That’s How We Roll: Pets on Wheels brings comfort of the canine kind
February 17th, 2010By Meredeth Barzen
Pets on Wheels volunteer Gracie visits Park Health & Rehabilitation Center in St. Louis Park. "Gracie loves visiting the residents and gets really excited when we round the corner to the building," says her mom Georgene Davy.
Loyal Sidewalk Dog readers know more than anyone that a good doggie cuddle session is more comforting than chicken soup, fleece blankets and roaring fires combined. Unfortunately, not everyone has 24/7 access to a canine comforter. But Pets on Wheels, a local nonprofit that provides pet visits to nursing homes and assisted living facilities, has plenty of surrogates on hand for those who need them.
The group was formed a couple of years ago by Tia Henry-Johnson, who was helping her friend on a research project where she saw firsthand the way pets can alleviate loneliness for seniors and calm those with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The concept hit home for Tia, whose mom struggled with Alzheimer’s. Today, Pets on Wheels organizes 29 volunteers, who bring their pets to 25 nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
“With people who are temporarily in nursing homes to recover from a surgery or injury, pets can be a big part in the rehabilitation process,” says Lynne Forbragd, the group’s director. “It helps brighten their days and it can help the patient recover faster. In Alzheimer’s patients, we have seen people break their silence who have not spoken for long periods of time and suddenly start a conversation with the volunteer.”
Winnie, a Pets on Wheels volunteer, visiting with an appreciative friend.
Nursing home residents who meet a Pets on Wheels pooch often strike up a conversation about a pet they used to love and form a friendship with the volunteer, Lynne says. And though the organization currently works only with seniors, they’re looking to expand the program to include hospices and working with children who are hospitalized for long periods of time due to illness, Lynne says.
If you’d like to get involved, the group always needs volunteers and their four-legged friends. Though therapy dogs are welcomed in the program, nursing homes and assisted living facilities often don’t require that your pup be credentialed, only well-behaved and up-to-date on his shots. “Dogs who are gentle, loving and have even temperaments,” make good Pets on Wheels volunteers, Lynne says. “They must be well-socialized with people of all ages and other animals, and listen well to their owners.”
And the reward for your time? Lynne sums it up: “Lots of hugs, smiles and gratitude.”
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