return to top

Izzy Land...

My first visit as a therapy doggie....

Well finally after a year and a half our journey has taken us to this past Thursday, July 3, 2008 when Izzy and I finally had our first therapy visit at the Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital. Our official program name is Paws for Care...isn't that cute?

We went through so much training and studying and me getting two TB tests, and I must say our first visit was amazing. I think I was more nervous than Izzy.

We got to the hospital and met with our Delta leader (Robin). Robin will be with us for at least 3-5 visits before we go solo). Robin was so patient with us and I think the hard part is getting to know the lay of the land of the hospital. It's so big and we are only allowed to go to certain areas like any waiting room like the surgical waiting rooms, rehab acute and their waiting rooms, all of the pediatrics floor if the kids are not allergic to dogs or getting a breathing treatment we can't see them. We can go to all the main area of the hospital and even the physical therapy department.

We where at the hospital for over an hour (you can tell Izzy was getting tired so it looks like an hour is about what we can do with her at this time). We visited with about 7 patients and it was so heartwarming to know that we brought a little joy into their day.

Izzy was a little nervous at first and always looking to her mommy for reassurance when we put her on the patients lap (she has to stay on a towel and we must ask the patient permission if they want her on their lap). Well they all loved her (patients and staff - especially the nurses!). We must put a clean towel on each patient's lap and we must provide each person who pets Izzy with an open towlette for handwashing. The hospital provides both.

The only time we were nervous is when we visited one patient with dimenshia and she was a little rough petting on Izzy for a while but then I stepped in (and put my hand in between hers) and we both petted Izzy (I was trying to keep her hand pressure on my hand vs. Izzy's head)..lol.

Most of the women patients did not want us to leave but Izzy's tolerance level seemed to be about 10 minutes on everyone's lap and then wanted to move on except for this one patient whom Izzy really liked and wanted to camp out on her blanket and sleep.

It was so gratifying for me to be able to bring some smiles to all their faces. We can't wait to go back.

Oh and it was so funny it takes us more time to sign in and sign out since everyone who sees Izzy wants to stop and pet her! From people just walking the halls, patients in wheel chairs, doctors, nurses, volunteer staff, visitors, cleaning people, etc.

Oh and Izzy was not afraid of any noises like the elevator or loud cleaning machines (since the time we went the night crew was polishing the floors with those huge waxers). I figured she would be good with the noises since she is not afraid of the vacuum at home or loud noises when I drop my cooking pots on the floor.

So that's our first day at the hospital visiting and we'll be going back soon.

I'VE BEEN TURKEY TAGGED!

I've been THANKSGIVING tagged by the following Turkey pal....Robin Hood!

Here are the rules:
Because it’s Thanksgiving time, there is a change to the rules.

Each player needs to tell seven special things they are
thankful for. Tagged dogs must post the rules in their diary
and their 7 things. Then choose 7 pups to tag and list their
names. Let them know by pawmail or rosette that they have been
tagged and to read your diary for the instructions on how to
play.

1) I am thankful for my family, safe home and tons of food and toys.

2) I am thankful for my cat peeps....Snicky, Max and Pumpkin cuz they let me chase dem all over the house and let me pull their fur all da time.

3) I am thankful for my mommy who tries to take me everywhere with her...shopping to Target, Lowes, furiture stores, my training, doggies toy stores and my favorite doggie bakery The Greatful Dog Bakery where I get to pick out my favorite treats and hang out when they have Halloween Contests and Photo shoots with Santa.

4) I am thankful for all my new friends on Yorkie Talk and you know who you are..hehehe...Yorkie Talk rules!

5) I am thankful for all my new friends on Dogster cuz without them my Dogster page would not be so pretty....it's still a work in progress though.

6) I am thankful that my mommy and daddy let me sleep and snuggle with tem everynight even though I sometimes steal my mommy's pillow..hehehe.

7) I am thankful that I am healthy cuz I'm just a little thing and my mommy worries about me all da time.

K - I am tagging the following turkeys..

1) Gizmo - 566216
2) Lucky - 649643
3) Layla - 423023
4) Jack - 255740
5) Eddie - 159686
6) Fritzel - 463494
7) Koko Kamari Jones - 548996

Happy Sunday!

Wow today is my first day on Dogster...my mommy finally decided to make my very own doggie page...yay...for me! I hope all of my doggie friends come to visit me here and I hope to make new buddies too!

Today is a fun day for me - I had my breakfast and now playing with my cat peeps....Snicky (who is a Ragdoll); Pumpkin (who is a Himalayan) and Max (who is a big ol' Maine Coon); I chase and chase them around the house - it's so much fun. Then I'm off to the outside where I do my squirrel patrol for my daddy who always tells me to "get um"....I don't know what that means but I do love to chase them back up into the trees.hehehe.

Then I'm off to the doggie bakery where I get to sniff and taste all kinds of natural treats...and today is a special day there since it's their Halloween party and I get to go dressed up in my fairy princess costume and take pictures.

K - gotta go now - mommy wants me to start getting pretty (yuk!!) which means combing and that bow thing in my hair.

Bye - catch you all later.