Day 872

Therapy Dog handlers are often asked how much we make when we go on our visits. At first, the question took me by surprise and I would respond with a simple “Oh, no! We don’t make anything for doing this. We are volunteers!” Later, I had a different response to the question.

I would respond, “We receive so much more than money! Every visit fills our hearts and souls with love. You can’t monetize that!”

Today, we visited Norbella. With Ranger at the end of the leash, We entered and were immediately joined by our dear friend who is the Activities Director there. She led us into Memory Care where the love and greetings warmed our hearts. Along with the residents, there were a couple spouses close at hand. Their devotion humbled me.

Going from person to person, we ended with our favorite lady. Suffering from a traumatic brain injury, she is still very articulate. She touches the dogs, but rarely allows human contact. As we left, she said, “You know me to be brutally honest. So when I tell you that interacting with your dogs is life-altering, you know it’s the truth.” Touching the back of her hand to my arm, she made me promise to come back.

On the other side of the facility, there is a “Dog Club” that actually sits at the dinner table and share Ranger, Lilly and Gus stories. They also band together to guide us through a trail of “dog treat rooms." From one to the next, they direct us to the next person in their club.

The final Dog Club member motioned us in and presented Ranger with a pumpkin full of treats! This very elegant and eloquent woman said, “I wait all week to see your dogs and they never disappoint! Thank you for making our world so much better!"

There is no amount of money that could match the love, affection and gratitude of those we meet each week. Our pay is filling up our Happy Bucket! Ranger would like to add that the treats are an added joy!