Hannah has shared her life with the residents and staff
of Van Rensselaer Manor Nursing Facility since she came to live with us
at 9 weeks old. Everyone watched her grow up as she visited. She has a
standard 8 hour work day. The residents of Lee’s unit think she is their
dog, but she does visit the entire 362 bed facility with activity staff
members and volunteers. She also spends time with the recreational
therapy staff on the dementia units doing more active programs. They love
to play fetch. She wears costumes for all the holiday parties and enjoys
hamming it up for the camera. Hannah also leads the facility’s annual
Alzheimer’s fund raiser walk.
Her show career prompted a new out of the building
activity. The residents have traveled to the show site to cheer her on.
They were proud of us, win or lose.
This year Hannah shared another milestone-our first
litter. Her puppy shower was one week before she whelped. Residents,
families, staff and other therapy dogs were all in attendance for the fun
event. Silly baby shower games were modified for canines. Weekly photos
of Mom and kids were posted for all to see. She showed off the puppies
when they were 5 weeks old, and the 2 that stayed with us are following
in her footsteps with their own days at work.
As our schedules have permitted, she has also visited at
a local nursing home for handicapped children. She is also my Breast
Cancer Society fund raising helper and walking partner each October.
Her training has been life experience at Van Rensselaer
Manor. She instinctively understands what is needed: play fetch, sit with
someone so they feel needed, ‘please watch my dog,’ help a new resident
feel at home, comfort a sick resident or console a grieving family. Her
visits elicit many wonderful memories about animals loved and lost. She
is a truly great ambassador for the breed.
