THERAPY DOGS..MINI MIRACLES???? LET US KNOW!!!
I have many, but a couple stand out in my mind: Millie, my 1st therapy dog, 1997, We have been visiting beginning 1990 ((This is an excerpt from the TOUCH news and even when I read it this many years later, it still bring tears and it touches my heart:)) There was a young stroke patient (about 27 years old). who had expressive aphasia. This communication impariment in the inablility to express oneself by speaking and gesturing.. For instance, the patient may be holding a pen and when asked what it is, thy say a cup. When we walked into the room, out of her mouth came, "Oh. my, what a pretty dog!: The nurses were stunned, as well as all the staff that witnessed this. This was the beginnning of her recovery. Once this happened she was able to inprove her communication and her aphasia. PEARL, my 2nd therapy dog, when she first began visiting, in 1999 There was a very young girl (about 19) who was in a coma due to a car accident. We had visited her a couple times and they had been no improvement at that time. Pearl, me and another team stood on either side her her bed. We were instructed to have the dogs, gently get rise to the bed and have the dogs lick her arms, hand, fingers. After, what seemed like forever, the young girl, flinched and moved her arm away!!! She FELT the warm tongues, the wetness.....Again, it wsa the first step in her coming out of her coma. The next couple of weeks, we watched as she became more and more alert, until she was ready to leave for a rehab center. HEART, my 3rd therapy dog, when she first began in 2009. We were doing our regular visits room to room at a rehab center. Generally, we are not told what the circumstances of the patient, unless it is something that can help with the visit. Before we entered the room we were told that this gentleman had just lost his wife in a car accident that left him injured enough to be in rehab, we were told he also lost his dogs in the accident and at that point he had not shown any sorrow or emotion. The therapists was getting worried that he was not accepting what had happened she she asked if Heart and I could spend som time with thim. We walked into the room and the man smiled at Heart ( at that point I was invisible)...He asked if Heart could get ON the bed, which is something we never are allowed to do....but rules are meant to be broken, so I somehow got her on the bed and she laid in the crook of his arm, with her head on his chest, He began to talk very softly to her, and then he began to cry....and cry...and cry...Heart began licking the tears, which just brought on more tears. The therapist came in at that point and began to talk to him...as I gently got Heart off the bed and then we left, with a heartfelt THANK YOU from that gentlemen. I do have many more...what I call ,.... mimi-miracles. I witness them everytime we visit! It is no wonder why I love this progam....the beauty of this is that is ALL BECAUSE OF THESE 4 FOOTED ANGELS!!!!!Please, if anyone has any other stories, share them with our friends here on the forum!!!!!  |
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| Oh Val! Beautiful heartwarming stories! What a blessing to share these experiences with your sheepies. They truly are 4 legged angel! Heart's story brought tears to my eyes. I've had a few sad moments in my life when Sammy Girl just came up to me unbeckoned to comfort me and somehow my burdens were lifted. Thanks for all you and Heart do to help those in need. |
| Wonderful stories especially about the poor man who lost both his wife and dogs. It must be so amazing to watch the progress people make after visits from the dogs. |
| My parents passed when I was real young and I always wanted to help out those who were now in the same place I was so many years ago. Stories like what Val sees daily are pushing me towards this and it won't take much more. Maybe we could get Zoey going in that direction now that she's calmed down and matured... Thanks Val. Vance |
poolmom wrote: Oh Val! Beautiful heartwarming stories! What a blessing to share these experiences with your sheepies. They truly are 4 legged angel! Heart's story brought tears to my eyes. I've had a few sad moments in my life when Sammy Girl just came up to me unbeckoned to comfort me and somehow my burdens were lifted. Thanks for all you and Heart do to help those in need. I couldn't have said it better. |
| Awww loved the stories! Great work Val! I had brought one of my shih tzus to a rehab facility. There was a elderly man who did not respond to anyone. When the shih tzu entered his room, he smiled and talked and talked. The staff was amazed. The elderly man lived for about another week. But had smiles each day we were there. The family was so grateful. It was a wonderful experience for me. Hoping to get Gigi involved in therapy if and when she calms down. |
| Val those are wonderful--heartwarming stories and moments. Have you ever thought of a Miracle Moments book?? I think it would be very inspiring and 'educational' as well! |
| Val, what a great topic!! Such Beautiful and uplifting stories, thank you for sharing. Hopefully, Charm and I can share stories one day. A generous way to "give back" or "pay forward". And this is just your side of those wonderful moments. |
| Oh my. I should not have read this whilst sitting in an internet cafe. Now I am in tears and I do NOT cry pretty. Maybe if I pretend to have a coughing fit they wont realize. Stories like this DO inspire others, so please continue to share them. |
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