Love that Spikey...

I'm very proud to announce that Spike and I took our second certification exam with the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog program and we have been approved to work with children!  It's the first step in my campaign to take him to work with me, to hang out with my special needs students. :)  Makes for a great weekend!!

Why I take Spike to the nursing home

I was exhausted yesterday when it came time to get Spike ready to head to the nursing home for a visit. I had taught all day and while it was a great day with my students, I was still worn out from just finishing the government paperwork that needs filing for funding, as well as report cards for my students. It was a bit cold out, I had just run in with groceries in tow, everyone needed to be fed but I had just enough time to quickly groom Spike, change into my St. John Ambulance Volunteer clothes and head out. I didn't want to go, I wanted to stay home and putter around the house.

But, I realized again last night why I take him. When I arrive, I always check in at the nursing station. One of Spike's favourite ladies was standing there, talking, and when she turned around to see who was there I could tell she had been crying. I asked her how she was and she told me she'd been crying all day because she wanted to go home. So, I encouraged her to sit on the couch and I would visit. She hugged Spike for 20 minutes last night, as he soaked up the attention. And, when we left, she was smiling. She didn't say anything really, she just hugged Spike and rubbed his ears and soaked up his attention. He even gave her a very rare lick, which is reserved for very important people. That made her day. So, for that poor lady who knows enough to realize she can't go home again but wants to, maybe that's what she needed last night. Just a little doggy TLC. And, Spike walked away knowing he has a job, happy, content and ready to curl up for the night.

Yes, that was worth all the work to get him ready to do this work. I have no idea what goes on in those moments when a person just needs to hug a dog, but I do know when I am in that state, it makes the world better. I'd like to think Spike helped her just a little and maybe today will be a little brighter because of it. Sometimes I think Spike and I get more out of these visits than the people do but last night was a rare moment when I could see my dog for what he truly is; a gentle soul, willing to sit with a lonely woman and help her just a little. What a cool thing!

Ah, the indignities....

Poor, poor Spike. He was all excited to go visit his ladies at the nursing home. Until I made him wear this, that is...

He'd like you to think his life is HORRIBLE. Don't you believe a word of it.

He loves the attention, even if the ladies giggled more than a little. :)

It's tiring work being a workin' man!

Spike and I went to on our bi-weekly visit to the nursing home, the other evening. We've been going since we became certified through St. John Ambulance as a Therapy Dog team and I knew right away that he enjoyed the work; he pulls me through the doors, and he prances down the hallway as if he owns the place! What I didn't count on was how much I would grow fond of the people I visit and how much I would enjoy the work.

It didn't take Spike long to figure out he was there to work; for some people he will do tricks. For others, he'll sit calmly, head on their knee as they rub his ears. He knows our usual people and knows their rooms. When I get his bandana out, he becomes a different dog, focused, ready to go. I love that about Spike! He understands the time to work and the time to play.

We've been going since March and we've managed to break through to a few people and gotten them to share things I never thought they would share. There has to be value in that; if a person is lonely, locked in their room because they don't hear or see well but they are content to chat with me, while gently petting Spike then that's work well done.  And, it's been a gift to me to see Spike learn his job, learn the people and clearly love his time working.

And, when he comes home, he's a tired, tired boy!

He's fighting to stay awake there. And, even more so in this one, taken to show off his work uniform.

What a great gift to have a therapy dog!

Changes Are A'Comin!

It's official. There are changes coming in my world for next year! First of all, I will be a Fulltime MEd student, in the Educational Foundations program at UofS. Of course, I might as well have been last year, but I am jumping in and getting going on this program. The plan is to start my Thesis (pending choosing my topic, of course), after Christmas. Yikes. That's not far away.

The other major change in my life is a change of job. I am transferring schools for next year, from the school I work at, in Osler to a school in Dalmeny. I am very excited about this as I will be working with a small group of students everyday who have a variety of challenges, many very different than I have spent the last two years working with. And, better yet is the driving distance for me. I have been driving just shy of 40KM's one way, everyday the last two years, which on rough roads takes me usually somewhere around 30 minutes to do. And, much more in bad weather. It doesn't sound that bad, but when I had class at the University, I couldn't go home between work and school so I had to hire someone to play with my dogs. So, my new drive is 12 KM's, or about 10 minutes, and I can go home and play with the dogs for 30 minutes between work and class which is huge. I am relieved to make this change as it will change my dog's lives too! As well, I will save lots of money on gas/pet sitting and that translates to more freedom to do dog training! :)

Best of all, I am feeling very lucky these days to have Spike. He has turned out to be an amazing therapy dog, handling anything I throw at him. Nothing is bothering him at the nursing home anymore; he has a knack especially with a couple of the men which shocks me. This from a dog who used to distrust any men at all. I am very hopful that I can continue this work so that we can complete our child test with St. John Ambulance. Then, my plan is to be able to use Spike in my new classroom. Cross your fingers my new principal is open to the idea because Spike has a way of changing the mood in a room for the better!

Here's to changes that were much needed!

St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog!

It's official, we have made our first visit. And, we survived! I'll tell you, Spike and I are both exhausted, but I am proud of the boy.. he done good. :)

Spike, post visit, but still dressed in his "working clothes".

I never thought Spike and I would EVER get to this point. Way to go Spike, you've come a long way, boy!