kirkton
Well-Known Member
Well my black lab and I went today for our first Therapet visit to a home for elderly people with dementia.
I have to say he was brilliant. He was very calm, happy to speak to everyone. If someone showed an interest in him he quietly sat next to them and enjoyed the fuss (a couple of times on their feet - oops!)
Unfortunatley in one of the lounges it was morning tea time and someone fed him a custard cream! So he was a little focused on the biscuits after that but very good.
We also went into a few bedrooms of people who were in bed. One had a canary (sp?) in a cage and he was totally distracted by this. He just stared at it , as if to saw "what the hell is it doing in a bedroom"
One lady was confined to bed and seemed totally away with the fairies. She did not seem to know we were even in the room let alone that there was a large dog with his head on her pillow! I must admit I thought that she could not possibly be getting anything out of it as she did not even seem to look at him. However, as we left the room she slowly lifted her hand and waved goodbye! The 'activities' lady who was with me was as shocked as me that we got such a reaction.
Anyway, going back next week at the earlier time of 10am to avoid the biscuits!
I have to say he was brilliant. He was very calm, happy to speak to everyone. If someone showed an interest in him he quietly sat next to them and enjoyed the fuss (a couple of times on their feet - oops!)
Unfortunatley in one of the lounges it was morning tea time and someone fed him a custard cream! So he was a little focused on the biscuits after that but very good.
We also went into a few bedrooms of people who were in bed. One had a canary (sp?) in a cage and he was totally distracted by this. He just stared at it , as if to saw "what the hell is it doing in a bedroom"
One lady was confined to bed and seemed totally away with the fairies. She did not seem to know we were even in the room let alone that there was a large dog with his head on her pillow! I must admit I thought that she could not possibly be getting anything out of it as she did not even seem to look at him. However, as we left the room she slowly lifted her hand and waved goodbye! The 'activities' lady who was with me was as shocked as me that we got such a reaction.
Anyway, going back next week at the earlier time of 10am to avoid the biscuits!
