Let me introduce you to Hank, my 3 1/2 year old Chocolate Lab.  I was introduced to Therapy Dogs by my father who takes his dog to several nursing homes.   I started going on visits in February 2007 and have been enjoying myself immensely.

One of the facilities that we go to has a special meaning to me as my mother was a patient there just recently.   As luck would have it, Therapy Dogs had a scheduled visit there while my mom was a patient.  What a surprise it was to my mom when I walked in with Hank and all of the other dogs.  You have to understand, my mom is an avid dog lover.  She just loved and loved on Hank for quite some time. After visiting with her, I sat with one gentleman who just talked and talked about his hunting dogs while Hank laid his head on his lap the whole time.   He had the biggest smile on his face the entire time.   We didn’t get around to any other patients that evening as the man was just fascinated by Hank and was brining back old memories.  If you only touch one person at a visit it makes it all worth it.   I left there with a very full heart and a much loved dog.