Skip to main content

Zoo Time!

Cora is registered with Pet Partners as a Therapy Dog and sometimes that means working outside the norm.  This past week we took a fun trip to the Zoo and talked with 25 8th grade students that are interested in veterinary medicine.  Dr Molander from Banfield Vet Clinic was there to educate the young people on what  it takes to be a Vet and used Cora a a model for examining an animal.  Cora was a rock star throughout the exam and even stood still for the eager students to listen with their stethoscopes to her heartbeat!   Add another job description to what a therapy dog does.   In this case, Cora became a teacher to these young people, who where eager to learn about the training and work that a Therapy Dog undertakes.  



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

New Horizons

  Cora really never stops spreading that "magic" that comes when a person needs that little bit of special healing.  We've been busy for the past few months settling in our new home in Florida.  While in New Jersey visiting with Pop Pop, we met a wonderful young man that didn't allow his disability to interfere with him getting a hand and even a foot on Cora.  The interaction between the two of them was priceless.  It reminded me that we have to find our "spot" here in Florida to continue "heeling to heal" asap!  We'll let you know soon.
Post a Comment
Read more

Puzzle

Today when Cora and I arrived at Mayo, I was struck with the similarities between staff and patients.  In the radiation waiting area we met with a woman sitting patiently trying to put a puzzle together. With one hand on Cora, she studied the small puzzle pieces to see if they fit the pattern.  After a bit, we walked down the hall, where we met with our friends in Radiation Dosimetry.  Wikipedia describes it as follows: "Radiation dosimetry is the measurement and calculation of the absorbed dose in matter and tissue resulting from the exposure to indirect and direct ionizing radiation ."  Simply said, they put together a sort of puzzle at their computers for the patients radiation treatments.  Both the patient and staff focus intently on small pattern pieces, retracing their moves until the pieces fit. When the puzzle is complete there is a feeling of hope and accomplishment!   Cora sits patiently outside of Mayo Clinic Hospital today.
Post a Comment
Read more

Team Work!

Cora and I had a busy 2 days at Mayo this week.  It's always brings a smile to my face when I see the positive reception that is given to us by the patients and their families.  Today brought not only that big smile, but also, filled my heart with pride.  A gentleman that was waiting for his radiation treatment had several questions about therapy dogs and how they functioned in the medical setting.  After several minutes of telling him about the training involved and how we volunteer our time with the dogs, he looked down at Cora who was stretched out across his feet and said, "You are heroes, to be sharing in our moment of weakness"!   Wow, I never would have imagined anyone calling us a hero.  Looking up the true definition, it states, "a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act".   Strange thing is that I look at these patients and draw strength from them.  They stare cancer in the face, ...
Post a Comment
Read more