Disrupted by COVID-19, Powell River’s St. John Ambulance therapy dogs and their handlers were missing their visits to see residents and patients in the city’s health-care facilities.
So, a therapy dogs parade was arranged on August 17 so dogs and residents could interact from a distance.
“We have obviously been on shutdown for months now and so many of the handlers have been anxious to get back at it and see our friends at their homes at Evergreen Extended Care and Willingdon Creek Village,” said Deb Maitland, unit facilitator for the St. John Ambulance therapy dogs. “Normally, we visit once a week, so you make friends and you learn about the residents and their lives. We really, really miss them so we came up with this idea that we could do a safe visit outside.
“It was awesome. The coordinators of the homes had the residents ready at the windows. Some of them, at Evergreen, were outside in the waiting area, which was gated off.”
Maitland said signs were made for the therapy dogs and their handlers and the handlers had their signs saying they missed the residents.
“It was really emotional for everybody,” said Maitland. “It was a really great day. It was a reunion of old friends. The dogs were happy to see them, too, so it was spectacular.”
The therapy dog program currently has 28 members and dogs, and more were ready to be trained when COVID-19 hit.
“We’ve grown substantially over the past couple of years,” said Maitland. “We had a class that we had to cancel in April because of COVID-19 and there were at least 20 people who wanted to sign up.
“It’s a popular program and part of the commitment is we like people to visit once a week, so normally, that’s what we would be doing. We’re in there regularly.”
Maitland said as well as extended care, dogs and handlers also visit Powell River General Hospital, in places such as oncology and mental health.
Visits are all about the therapy dog. Sometimes, no words are spoken, and it’s just a dog being in the presence of a person, which can have a calming effect, said Maitland.
“Sometimes, they just pet the dog and have a good visit that way,” she added. “It stirs so many memories in the patients. Most people remember their very first family dog. It’s a great thing.”
While the latest visit involved physical distancing, with the residents at Evergreen, some of the dogs stuck their heads through the bars so residents were able to feel them.
A touching moment was when one of the dog’s original owners, a resident of Evergreen, came in contact with her former pet. Maitland said the dog immediately recognized the woman, ran straight up to the gate and put its head through it so the woman could pet the dog.
Maitland said contact with therapy dogs can play a big part in happiness and healing. She said when walking into a facility, a dog will often gravitate to the person who needs it most.
“Dogs have this intuitive sense and whether the person is sad that particular day, or in pain, or whatever, dogs seem to intuitively know where to go,” said Maitland. “It’s an amazing thing to watch.”
Based on the success of this venture, Maitland said the therapy dogs would do another parade.
“They said they can’t wait for us to come back again,” said Maitland. “They said it really lifted spirits, so for sure, we will.”
In terms of training more people to be involved in the program, Maitland said she’d like to run another course in November if it is possible.
“We want to keep the interest there,” she said. “We know there is a need. We do want to keep our presence, somehow, some way.”
