It's just great that places like this are compassionate about people's need to be with their pets (or others' pets like Hattie) I hope that wherever I end up is the same. And has a pony.
Bless you for doing what you do . I can speak from the other side of the table on this . I'm a lab owner ,have been since I can remember . Joined the Military did my Duty and back home I came . Being home was worse than being away sometimes . I struggled to be a husband and a father at times . Countless therapy sessions, medication nothing helped . What did help was taking my dog out for a walk . I started feeling anxious and the dog immediately calmed me down . My dog did for me what nothing else could made me normal again . He passed in June and I took it hard still do. I'm forever grateful for that dog and what he did for me . I have another lab now and same thing. No matter how hard life gets at times my boy is never far away to help me out and let me know everything is going to be ok. In a way my dogs probably saved my family . If you do that for anyone else then bless you .
@JaxnTrouble thank you so much for your lovely words I'm so sorry you have had such a rough time during your life but also I am happy that your dogs have helped you through these very difficult times to make you feel calmer and able to cope a little better. I think dogs offer far more to us than a lot of people and I never under estimate that. Dogs never cease to amaze me and to see the joy Hattie brings to people in the Hospice is priceless. xxx
I have a few friends that have service dogs for their PTSD and their anxiety . It's amazing to see a friend start to go into an episode and a dog immediately jump up on his owner and begin licking him, or just get near him to get the owners attention on these dogs. I see a lot of the service dog traits in my boy that's why I don't have a service dog myself ,he can tell if I'm upset and he's got to where now if I'm seated and am feeling anxious he jumps up into my lap and begins licking me . Your comment about what dogs offer us I'll say this . We had war dogs . Regardless of people's opinions on the conflict or the dogs in it now the service a war dog brings is second to none . There is a reason war dogs are held in the same class as their human counterparts. Granted we mainly worked with another breed for that breeds specific traits but there were labs there as well. Many a times I've seen someone take 2 sips of a water bottle and the rest goes to their dog. When they are put into actual working roles then IMHO you get to see just how special this breed is
The Queen's 90th Birthday Celebrations Hattie was invited to the Hospice to celebrate the Queen's 90th Birthday. We had a lovely day arriving at 11.00 am up on to the hospice ward where I met some people I know from our village and a lady I used to work with. We did our rounds, Hattie got her payment (fish skin cubes) then we went downstairs to the day centre, the patio doors were open the sun was shining, there was bunting, balloons (some popped Hattie didn't bat an eyelid ), parasols, a pianoist, lots more people than usual, patients being brought down ramps in wheelchairs, on frames, walking sticks etc. The lovely thing is Hattie made a bee line for the patients she knows well which was much to their delight It was so wonderful to see the patients laughing, chatting and maybe forgetting what they are going through even if it was for just a short while. Hattie had her photo taken lots of times and posed beautifully every time She did quite well when the food arrived but I really had to watch her We were there until 1.30 pm so it was quite a long time for her but she did me proud and made everyone smile and nobody wanted her to leave We had a really lovely time with really lovely people xx
So pleased to hear that you and Hattie enjoyed the tea party. Hattie is such a good girl with so many distractions around and staying focused. How fantastic that she recognises people there and wants to greet them, she must bring so much pleasure to them , and just to make the occasion even better you had lovely sunshine xx
Aw Hattie, you are one very special girl. What a fantastic visit for you Helen, to be able to join in the celebrations with the patients and staff. Lovely that Hattie is recognising people too, she must light up their day tremendously.
Sorry but I just need to get this out so I hope you all don't mind. Today was a very tough day at the Hospice, only to be expected I know. Only one patient in the Day Care Centre today as everyone else is too poorly to come in Went upstairs onto the ward only find one of our regular favourite chaps had passed away It was just heartbreaking walking into his room to find it empty. Went into another room to see another one of our lovely ladies who is nearing the end I cried buckets on the way home xxx
I am sorry, it must be so hard for you, however, you must have made such a difference to the patients when they were better and gave them some joy, cling on to that. xx
Oh Helen I'm so sorry to hear that, it must have been very upsetting, particularly after your lively tea party. Even though it is so sad you and Hattie have made a huge difference to lots of peoples lives through your PAT work, so try and hold on to that thought. You have brought these people pleasure at a time when their life was very bleak xxx
