Skip to main content

Positive Outlooks




It was a good day today visiting our friends at Mayo.  Cora was excited to be with familiar faces and even happier to show off what a Therapy dog can bring into a small corner of a medical center.  Two bell ringings today, symbolizing the last day of treatment and the beginning of new horizons.  Cora quickly grabbed the tissue box for one courageous woman who rang that bell proudly.  Our gentlemen friend thanked us for being there during the times his wife sat waiting.  Hugs, goodbyes and very positive outlooks on their faces. Cora waved goodbye with her paw  but quickly turned her attention to the next group of people arriving.  She knows so well that adding some comfort and laughter to the group is her job.  Therapy dogs help to bring a smile, laughter or just a comforting touch, all adding to a person's ability to form positive outlooks on life.  


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

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.