Well, I’ve been terrible about blogging about Gabby’s job in Animal Assisted Therapy.  Especially today, I regret I didn’t write more often.  We’ve been thoroughly enjoying each and every visit and came to the point of being fairly consistent with 2-3 different elderly care facilities here in San Francisco.  But today I had to send the following email to the SPCA Program Gabby has diligently worked for the past 4 ½ years:

Good Morning,

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I write to you this morning. Gabby has not been well for the past 2 weeks. We've had to cancel her last appointment due to a condition that recently came about....long story short, she has hip dysplacia and has had a bad flare up. Currently she is on cage rest, wearing a diaper and feeling pretty miserable. At this time as we look at our course of action, I'll have to remove her from active duty until further notice. 

I apologize for the inconvenience and I'll keep you posted on Gabby's progress.

Thank you!

The first signs of trouble began when she refused to jump on the furniture and would paw at us to pick her up to place her on it.  Next came refusing to go up the stairs in our house and uncontrollable shaking of her back and hind area.  We took her to her vet when she refused to even go on a walk and would not squat to urinate or defecate.  It was determined she had ‘degenerative disc disease’ and a possible prolapsed disc, which is highly prevalent in the Lhasa Apso breed.  Since she has been 2 years old, she’s been taking a veterinarian prescribed anti-inflammatory for hip dysplasia and knee joint issues.  We came home and the following day was back at the vet because her legs were worse.  They kept her for 2 nights on cage rest and observation to determine the next step.  They gave her extra doses and an injection of the anti-inflammatory meds to aid in the flare up.  When I picked her up she lost all control and began randomly defecating diarrhea and urinating.  Big problem, to say the least.

We bought baby diapers and cut a hole out for the tail but the sizing was all wrong.  We finally made a trip to the Pet Store for the official dog diapers and they are still not quite right but better.  Of course she hates to wear them.  Our first night home was pathetic.  She just looked at us and whimpered in a way we’d never heard before.

Today is Saturday and thankfully the diarrhea medication worked and she isn’t having that issue anymore.  She’s had a healthy appetite and hasn’t been whimpering anymore either.  An issue that seems to be getting worse is when she makes the attempt to twirl in order to potty, her legs drop from underneath her body and then she stops and just stares at us.  This leads to major lack of bladder control.  Also, she has always had a beautiful fluffy tail and unfortunately I just had to trim it down to the bare tail due to matting and getting in the way.

Medically speaking, her vet is presenting a few options at this time.  She is only turning 7 years old in April so she is still very youthful! Her x-rays were sent to a surgeon and they will be getting back to us this next week.  There is a procedure called a Femoral head ostectomy or Girdlestone’s Operation.  They pretty much remove the ball of the femor, and a ‘ghost like’ one is formed and the muscles in the hip mold and shape to assist the dog in walking and living a normal life.  The degenerative disc issue is non-operable.

We are trying to keep her comfortable and waiting to see the surgeon for our options.  It would be wonderful to wake up and all of this will be gone but I don’t see that happening.

A Room Full of LOVE!

Today we went somewhere NEW!! It was farther than I am comfortable traveling, but we made it and I am soooo happy we did! Gabby was loved and gave so much love today!

As we made our way around the activity room of many seniors, Gabby sat still at their feet, would lay down at their feet, want to be held in their laps and gave soooo many hugs!

One of the employees made the comment, "With Gabby here, the room just filled with so much LOVE!!!"It is true. You really can FEEL the atmostphere elevate! I thought it was just me, but others feel this too.

I tell everyone Gabby's name. They speak to Gabby in many different languages, and when Gabby hears her name at some point in the sentence, she quickly turns her heard toward the person and they usually laugh out loud and get the biggest kick out of that! Gabby acts as if she totally understands that language! I GET A KICK OUT OF THAT!!! hahahaa

One thing I've noticed that most people enjoy is when I give a doggie treat to them and THEY are allowed to give it to Gabby. It's funny, I think it is universal hospitality.....everyone wants to give food! They seem to enjoy that.

Today I also received my 2nd KISS! A woman was kissing Gabby, saying, "Muy bonito!" Then, she stopped, looked at me, felt my cheek and said, "Muy bonito". Then, she kissed ME on the cheek!! I LOVE MY JOB!!!

FINALLY!!

Since I was sick the last TWO appointments, we were FINALLY able to do our job today!

We returned to a residential care facility for the elderly that we've been visiting many times before. Again, this morning when opening the front closet door and telling Gabby she has a job to do, she ran in a circle and barked! I have to video it the next time to share!

I drove around the blocks many many times before finding a parking spot. Hate that part! I left in plenty of time and I was almost late!! When I told the hostess about the parking issues, she told me next time to go ahead and park in the passenger loading area in front of the building! YES!! Problem solved!!

As we waited by the front gate, Gabby was peeking through the bars, watching, waiting. When the hostess appeared and walked toward, Gabby started wagging her tale and getting real excited! We entered and met a few people in the lobby area. Many people were being escorted to the main room where the Arm Exercise class was about to begin. I need to talk to the Activity Coordinator and suggest that we arrive at least 30 minutes prior because everyone is in this class instead of visiting with Gabby.

The few that do not attend the class are always happy to have Gabby to themselves though. Thankfully, Gabby remembered the 'Come-a-hoppy' command and enjoyed sitting on a few laps. One man in particular enjoys Gabby the most. The hostess walked over and told Paul, "It's a good thing Gabby is here, sitting on your lap or you would be taking a nap!" With the attention from Gabby he is awake, alert and talking!

I let Gabby sit on their laps for awhile and we talk about funny Gabby stories. Today I mentioned that I wish Gabby could talk. Paul said, "She DOES talk - she talks Japanese! I understand what she is saying!!"

We stayed for about an hour in the lobby. Lunch was being served so I told Gabby, "Let's go for a ride in the car!" She continued to sit on Paul's lap. Not moving. I said it again in a more excited voice! Still nothing. No movement! She liked it right where she was! She is so comfortable and content in these environments.

It was a special time sharing our love with only 4 people. We were able to really connect and be still. Maybe I won't suggest we arrive earlier! hahaha

We get in the car and Gabby curls herself up in the backseat and goes to sleep. Good JOB Gabby!!

Gabby's FIRST Job!!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Kind of fitting that it is my stepson's 11th Birthday today; it will be easy for me to remember our very first outing! We signed up to work twice a month for the next quarter.  I felt it was important to see how Gabby enjoyed her new 'job' and break her in slowly.  

Our trainer suggested that I use a 'special' leash, different from her normal walking leash and hang it in a different spot, away from the other leash so Gabby can learn the difference between going on a 'normal' walk and getting ready for 'work'.  In a few weeks, we'd like to hope that Gabby gets excited when I open the closet and grab her 'work' leash.

We were assigned to a place on Mission Street - an area in San Francisco where a lot of homeless and less fortunate people live.  Gabby and I arrived about 10 minutes early and were introduced to the receptionist and a few office workers. We were told it was a Psychiatric Day Clinic.  People with problems could come to this place, receive counseling and a meal.  A group of 15 people were in a room, eating their lunch when we arrived.  Gabby seemed happy, tail wagging upon our arrival to meet our new friends.

We were told that the patients may need some coaxing and discussion to feel accepted by us, as newcomers to their group.  We sat on a couch in the corner and patients interested could come over and see us.  

The most memorable story I wish to recall from this particular visit is when a woman came to our little corner.  She sat down next to us on the couch, Gabby rolled over onto her back and licked the women's fingers.  The woman smiled, giggled and said in a very happy voice, "Gabby likes me!!! She likes me!! She kissed me!! She likes me!!"  See, that is all we want...for someone to like us. It was really cool to watch and be a part of something that made this woman smile for a few minutes in her day!

We stayed for about 50 minutes.  Gabby was very comfortable and would lay on her back to allow people to rub her belly, and pat her head. I told funny Gabby stories and everyone laughed.  

As in many things, when we volunteer in hopes to help someone, to give our time to others, and in the end, THEY turn out to be much more of a blessing in OUR own lives!  It was a delight to be a part of  their day - it did my soul good and I think Gabby walked out feeling pretty happy herself!

October 20, 2009 - Shadowing

Before I could take Gabby on her own to her first 'job', I had to leave Gabby home and 'shadow' a veteran dog owner and her AAT dog. 

I took the bus to a six story rehabilitation center.  I met the trainer and her dog in the lobby and walked up to the 4th floor.  Most of the patients were recovering from surgery and in hospital beds. Each floor had about 25 patients.  The 'Activity Coordinator' accompanied us to the different rooms, asking if they wanted a dog visit.  Most said yes, but some said NO! We talked to many people about dogs, the weather and such. We went up to the 5th floor, did the same thing, up to the 6th, then down to the 2nd. All in all we met with about 30 patients and it took about 1.5 hours!!! The visits usually last about 30 - 60 minutes - today was an exceptional day!! 

The patients really enjoyed the visit with the dog and the interaction with us too!  They seemed to forget about their own problems for that short time while loving and stroking the dog.  It was really good to watch!! Many patients would recall and talk about when they had a dog.

We departed, having a full heart that we made a few people smile today! I looked forward to Gabby and I having many years of service!

Background/History

While picking my stepson Taylor up from school in the Fall of 2008, we met 'Lucy the Therapy Dog'.  I was intrigued by this title and asked more questions.  Come to find out, the San Francisco SPCA visits up to 100 different locations, providing 40,000 visits to patients in hospitals, convalescent homes, retirement homes, psychiatric wards and children's hospitals.  I thought, "When we move to SF, this would be something I could look into.

Well, we made the transition and now I was ready to look into this further. We learned that we needed to go through four 'Training Classes' (and spend $150) to determine if Gabby had what it took to become an Animal Assisted Therapy Dog - AAT. On September 16, 2009 we began our training classes with the SF SPCA. 

First Class - We discussed the job, personality of the dog required, and the first command needed - LEAVE IT.  This is the most important command in case food or medication drops on the floor, our animal cannot pick it up.  We were to practice this for the big test next week.

Second Class - Had to pass the 'Leave It' Command and pass the 'Man Handling'.  This was when the trainer took each dog, one-on-one and grabbed, tugged, manipulated the dog to see if it had any quirks. 

Third Class - Introducing wheel chairs, canes and walkers to see if the dog reacts negatively. Some dogs FREAK when these items approach.

Fourth Class - Gabby passed all of the requirements so we had GRADUATION!  We went to an upscale home for the elderly - and our dogs were able to interact for the first time with men and women in wheel chairs.

In the end, there wasn't a lot of 'Training' as I had assumed.  If the dog enjoys being around others, and doesn't have any 'hang ups', it can be a Therapy Dog.  Gabby is very loving, gentle and enjoys people sooooo much, we knew she was right for the job.

 On Graduation Day!