the room.

Now I’m hopefully going to make something good happen to you by giving you a laugh.

ELBEE That terrible segue made me laugh.

Last week I wrote about the dogs’ quirks, including that Henry sprints across the yard after he poops.

HENRY Why is she bringing that up again?

Hearing the story, a friend told me an even better one. She had a Dachshund with a very strange habit. Every time it pooped, it would run three circles around it!

And how about this photo of Gus, who turns eight this week, playing peekaboo under Henry who is ten months today!

Spa Day

As has happened way too often over the past few years, when the news is as disturbing at it is now, I hesitate to write something that will seem frivolous. But, thanks to friends who have told me it’s just the time out they need, here I go again.

The good news is that Gus and Stanley went back to work this week. First order of business was getting them bathed. As therapy dogs, who are groomed for work, and also as total divas, they get their hair done more often than I do. The groomer is like their home away from home.

ELBEE I always thought of it as my spa, a place to relax and get pampered.

STANLEY Maybe I shouldn’t say this but Elbee used to bark so much he’d ruin my Zen.

ELBEE I was chanting.

Occasionally someone will ask, “Why don’t you bathe them yourself?” Well, I do for the first few months and then, when I can barely get them into the tub, it’s on to the professionals. Gus would still fit but do you know how long it would take me to dry his hair!

ELBEE Trust me. It would be a disaster.

I’ve been taking the Doods to Shani’s and Four Your Paws Only for so long, it feels like family. When the dogs are still puppies, I bring them over to socialize.

Actually it is a family affair. When Marsha was grooming them, her son Ryan would help get them ready for special events. He painted Gus purple and gold for a visit with the Laker girls.

Jen is now groomer to the Doods, along with an assist from her mom and her husband. She also has a special helper who is a favorite of the Doods, her darling little girl, Anne Marie.

Anne has been around the dogs for as long as I can remember. Even before she was old enough to help out, she had a special relationship with Stanley. He’d look for her as soon as we walked into the shop and she’d give him a great big smile.

At three, she and Gus have become quite the pair. With a little supervision, she takes his leash and walks him into the shop. Then she makes sure he’s okay in the tub.

GUS I think of her as my personal stylist.

Henry has been joining his brothers lately. He doesn’t go as often as they do but when I drop off the three, it’s a lot of dog. I think Henry feels a bit left out when he’s waiting his turn, so Anne Marie has stepped up to give him some love too.

Sometimes It’s the Little Moments

With the world still such a mess, I thought that sharing a few positive, personal moments might be a good way to go.

Let me begin with one that could have gone terribly wrong. I was starting up a trail with Henry when a woman on an adjacent trail yelled “Hey, clean up after your dog!” Since I’m a fanatic about cleaning up after the dogs, I was a little confused and, to be honest, offended.

ELBEE Trust me. She’s like the poop police. I was almost afraid to go.

I assured her that Henry hadn’t gone and told her that one of my pet peeves was people who didn’t clean up after their dogs. Then I showed her the four bags I had with me just in case. To my surprise, she began apologizing profusely.

ELBEE Trail rage incident averted.

When I walk on busy streets with Gus and Stanley, we take up most of the sidewalk. If someone is approaching, I will often step aside and wait for them to pass. The other morning, an older man saw us coming and moved over to give us room. When I said “thank you,” he smiled, nodded and did the prayer sign. It was just so simple and sweet.

Later, we were in a crosswalk on busy Ventura Boulevard when a man and his preteen son passed us going the other way. Suddenly, the boy waved enthusiastially and called out. “Thank you so much. I taught my dog the tricks the way you told me.”

I realized we’d met them a few weeks earlier. After interacting with Gus and Stanley, they told me that they had a pretty rambunctious puppy at home. The boy, who was working hard to train it, asked me for a few tips on getting his dog to do some tricks. How nice to hear that it had worked out.

Yesterday, I was on the phone talking to someone about getting repairs done on the house. We had spoken several times before so she knew about the dogs and their schedules but we’d never really discussed them.

As we were about to say goodbye, she said “I have to tell you something.” She admitted that she’d never thought much about what therapy dogs could do until recently. She was in the hospital and they’d brought one to her room. In her words, “I was delighted and forgot my pain.”

That brings me to one more very positive note. At UCLA and Tarzana Hospital, we are all in the process of getting ready to bring the dogs back in to visit again. In these trying times, who doesn’t need a little dog comfort and love.

When Was the Last Time You Wore High Heels?

It’s hard to believe that we’ve been dealing with COVID for almost two years. When Punxsutawney Phil stuck his head out on Ground Hog Day, I don’t think he saw his shadow. He just saw the continuing craziness and decided to go back to sleep.

We’re all still searching for ways to cope. Early on so many people took up new hobbies. They learned to paint, to sing or even to sew. Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of them. Others became gourmet chefs.

ELBEE She’s lucky if she can find the kitchen.

Some people began cleaning out their houses and reorganizing cupboards. That wasn’t me either. Then, recently, I had an epiphany.

ELBEE That’s a very strong word.

I was sitting in the closet, looking at all of the clothes I hadn’t worn in forever and decided it was time to let some of them go.

ELBEE That’s an epiphany?

It was the shoes that really struck me. There were all sorts of high heels that had been on the shelves for so long they had dust on them. I didn’t know if I could still walk in them. Tennis shoes, casual flats and cozy boots are all I’ve been wearing.

ELBEE They go with her sweats.

Out of curiosity, I texted a friend to ask her the last time she’d worn heels. She couldn’t remember.

As I started to sort through everything, the dogs came in to keep me company. They hang around me and my husband so much I’m not sure if it’s because they miss their hospital visits or think we need therapy. There’s hope that they may be allowed back in later this month.

GUS & STANLEY Let us pray.

While I was hard at work, I happened to glance at the mirror on the wall. For some reason, the lighting in that closet gives very good muscle definition when you flex.

ELBEE Is anyone wondering how she knows that?

It had been a long time since I’d done it but how could a former bodybuilder resist flexing? Was I still the buffest granny on the block?

HENRY What is she doing?

ELBEE Don’t ask.

After about an hour, I decided I needed a break and went outside. Of course the dogs followed. As I was relaxing, Stanley and Henry suddenly stood up next to me and put their paws on the wall. They both looked so tall!

Stanley is fully grown but at eight months, Henry has a ways to go. I realized that with me shrinking and him growing, we could end up the same height.

ELBEE Maybe she should hold on to those high heels!