Cora's Magic

"Touch" Therapy dogs touch so many different people's lives.  Cora and I have been volunteering now at Mayo Clinic for 4 months in the Caring Canines program.  In that short time, we have encountered hundreds of patients, caregivers and staff, that all for their own reasons reach out to "touch"this dog, expecting nothing in return but a few monents of happiness. How simple a gesture, but how great the benefits!

One of the primary functions of a Therapy Dog is to allow an unfamiliar person to make physical contact with them and enjoy that contact.  Here you see a prime example of Cora "loving her job" as a Caring Canine at the Mayo Clinic.  We met our friend in the radiation waiting area.  She told me that she liked dogs, but was a "cat person."  Hearing that, Cora immediately layed down against her foot, offering her side to pet.  Touch is the most important of the five senses, but often neglected.  It's been proven to relieve stress and boost immunity. So glad that Therapy dogs are now a growing part of the medical community.

Visiting with Staff Cora had a very busy day yesterday back at Mayo Speciality Building.  The staff was happy to engage her piano and singing talent and of course give lots of hugs.  Cora's "baritone" voice could be heard throughout the department, amidst the laughter and applause!  We met a lot of new faces, eager to find out exactly what Cora's job was there at Mayo.  One in particular was a husband and his wife.  She told me that she was a "dog lover" and loved the idea of Therapy dogs in the waiting area.  As she was petting Cora and looking down at her face, we began a conversation about how caregivers are in need of some stress relief.  Cora gladly provided that for this woman who was waiting for her spouse to finish with his treatment.  When he came out into the area with us, he stood with his hands in his pockets, eyeing Cora but making no move towards her.  Cora who had been resting comfortably at the feet of his wife, sat up and...

Smiles are "a bloomin" with Cora anxious to get back to Mayo tomorrow.  The human -animal bond that grows in a Therapy Dog program promotes positive mental and physical health benefits for patients, their caregivers and staff.  Enriching lives through the Caring Canine Program  reflects a new evolution in the role that Therapy animals provide.  At the Mayo Clinic Cora is part of a "growing crop" of naturing dogs that help reduce stress,  ease loneliness or just bring a smile to someone's face.  Smiling is contagious, something that should be spread!

Here's Cora learning one of her trademark tricks.."saluting!".  Love using this one especially when we visit with senior veterans.   Usually they are older gentlemen, who at first may seem a little gruff, but as soon as Cora gives a big "salute" they are grinning and chuckling and telling stories from their past.  Therapy dogs act as a "connection"factor to happy times in both the past and present.  It's pure magic! Good job Cora!

The AKC Therapy Dog program awards an official AKC title awarded to dogs who have worked to improve the lives of the people they have visited.   Cora will have earned this title by the end of this month with her visits to the Mayo Clinic Speciality Building Oncology Department. This is a great way to acknowledge the great work that a dog is doing by bringing laughter, smiles or jut some unconditional love to the people that they visit.   So proud to be applying for this title for Cora.  

Therapy dogs come in all sizes, shapes and colors.  No one breed performs better than another.  The one thing that makes a good Therapy dog is the relationship between the handler and dog.  I am blessed to have that type of relationship with Cora.  Together as a team we work as "one" bringing smiles and laughter to those in need of comfort.  This in turn has been found to lower blood pressure, steady breathing, reduce levels of stress hormones and increase the levels of calming hormones. Animal Assisted Activity and Therapy definitely  has a place in healing an individuals physical and mental state.  Go Cora, bring on that smile and charm!

They say that music "soothes", so Cora is brushing up on her keyboard lessons for her return visit to Mayo.  Hope that someone will join her in a duet!

This portrait of Cora was done by a dear friend who is 84 yrs young! Hope it brings a smile to your face like the one that Cora is wearing.

Cora missed out on visiting friends today at Mayo because of an upset tummy.   But tonight she is relaxing with two of her favorite things, her "fleece buppie bed" and Poppy's guitar music.  Ahhh, life is good.

Early to bed tonight, tomorrow I visit with my friends at Mayo!