Monday, Sep. 07, 2009

Rantin: Hair, slobber and friendship

Indy’s trips to Traditions Adult Daycare begin much the same each month.

The first stop is with Hattie Washington, followed by a brief visit with caregiver Julia Humphries and then a greeting with Kevin Coates.

But the 4-year-old French hound’s rounds are just getting started.

Indy has become a welcome face at the Columbia senior care facility, where he’s been making regular visits since the beginning of the year.

So welcome, in fact, that daycare workers and clients threw him a special birthday party last week.

“We tried to get a birthday cake, but we couldn’t get one for the dog so we got cookies and juice,” said Tradition’s activities director, Connie Lumpkin, of the celebration that included decorations, birthday hats and whistles.

Still, the monthly visits are not just about fun and games.

As one of three trained therapy dogs at Hospice Care of Tri-County, Indy is part of a team that regularly interacts with residents living at area senior centers or receiving hospice care.

“The people are so excited to see Indy. It’s just amazing how this wonderful little dog has made the people laugh and brightens their day,” said Linda S. Davis, volunteer coordinator for Tri-County Hospice.

Davis, whose greyhound, Rita, is one of the three dogs in the program, started the therapy program at Hospice Care in December.

After throwing a Christmas party at Traditions, she asked about bringing one of the dogs to the center.

“Some (of the clients) were a little hesitant at first, but now they just want the dog to come,” she said. “It just makes some of them come out of their shells.”

Indy is owned by hospice volunteer Gail Romine. A third dog, Buddy, a yellow lab, is owned by sisters Nina Yarborough and Neta Foster.

“We all took a class for our dogs to be certified,” Davis explained.

Lumpkin said the visits have been beneficial for the clients, many living with Alzheimer’s or related conditions.

“They are more relaxed,” she said. “They are happy. There is no sadness there. They just enjoy the visit. Now, it’s like “When is Indy coming?’”

Hospice Care of Tri-County is looking for more volunteers. The next training session begins Sept. 27. For details about becoming a volunteer, call Davis at (803) 400-1177.

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