Two dogs are bringing lots of smiles to the residents of Siloam Springs Nursing and Rehab.
Dusty, a retired racing greyhound and certified therapy dog, has been visiting patients once a week for the past two years. He was recently joined in his job of canine joy-giver by Polly, a chihuahua mix who comes to work each day with her owner, nurse Lindsay Anderson, to serve as nursing home pet.
Dusty, accompanied by his owner Memerley McElheny, greets patients up and down the hall, doing tricks such as shaking hands and waving goodbye. Residents react with delight as he calmly pads up to them and he soaks in the love and attention.
He has developed some regular fans over the years. Linda Allen isn't sure that her aunt Norma Taylor recognizes her anymore when she visits each day, but there is no doubt in her mind that Taylor still recognizes Dusty. Getting to spend time with the dog is the highlight of Taylor's week, Allen said.
On Monday, Taylor bent over in her wheelchair to stroke Dusty's back as she hugged him and pressed her face against his silky fur. Her lifetime love of dogs was clearly evident as she lamented that the 85-pound Dusty couldn't sit in her lap.
"I just love you," she told Dusty, then turned to McElheny and said, "I think he knows me!"
"I think he knows you too," McElheny replied, "He knows how much you love him."
Dusty, for his part, had a look of pure doggy bliss on his face as Taylor continued to stroke his back and give him hugs.
Bringing those smiles to patients is what volunteering is all about for McElheny. Therapy dogs are her passion, she said.
"Just bringing my dog gives them a brighter day," she said. "It's wonderful."
Dusty is her third therapy dog. He raced in Birmingham, Ala., where he was known as Silent Dusty Boy. Once he was adopted by McElheny, Dusty went through extensive obedience training and earned his canine good citizen certification before taking his therapy dog test, she said.
A good therapy dog not only has to be loving and friendly, but has to prove to be unflappable, McElheny said. Therapy dogs must show that they aren't startled by loud noises or intimidated by wheelchairs and beeping medical equipment. They must also never bark.
Dusty is just the right height for patients who are in bed to easily reach him, but despite his size there is something about his calm demeanor that puts people who are afraid of large dogs at ease, McElheny said.
Before visiting patients, Dusty has a bath and a pedicure. He even has his ears cleaned and his teeth brushed. Dusty starts getting excited when its time to visit the nursing home. He also visits patients at Highlands Oncology each week.
When it's time to go visit patients, Dusty jumps right in the car, but when it's time to go home Dusty can't seem to get in by himself and McElheny has to lift him in herself, she said with a laugh.
Dusty and Polly met in the hallway on Monday, with some nose sniffing and tail wagging. Polly has been the resident pet of the nursing home for the past two weeks. She trots up and down the halls on her own, stopping to visit a patient in a room or catching a snuggle in a resident's lap in the hallway.
Polly is a regular in Lebron Vaughan's room -- she evidently knows a dog person when she sees one.
Vaughan said he has been at Siloam Springs Nursing and Rehab for the past four weeks. He misses his two Corgis at home and said Polly's company is a big comfort.
"She's quite the little dog," he said, as he held Polly on his lap and slipped her a treat.
Anderson adopted Polly from the animal shelter in Centerton in 2005. The two bonded at the shelter and Anderson knew instantly that Polly was a special dog. Over the past 11 years, she has become known for her love of people.
"She just brings so much joy to everyone," Anderson said. "Her whole life has been like that."
Polly is more than happy to have a job and come to work each day with Anderson.
"I say 'you want to go with,' and she gets so excited," Anderson said.
Spending time with dogs does more than bring joy to patients. As a nurse, Anderson believes the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual are all tied together and what benefits one can benefit the rest. She said that the dogs help relieve anxiety, depression and loneliness, and can even lower blood pressure. Having a dog to care for and love can also give a patient purpose, she said.
Patients love both dogs and having them around is especially good for those who are depressed, according to Debbie Shrum, activities director. She said that having a dog like Polly in the nursing home makes it a more homelike atmosphere for people who are used to having pets.
"It brings them joy," she said.
General News on 02/10/2016