At Mayford Place, two dogs and their owners from Therapy and Reading Assistance Pets (TARAPS) visited the residents, the dogs received pats and the owners heard stories from the residents.
Mayford is one of several places TARAPS regularly goes. They visit the hospital, Dunrovin, elementary schools, CNC and Billy Barker Days among other places. At elementary schools, the students who need a little bit of extra help read to dogs to teach them in a fun and non-judgmental situation.
Lynne Worden is a member of TARAPS and she and her dog were visiting Mayford on April 16.
"All of in the group, there's 31 members, we love it," she said. "A lot of the people in these facilities used to have dogs, a lot of farming people and ranching people and when they retire you can't have their cattle and their dogs and their animals in here, so they miss animals."
She said it isn't uncommon for people in places like Mayford and Dunrovin to begin to tear up while petting one of the therapy dogs, thinking about their own animals and being happy to be able to cuddle with animal again.
TARAPS has been around for a decade and was born after another group that focused on supporting people through animals folded.
"There were a few of us dog people left. We had no name, we had no money, we had absolutely nothing. We started from nothing," she said. The group began collecting donations and selling things at markets to start raising funds. Worden's husband made dog toys, some members of the group made treats for dogs and they began to grow.
There are 31 people and 27 dogs in the group, the dogs range from very tiny to extremely large. But even the biggest dogs in the group are gentle giants, having gone through testing to ensure they have the temperament to be in stressful situations that may come from being in a senior facility or a school. The testing includes having the dog walk on different surfaces, dropping pots and pans, going near both calm and much less calm dogs and being approved by a dog behaviour specialist.
One member of the group has a German Shepherd, he and the dog have been going to the hospital and Dunrovin each week. He started while his mother was in Dunrovin and Worden said it became a bit of a habit for him.
"The hospital staff and security fall all over themselves patting and cuddling the dogs when they go in there," Worden said. "The women's auxiliary in the hospital made the German Shepard a special blanket to lay on, it's wonderful."
Carrie Poulin is the recreation coordinator at Mayford Place, she works to arrange social events, crafts, entertainment and all sorts of recreation activities for the residents. Poulin said the dogs visiting residents is immensely helpful and they all enjoy it.
"With the dogs coming in it's a lot of reminiscing, which is really good. It brings back happy memories," she said, echoing what Worden said about many residents having dogs before moving to the facility. "It opens stuff for conversation, which a lot of them do when they have the dog visits. The people that come in with the dogs are really good at conversing with the residents and it just starts off really good conversations."
Poulin said that not only do the dogs bring memories for the residents, but the simple act of petting and cuddling an animal can be very helpful to reduce stress and anxiety and generally make people feel better. She said she's very grateful TARAPS exists and the members and dogs take time to come visit the residents of Mayford.
Deanna Windsor owns the second dog who visited Mayford on April 16, she said it's fun for the dogs, for the owners and for the residents to have dog visits.
"I like it when my dog remembers the (people) and runs to see them," she said. "My dog's a bit lively so she enjoys it."
While TARAPS has 27 dogs currently making visits, three of them are set to retire and the group is always looking for more members to bring their dogs to help people. Those who think their dog has the demeanour can contact Worden at 250-747-2323.
"They're so loving and giving. They don't judge you, they're loyal," Worden said about why dogs are so special. "They're just there for you."
