March 2016 – Meet the Team
When did you and Hemi become a team? – June 2012
What other partners have you had? – Darcy, partner for 12 years
In what type of facility are you visiting? – Warm Springs – animal assisted therapy in the rehab gym, St. Francis Nursing – traditional and wonderful, University Hospital – visiting patients and lots of staff
In what other Therapy Animals activities do you and your partner participate? – A few presentations, love the college de-stressors
Tell us something about your partner that we may not know. – Hemi in the only Norwich Terrier ever with championships in two performance events – obedience and agility.
What Therapy Animals leadership position(s) do you currently have? – Instructor for the team training class
What other leadership positions have you had? – President for 2 terms = 4 years, Eval chair for 6 years, Team training instructor for 15 years, Pooch Parade Chair or Co-chair for 4 years.
Tell us something about yourself that we may not know. – I went to 12 schools in 11 years (before college) and never got a high school diploma.
February 24, 2015 – My visit to University Hospital with Hemi last week was in many ways kind of an ordinary visit, which is to say, we only saw a couple of small miracles happen. We were walking down the hall when a mother with a small child stepped into the hallway. The child was very distressed and was making that loud and clear. The child saw Hemi from about 30 feet away, was instantly fascinated, and the only noises we heard after that were gurgles of contentment. We also visited a non-verbal child, who was sitting next to Hemi petting him when the doctor walked up and said “This is the first time I’ve seen you smile.” These little miracles are why we do this.
April 1, 2013 – Therapy Team of the First Quarter – Hemi and I were working in therapy recently at a rehabilitation facility. I looked up to greet our next patient. She said, “I know you. I worked with Darcy when I was here the last time.” I did a little math and said, “That was at least six years ago.” She confirmed that. She didn’t actually remember too much of that hospital stay, but she remembered working with the dog, and, amazingly to me, she remembered the name of the dog! I was lucky enough to get this feedback. I share it with you because I know the same is true for most of you on many of your visits, but you don’t get to hear about how much of an impression you made.
