Day 645

Today was our last day at Partial Hospitalization at Mercy Hospital. The program is being moved to the Unity Campus, so it seemed a good time to let a younger dog take over the reins... or leash. Ranger, Lilly and I have been visiting that unit for years and, in recent times, co-taught a class on the benefits of animals in our lives. To say we will miss our friends up on 6th floor is an understatement.

When we would arrive in the unit, we would be greeted with such fervor! Staff would let the Goldens know they were loved and many of the patients would practically melt when one of the big dogs would walk in. We would present information on:

*The difference between Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs and Comfort Dogs

*The training involved to certify for the first two categories

*Benefits of having animals in your life

*Stories of wonderful interactions at the hospital with the Goldens

*Insurance concerns

We would then end by sharing beloved animal stories from the class. We loved this part of the "job!"

Closing doors is not my forte in life. Retirement was a challenge (especially the college jobs), detaching from Therapy Dog venues that were not a good fit for the dogs, empty nesting, Asher going to elementary school...the list goes on. This should come as no surprise to those who know I have lived in the same house (or next door) for my entire life, stayed at the same elementary school for my career and love my cars so much that I cry when it is trade-in time. Being a creature of habit, the status quo is comforting and predictable. It is also hard to say farewell to the people who end up on the other side of the door that closes.

I met a friend for coffee yesterday who had the ultimate Therapy Dog. Brewster was the biggest goldendoodle known to mankind AND he had the biggest, goofiest heart. He also visited Partial Hospitalization and celebrated his 500th visit before retiring (Ranger was his Plus One for the party!) When asked, my friend Joan said, "Sometimes what is best for your dog is not best for you. We must close some doors to keep our pups healthy...that way they can bring more joy through the years." Wise words from a good friend.

So, we say farewell to one venue, but can now spend more time in the hallways, waiting rooms and patient floors at Mercy Hospital. Who knows what other opportunities might be just around the corner. In the words of Julie Andrews from the Sound of Music, "When one door closes another one opens."