Hospice Memorial

Hi there it’s been a busy couple of weeks. I have met so many new friends and I really think that the time I spend with them brings them happiness.

A few weeks back our hospice held it’s annual memorial. They invite the families of those patients that have past to come and celebrate their lives. It was such a wonderful experience to be involved this year. As the Eric, our chaplain, spoke I wandered through the crowd stopping when I felt someone needed a little extra support or a friend.

This is not a sad occasion but for many who have not had a chance to grieve or feel that they should no longer be grieving it gives them a safe place to show their emotions.

So many of the families were hugging the nurses and aides and talking to them like old friends, showing pictures of their loved ones and even pictures of new family members. The room was filled with a mix of emotions. I left the memorial with a greater appreciation for what our hospice team does. They are so much more than nurses and aides. They are caregivers in every sense of the word. 

HELP NEEDED!!!

Are you a loving dog? Do you play well with others (including cats)? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of senior citizens in the community? Then I have an opportunity for you! We are looking for Pet Therapy dogs to visit our Hospice patients. It’s a small time commitment, a few hours a week.

I love being a therapy dog for Nurses & Company. It is so fulfilling knowing that I am making someone’s life a little brighter just by stopping by for a visit. It is because I love it so much that I am putting out a call to all my canine friends out there. If you have ever thought of becoming a therapy dog we would love to have you join us.

Becoming a Certified Therapy Dog is easy in fact there are 2 classes each month in the St. Louis/St. Charles area. You can get more details from the therapy dog international web site http://www.tdi-dog.org/HowToJoinUpcomingTests.aspx. Both my brother Linus and I have gone through the test and it was a breeze.

Mom says I need to be nice and invite cats too.

Our Hospice patients are amazing and they would love to meet you. I look forward to working with you!

It’s Official, I’m a Celebrity

Earlier this month I was invited by Dr. Milta Little, Assistant Professor of Geriatrics at Saint Louis University, to help present at Pioneer Network Conference. The topic, Animals in Long Term Care is near and dear to both Dr. Little and my hearts.

So with a little encouragement from mom I walked onto a stage in front of at least 200 people and “talked” about the benefits of pet therapy. I was a hit. So many of the audience members had questions that I decided to take a couple laps around the auditorium to have a some one on one time with my fans. Of course none of this would have been possible with out Dr. Little, she and many of her colleagues encourage the use of pet therapy in long term care settings. Thanks for thinking outside of the box Dr. L.

So for now I will continue making my rounds at patients’ homes and long term care facilities in St. Charles and St. Louis but maybe one day mom will let me hit the lecture circuit so I can continue to teach the benefits of  pet therapy to a much bigger audience.

What do you say mom? I hear they may need a speaker in Hawaii!

Adult Day Health Care

Have you ever heard of Adult Day Health Care? No? Neither had I until I visited Seniors & Company. What a cool idea! Seniors & Company is a place where you can take your loved one so that they can socialize with others and get a little extra help during the day while you are at work or running errands.
There are different activities throughout each day from arts to reading to bible study and of course a visit from me! I may be a little impartial but I think the clients really enjoy the days I come for a visit.

I love visiting them too because I get a ton of love and affection and I am the center of attention. But what I like most is when I get a little one on one time with one of the participants. I like to look for someone who is sitting quietly and then I will go sit with them. There is one participant who I really enjoy spending time with because I've been told that she doesn't really take a shine to most people. But she takes a shine to me. Sarah is shy and it may take a few minutes but soon after I enter the center she is smiling and reaching for me and even talking! It makes me feel great to bring her that much joy and give her a chance to interact with me and several participants.

I'd love to take all the credit when it comes to Sarah's reaction but I do know that there is some scientific research that proves that many people with dementia respond to animals even when they have blocked themselves off from other people. Whether it's me or just my soft fur that makes Sarah smile I suppose it doesn't matter. I'm just glad she is smiling.

If you are looking for an Adult Day Health Care Center I'd love to see you at Seniors & Company located in the same building as Nurses & Company 115 Piper Hill Drive St. Peters. Let me know if you are stopping in for a free day visit and I'll try to stop by to meet you.

Emma Jo

As I told you last week, I have a really great story to tell you about. 

I’ve been visiting a Hospice patient, Emma Jo Crain for several months now.  I’ve really gotten to know Emma Jo well; she has her doctorate in Special Education, two children, and two grand children.  I’m always excited when I get to visit Emma Jo (especially since she shares her snacks with me!).  Emma Jo clears a spot for me on her bed and I like to hop up and lay next to her. 

While on Hospice, Emma Jo also has a Nurses & Company Hospice social worker who visits with her and talks with her.  Jennifer, the social worker, was talking to Emma Jo about receiving her doctorate in Special Education and what that meant to her in the 70’s, when it was discovered that Emma Jo wasn’t able to walk in her gradation ceremony due to an illness.  After all her hard work at school, she wasn’t able to receive her doctoral hood and her diploma was sent to her via snail mail.  So the Hospice Team and I put our heads together and decided to have a very special graduation ceremony for Emma Jo. 

As plans began to fall in place, the graduation ceremony grew so much bigger than we ever expected.  Dr. James Francko, Dean of the University of Alabama’s graduate school was going to travel to St. Peters to officially conduct the graduation ceremony, complete with the official hood.  For weeks I visited with her before the ceremony and we discussed plans and who would be attending, Dr. Crain couldn’t hide her excitement. 

Finally, on June 18^th, Emma Jo Crain received her doctoral hood, something she had been waiting for for 32 years! I was able to surprise Emma Jo (excuse me I mean Dr. Crain) by presenting here with a certificate of acknowledgement from Nurses & Company. Mom tied the certificate to my collar so I was sure not to get it wet. The now official Dr. Crain was thrilled.  We were all crying with tears of joy!  I’m so lucky to work for such a great organization that will do this for their Hospice patients. 

Paws,

Kozzy

PS: Check out my picture! That's Emma Jo with Dr. Francko.

My employer...

 

Before I begin telling you all about my fun adventures, I wanted to let you know a little more about the company I work for.  As I mentioned last week, I work for Nurses & Company Home Health, Hospice and Private Services and to fully understand what I do, I think it’s helpful to know what my employer does first!

Nurses & Company has been serving the community for 20 years (now that’s a really long time for me, especially if it’s in doggie years which would be 140 years in business!)  They first started with Home Health, where nurses, physical therapists, aides, and occupational therapists go to the patient’s residence to take care of them.  Most patients are on Medicare and are seen by us because they have had a recent surgery, been falling frequently, or need a dressing changed. 

Then in 2008 Nurses & Company began offering Hospice Care.  For those of you unfamiliar with Hospice, it is just wonderful (and I have to say I’m a little biased because the majority of patients I visit are Hospice patients and I just love them!).  Hospice is end-of-life care.  Hospice is not about “giving up” it is about focusing on the quality of life rather than aggressive treatment.  It’s about living the last moments of your life to their fullest. 

Also in 2008, Nurses & Company Private Services began offering in-home assistance.  Private Services can help families and caregivers with personal care, companionship, meal preparation, etc.  Private Services wants to help you and your family maintain the greatest quality of life possible while remaining in your home. 

Phew, don’t they do a lot?!  Stay tuned for my blog next week… I have a really great patient story to tell you about!

Paws,

Kozzy
To learn more about Nurses & Company please visit thier website. www.NursesandCo.com

Welcome to my Blog

Hello. My name is Kozzy. I am a pure white Samoyed. It is in my nature to be calm, quiet and loving which is why my mom and dad thought I would be the perfect candidate to become a Pet Therapy dog. Little did I know when I took the certification course through TDI what a wonderful adventure I was about to begin.

Mom works for Nurses & Company Home Health, Hospice and Private Service (Whew that’s a mouthful) and she pulled some strings and got me hired there.  I really like going to work with mom and hanging out in the office visiting the staff and bringing smiles to their faces but that’s not what I was hired to do. You see I am a certified pet therapy dog so my job begins when we leave the office.  I visit people who are not feeling well and need a pick me up. It is my job to make people happy. Sometimes when I first meet a new “client” they may be shy and not want to pet me but before I leave you better believe I’ve made a new friend.  I love my job and would probably do it for free (but don’t tell mom cause I love getting paid in bones too).

So why am I telling you this? Simple, I realized I have been selfish, enjoying all this attention and reaping all the benefits of making people happy and not sharing it with the world. So when mom is not at her desk I’ll take a few moments each week and share the stories of my Adventures in Pet Therapy. Who knows maybe I’ll inspire your pet to get a job or maybe I’ll just make you laugh either way I know I’ll make you smile.