guess i forgot to post this- biff the therapy dog.

[mopinko]

so, i have been doing a little hospice volunteering. when i had my interview w the agency, one of the questions they ask is- what special things would you bring to this job?
i had 2 things. one, since i was specifically interested in pediatric cases (tho on the inpatient unit, there are often kids) was a big toy collection that i was interested in sharing.
but the other was- i have this big dog.
biff is 90 lbs of patient, loving english bulldog. everyone who gets to know him is convinced that he especially loves and connects with them.
in order to bring him to the hospital, he had to be certified with therapy dogs international. we passed the test in january, and recently got his full credentials. i was a little unsure of just how desirable the agency found this. that is until i got an email from my "boss" asking when i was going to bring him in.
then saturday i was a part of a new volunteer orientation. i asked if i should bring him, but didnt get a reply, so i didnt. the boss was disappointed that i hadnt brought him.
i asked him if there was someone in particular i was supposed to check with when i signed up for a shift. he said "they all know"

so, next time i will bring him along. i am only worried that i will be chopped liver when i dont bring him thereafter.

eta that he is the first k9 volunteer for the agency, and lots of folks are excited about it.

[shenmue]

1. Hooray!

[elleng]

2. Very exciting!

Would be great if you could take pics when y'all are there, but I understand it might not be possible.

[mopinko]

3. yeah, they are a bugger about privacy.

but i will see what i can get that is ok.
i do need to get a photobucket or something, cuz i cant seem to post my fb pics any more.

[elleng]

6. Not the BEST, but take pics as y'all enter and leave the facility?

This is SO good! My daughter is an occupational therapist, starting a new job in a school/high school and helping set up the OT program, and I love hearing about such new and optimistic ventures!

[mopinko]

9. i will be interested to find out who biff cheers up the most-

patients, family or staff.
apparently they are fairly used to having dogs on the unit because many people get visits from their own dogs. they just have to sign a waiver of liability. they can get on the bed, whatever they want.

on the unit a lot of the patients are not that responsive. but i am told there is usually at least one patient that would love to have a visit from a dog.

i am sorta betting it will be staff, tho, after the comment of "they all know"

[mopinko]

4. biff's puppy pic.

[elleng]

7. Oh BABY!!!

[mopinko]

5. biff passes the test

yeah, no sooner do i say that than the links decide to work.
ooo0000ooooo

[elleng]

8. :thumbsup:

[TygrBright]

11. Who's a good boy, Biff? YOU'RE a good boy!! n/t

[mopinko]

12. he sure is. if you have as many dogs as i have had, you are lucky

to get one or two like him. just the most easy going, easily trained, loyal pup.
i trained him to heal w/o a leash. just verbal cues, and a hand signal and in no time he was right at my side wherever i walked.
gets along w everyone, human and canine.

cant wait to get to work w him.

[Quackers]

15. Love this pic!

[brer cat]

10. Good doggie, Biff.

[Judi Lynn]

13. Biff. So cute. Hugs for Biff. n/t

[2theleft]

14. He's beautiful on top of being a good boy?

You have hit the doggie lottery!!! So excited to hear how he does at work!

[mopinko]

16. srsly. one of the best dogs i have had. and i have had some good ones.

bully dogs are the best, anyway, but.....
yup. he is the doggie lottery top prize.