Furry friend lifts the spirits of local seniors
Micah is allowed on the furniture. In fact, that is where he was found lounging recently during a visit to Renaissance Gardens healthcare facility at Seabrook in Tinton Falls.
The 2-year-old golden retriever/Australian shepherd mixed breed dog, who was adopted by the community in February, clearly enjoys his new living arrangements.
As he sprawled next to program assistant Shoronda Clark on the couch in the lobby, he waited to see who might offer him a treat.
Would it be Edward Anderson, Catherine Potocki, Joan Haynes, Edith Atlas or Ann Walling? It didn't take the sprightly young dog with a curled tail long to realize that all five residents had biscuits for him.
The facility's operations team met in December and found that they all were in favor of adopting a dog to live in the facility, said Kris Stanley, purchasing manager.
"Residents were polled, and the majority were in favor of having a pet. The Pet Committee was formed and agreed to meet once a week," she added.
Jackie Schatell, public relations manager for Seabrook, said a rescue dog, or a dog that needed a good home, was sought.
"Studies have shown that a pet can be part of the cure for loneliness, depression, and lowering blood pressure," she said.
"In February this dream was realized and Micah arrived from a shelter in Indiana, after having been rescued by the Pet Adoption Network of Red Bank," she said.
After a weeklong trial period, the adoption was finalized.
"This is pet therapy. He gets the residents to be more alert and he gets them moving," Stanley said. "Everyone wants to pet him."
In the lobby, Micah proved her point by walking up to each of the five residents seated on chairs for a treat and some petting.
The dog is entertaining, brings back memories, and is an excellent conversation starter, Schatell said.
"I'll never forget it. I had older sisters and for Easter one year they gave me a cocker spaniel. His name was Corky," said Haynes, as she cuddled up to Micah.
Haynes described Micah as being very inquisitive.
"Boy, is he smart," commented Atlas, who noted that she had cats, but not dogs, all of her life.
"I was a little girl and my mother wouldn't live without a cat because she was afraid of mice," Atlas recalled.
Walling said that Micah has a good life at Renaissance Gardens.
"He's got the run of the place. I feed him three times a week ' on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays," said Walling, who added that she has had seven boxers during her lifetime.
Clark said that Micah is free to roam the building, except for pet-free zones on each floor to accommodate those who are afraid of or do not like dogs and the dining room and kitchen area.
"And he knows it," she added. "Once he was trying to sneak into the dining area when I wasn't around and I heard his paws. I said "Is Micah in the dining room?' and when he heard my voice he came running right out."
Micah also knows which offices to visit to get a treat, and he spends time on each floor, she said.
"He likes to run up and down the hallways, and he is walked frequently, along with Louie the Dog, a senior French poodle who lives with another resident," said Mary Lynn Kirsch, acute care coordinator.
"The son of one of our residents said that it makes his mother's day when Micah jumps up on her bed for a cuddle," Kirsch said.
Stanley said that dogs are allowed to visit residents as long as they are properly vaccinated and licensed.
Micah sleeps in Clark's office during the week and nurses working at night look in on him frequently.
On weekends, he goes home with Robert Boyars III, the assistant director of dining services.
"Although Micah does create more work for our staff, I am happy to say that the participation from all departments at Seabrook has been wonderful," said Joanne Goldberg, program manager. "We are able to bring joy and fun to our community."
Dog Training
|
