Therapy dog, Tara, connects with memory loss patient
Miniature Schnauzer, Tara, is part of the Faithful Paws pet therapy organization with her owner, Robyne Gold.
“Tara and I started visiting an assisted living facility that has a memory loss wing. The first time we went, a woman was sitting at a table by herself with a distant stare in her eyes. I introduced myself and Tara, but she didn’t acknowledge that we were there. She just continued to stare. I told her how much Tara loved to be petted, how soft she was, and that she could pet her if she liked. After a minute or two, she finally looked at Tara. I talked for another minute or so and was just about to go to a different resident, when she ever-so-slowly raised her arm off the chair. She extended just her index finger and gently stroked Tara’s back a couple times.
“Next she extended all her fingers and continued petting, but her expression never changed. To my surprise, she reached up with her other hand, grabbed Tara’s head and leaned forward to kiss her. I stood holding Tara with tears in my eyes, letting her continue petting Tara until she stopped and leaned back in her chair.
“I had to miss the next couple visits, but thought about my experience several times. When I was able to return, I wondered if the woman would remember Tara. This time she was at a table with several others, so we visited our way around the table. When it was her turn, she had a smile and had been following Tara with her eyes. I sat in a chair next to her as she petted Tara and smiled. I asked her several questions such as, ‘Did you ever have a dog?’ but got no response other than her smile.
“When I went there again and looked for her, she wasn’t in the day room like before. I was disappointed to not see her, but continued with my visit. I was talking to a resident who was petting Tara, when I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. I turned around, and it was this woman. She motioned for me to follow her as she walked toward the day room. I explained that I would be with her in a few minutes.
“As I approached, she looked at Tara and smiled big. I helped her hold Tara in her lap as she petted her. I began talking to her, repeating the things I’d said before. But this time when I asked if she ever had any dogs, she slowly shook her head up and down. I asked if it was big or little, and she very quietly said, ‘Big.’ That’s all, just one word. But that one word and her smile made my day.”
— Robyne Gold
Related:
