Our first day at the Mayo Clinic

Our first day volunteering with Mayo Clinic's Caring Canines program. It's a humbling place where hopefully we can bring some smiles to both patients and staff. Cora made herself right at home in the Radiation and Chemo area where we are assigned. Even the most leery eyed gentlemen broke into a grin when she demonstrated her "hookie pookie"and then gave a big salute. We then wandered into a waiting room filled with new members of the "glow club". These are the people waiting to receive a tour of the area that they will receive their radiation treatments. I sat down next to a woman who's face was marked with fear. Cora laid down at her feet and I could hear her sigh of relief as she reached down and started petting Cora. She told me that Cora's presence made the waiting a little more bearable. I asked God as we drove down the long drive to the Mayo to "walk with me" and give me the strength that I needed to be a volunteer and handler for Cora with this program. He did more than that, he sent two special angels to be by my side, my Mother and Grandmother.

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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.

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, ...

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.

Cora's Magic

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