Hi Fellow volunteers 

This is the report of our recent visit to BHID on the 28th January, 2012

In attendance

It was a cloudy afternoon but the mood is anything but cloudy. It was great seeing the lovely residents at BHID as we had missed december's visit to the home.

We had a great turnout of TDS volunteers alongside our volunteers from SGcares. 

We would like to thank all the volunteers who give up their precious saturday afternoon to be with the residents at BHID.

Your presence there makes a huge difference.

1. Valerie Gan

2. Fiona Seow & Maria with Reegan & Quinton (Golden Retrievers) 

3. Pei San with Summer (Chihuahua)

4. Wendy Pang and parents, Mr & Mrs Pang with Xiaohei (Miniature Schnauzer)

5. Susan Ng & Rosie Choo with Faith (Maltese)

6. Tin Chan with Bobby (Shihtzu)

7. Amy Low with Duby (Beagle)

8. Huiyuan with BoBo (Chihuahua)

9. Ray with Cadbury (Miniature Poodle)

10. Beatrice Low with Jony (Chihuahua)

11. Andy Pe with Koko (Golden Retriever)

12. James Howser & Daphne Teo with Moby (Labrador Retriever)

13. Angie Lim with Snow (Samoyed)

14. Joanne Foong with Buddy (Golden Retriever)

We would like to say "welcome" to our first time observers, Janice Goh (Helping hand) and Jaclyn Yap whose Japanese Spitz, Happi after she turns one year will hopefully join our canine volunteer pool

Also would like to say a big thank you to the 7 SGcare volunteers who joined us: Pui Yoon (Leader), Shraddha, Angela Ong, Liu Shihui, Ghek Leng, Sylvia Chua and Michelle Lim.

Notes and highlights

As usual, the BHID residents greeted us warmly. They always make our volunteers feel welcomed and appreciated. Even before the visit started, some of the volunteers had a wonderful time chatting with the residents in the canteen.

- A big thank you to our generous sponsors!!!! First to Stanley Wong for donating 100 cups of New Zealand Premium Ice cream for the residents to enjoy, and Susan Ng and Carol Ong for sponsoring the drinks, Pei San and friends (Ong Ying Ying, Ruby Lim) 

for sponsoring the various cookies/love letter. Huiyuan was great to bring along some additional goodies. 

- Due to all the goodies brought by our volunteers, our canine volunteers couldn't go into the hall to greet the residents as they were busy enjoying the cookies, drinks and ice cream. 

- Finally when we were allowed to go in, we were greeted with so much enthusiasm from the residents, it was all worth the wait.

-One of the most popular activities was the jigsaw puzzles. Fiona Seow brought 5 sets for the residents to play with. The SGcares volunteers were great with doing the jigsaw puzzles with the residents. Though most of them didn't need any help :).

- The chihuahuas were ever popular, as various residents even the SGcares volunteers clamoured to hold them or take a picture with them.

- Maria was at her usual 'station' with SM who loves Golden Retrievers. But what was surprising this time, she wanted Quinton rather than Reegan who she usually chooses. This time, Maria didn't bring out the butterfly clips for SM. After a while, you can tell she was looking for them, and when Maria brought them out, SM beamed!!! It was great to see her wanting to do activities rather than just sitting down as she used to. They started with the usual activity with SM placing the butterfly clips on Quinton. When Maria gave her a brush, she was happy to comb Quinton. She was also willing to share, as another resident join in to place the clips on Quinton while SM waited patiently till that is done before she combed Quinton again. All that time, Quinton was lying down, fast asleep, enjoying the fussing.

- The atmosphere in the hall was as usual happy and lively. Everywhere you look, you will find a group of residents hurdled together with our volunteers and their dogs, or walking the dogs or taking photos or fussing the dogs. When it was time to leave, our volunteers did not move at all. They had to chased out of the hall by me :) It was evident that all our volunteers enjoyed themselves and were reluctant to leave.

Finally, I would like to thank all the volunteers again who spent a lovely afternoon with us. I hope to see all of you at our next visit.

Warmest,

Fiona Seow

with Reegan & Quinton

Back to Previous Page

_____________________________________________________________________

Visit on 27 January 2012: MINDSville @ Napiri

Back to Previous Page

_____________________________________________________________________

Visit on 20 January 2012: Sunshine Welfare Action Mission Home (SWAMI)

Hi Fellow volunteers 

This is the report of our recent visit to to SWAMI on the 20th January, 2012 Friday.

In attendance

Despite the heavy rain and terrible traffic, our hardcore volunteers turned up to bring some chinese new year cheer to the residents at SWAMI

A big thank you to all who came, you made a difference  :)

1. Frances Lim with Ollie (Huskie/retriever cross)

2. Fiona Seow and Maria with Reegan and Quinton (Golden Retrievers) 

3. Michelle Loh with Yaki (Miniature Dachsund)

4. Michelle Ho (Helping hand while her dog awaits his temperament test)

First time visits

We were joined by Michelle Ho who has kindly made the trip down to SWAMI to join us as a helping hand while her dog awaits his temperament test at the end of the month.

Notes and highlights

-We were greeted with the sight of the residents happily eating their mandarin oranges given by a previous group of volunteers.

- Frances and Fiona kindly brought some CNY cookies and mandarin oranges to distribute to the residents. They were too

busy enjoying their goodies to notice that we were leaving :)

- Yaki was the best dressed on the day, wearing her cute little red cheong sum, so pretty and festive for the occasion. The dachsund together with Michelle Loh

made their rounds to impress the residents with her cute outfit.

- Michelle Ho together with Quinton provided some entertainment for the residents, doing some tricks.

- Only Reegan got some walk with her favourite uncle, one of the few ones who love to walk the dogs.

Finally  my heartfelt thanks to all others for your help and dedication to bring joy to the folks at SWAMI. I hope to see you at the next visit.

There is no better exercise for your heart,

Than reaching down and helping to lift someone up.

- Bernard Meltzer

Warmest,

Fiona Seow

with Quinton & Reegan

Back to Previous Page

_____________________________________________________________________

Visit on 15 January 2012: Ward 66A Institute of Mental Health (IMH) 

Dear TDS volunteers,

Happy Chinese New Year!!!!!

Gong Xi Fa Cai!!!

Sorry for the late report again.

We had our visit on the 15 January 2012 thank you for all who came that day. Thanks Hui Ru and Stanley for bringing such nice and healthy chinese new year goodies to share with the residents of ward 66 at IMH. And soya bean drink as well. 

Our dear Biong Biong was also dressed up for the occasion with a bright red Chinese traditional top :D

Summer is such as darling, sitting so quietly on the lap of the ladies, and letting them cuddle.

And not to forget the rest who also brought smiles to the face of the ladies. (Cool fur cut Wagon *wink*) And to our dear volunteers, even just lending a listening ear and chatting to them brings much comfort and some mental stimulation to some of the residents there :)

We did not go for the walk this time round as there isn't that many of us, but still, one of the ladies, actually walked the dog up and down the exercise staircase inside the ward. I think that is very motivating! 

Thank you to the staff of Ward 66 who also brought some of them from ward 66B over to join us as some of them also look forward to play with our dogs.

Those present were

1) Janice and Zechy

2) Myself (Lishan) and McMug

3) Hui Ru, Stanley and Gucci

4) Ivin and Biong Biong

5) Valerie and Sable

6) Pei Shan and Summer

9) Victor and Gin and Wagon

Next visit will be on 19 Feb 2012. Hope to see you there!!!! 

Best Regards, 

Lishan

All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all.

-- Cecil Alexander 

Back to Previous Page

_____________________________________________________________________

Visit on 14 January 2012: Bethany Methodist Nursing Home (BMNH)

Dear fellow TDS volunteers, 

This is a report following our recent visit to Bethany Methodist Nursing Home on 14th January 2012.

I'd like to share one thing I observed about this group of residents - that is, regardless of rain or shine, these folks always gather very promptly at Hall of Praise for our monthly visit, and in full anticipation :) 

I believe this reflects their enthusiasm in meeting our friendly 'healing paws', and 'healing hands', whom for some (without family), have become their 'regular' visitors.

Highlights:

In all, 41 residents gathering at the Hall of Praise, and some were new faces. Kudos to our seasoned volunteers who eased these new joiners in so quickly. No doubt our furry friends make fantastic ice-breakers too!

Schuyler, always so well groomed, was happy to be put on a table surface, where residents could take part in brushing him up. This is a great activity for residents to actively move their hands, which is often deconditioned from general passivity. It is evident that trained therapy dogs really do provide this subtle, yet powerful motivation for residents to move with much less effort and conscious thought.

Brutus, on the other hand, is such a natural in bringing smiles and laughters just by either sauntering around the room (usually the first one to enter), lying out on all 4 limbs on the floor, or receiving treats in exchange with his generous slob of saliva :)

We also welcomed Taro, our new therapy dog brought in by new volunteersTarinee and Yamaha. Taro, a golden labrador, was visibly excited to be there - his tail furiously wagging and full of energy throughout the session! Nevertheless he posessed a gentle temperament, and gamely allowed to be given treats (carrots) by residents.

Not forgetting as well - good ol' Brinkley with his quick reflexes in catching treats in the air, Misty ever so willing to get up close to residents for a pat, and Sable for patiently sitting on laps of residents.

Our observers (Yen and Michelle) for the session gave positive feedback about being there, both of them felt the 'joy' in the atmosphere. It is great to see them interacting naturally and at ease with the residents. 

In this session, Wei Chin went around the room to look out for potential residents who may benefit from AAT.

She noticed that a younger female resident (Siew Wah), was progressively more responsive and attentive during our sessions.  Although she lacked verbal communication, when we spoke to her, she attempted in her own way, to respond non-verbally. Perhaps one of the benefits of TDS sessions is also to bridge and encourage communication, especially with those who have been deprived of speech abilities. 

In attendance:

Helping Hands

Wei Chin

Kunshan

Li May

Observers

Michelle

Yen

Jocelyn (BMNH volunteer coordinator)

For your continued support to TDS, and giving us a detailed presentation about the home. I think those present gained a better understanding about the folks we meet every month.

Lastly, special thanks to Melanie and Delphe for being our kind sponsors of 80 mandarin oranges to be given out to residents!

Here's wishing all a Prosperous Chinese New Year, and see you and the furry ones next month!

Cheers,

Kunshan and Wei Chin

Back to Previous Page

_____________________________________________________________________

Visit on 13 January 2012: Thong Teck Home for Senior Citizens (TTHSC)

Back to Previous Page

_____________________________________________________________________

Visit on 06 January 2012: AWWA Special School for Children (AWWA)

Hi fellow volunteers,

This is the report of our recent visit to AWWA Special School for Children on 6 January 2012.

In attendance

We thank those who gave their precious time. Your presence is much appreciated.

Special thanks to Lynette who made and gave away pretty hair clips to the girls.

First timers

We had two observers join us at the school:

1. Selene Goh

2. Yvonne Lim and Will 

Thank you for coming. We hope to see you and your four legged pal in action very soon.

Notes and highlights

We set up three stations at which specific activities were carried out:

1) Feeding station (Mei Foong and Maggie)

2) Ring transfer station (Jane and Fiona)

3) Grooming station (Jeanne, Maria and Valerie)

It was an afternoon of interaction with our dogs for the kids at the school, with the preset activities for some, and just simple petting or walking for others. Because it is often difficult to communicate with the children, it's a good thing our dogs were there to help bridge the gap. It was heartening to see the children interacting with and agreeing to do things with the dogs.

As it is the beginning of the school year, and there have been many new additions to classes, some teachers were not able to bring their classes down. So there were fewer classes that afternoon. We do hope to see the other children the next time we visit.

With warm regards, 

Valerie

Back to Previous Page

_____________________________________________________________________