Elderly residents from Crista Shores Senior Living missed the therapy dogs from the Kitsap Chapter of Therapy Dogs International who used to regularly visit them. Since COVID-19 began, the volunteer organization that regulates, tests, and registers therapy dogs had been visiting without the pooches as they were not allowed to visit the facilities.
And the dogs definitely missed them too. So while the dogs were waiting to get back to work, one owner had a creative idea. Katha Miller-Winder, the founder of the Kitsap Chapter which has now close to 40 members, decided to keep her Great Pyrenees named D’Artagnan occupied and entertained with some paint and snacks.
Copying from a video she watched, she put some paint on a canvas then she put on a plastic wrap over it. And on top of that, there was a tasty peanut butter treat or cream cheese that D’Artagnan could lick. This will then spread the paint and make an awesome abstract art painting. Miller-Winder encouraged other handlers to the same and they loved it.
And just recently, the dogs were able to visit their lovely friends again at Crista Shores. Aside from the dog parades and dog tricks they performed outside the residents’ windows to cheer them up, they also brought their artworks. The paintings were displayed outside at an artists’ reception alongside a photo of the dog and their bio.
And here was D’Artagnan wearing a beret during the visit.
Most of the residents had dogs of their own but they were not allowed in the facility so having these therapy dogs visit them was a big help and comfort to them. When the dogs finally got reunited with the residents, it was hard to determine who missed the other one more. Everyone was just so happy and excited to meet each other again.
Source: Kitsap Sun
