Re: [PyrNet-L] The elderly and their pets

[Kiradaw@aol.com]

In a message dated 11/19/99 12:44:31 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
bamb@monmouth.com writes:

<< I have a friend who moved to an adult community. You were allowed to
 bring your pet but not replace it if it died. They have since changed
 that rule. >>
                                                                                
    Hi Barb, What a wonderful idea, I wish more nursing homes could follow a 
program like that! On the whole, we have found nursing homes around here, not 
very open to idea's. My husband Charlie, remodels nursing home and is 
sometimes, happy with the care the people are getting, but quite often find 
that the people aren't even watched. A lot of the time they will be right in 
the middle of his work, and the staff has no idea where they are. I cannot 
imagine if they also had pets to deal with too, I guess it just depends on 
the nursing home. I just wish the quality of care was a lot better in some of 
them. Until then, I guess these people will have to get their pet fix with 
the people who bring their therapy pets in. Our dog training club has a group 
of therapy dogs that go and do tricks and obedience for the people, it is 
wonderful. My dog Conner loves to just go up to someone, and lay his head in 
their lap, I take him to private homes a lot for the people who used to have 
pets but can no longer have them. It is so sweet that at some places they 
have him his own water bowl and insist that they get his water for him. It 
does not matter that I bring a bowl and water for him, it is just something 
special. Conner never has turned down a drink of water from any one of these 
people, and I know most of the time he is not thirsty. How do they know?      
 Debbie and the Pyr gang