Hi, fellow volunteers,
The afternoon heavy down pour did not dampen the high spirit of our volunteers, as we had a tremendous turn-out of volunteers who came with friends and family. We had a great fun time celebrating the joy of Christmas on boxing day with the residents at BHID. Santa Claus Shing Tai and his Rheindog Snowball / Pyrenean Mountain Dog, pulled the wagon filled with goodie bags, brought in more cheers, handshakes and hugs.
A Big Thank U to the following volunteers who came to share the joyous season with the residents (in alphahabetical order):
Ang Lay Hui with Hayden / Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Balaji KG - Helping Hand
Beautrice Wong with Skippy / Silky Terrier
Chan Chee Wah with Prue / GSD
Charlie Ho with Stallion / GSD
Doris Chang & Sherman - Helping Hand
Denise Ting and mum with Saber & Camie / Pomeranian
Emily Lui and mum Soo Fen & dad Tuck Yew with Polar / Samoyed
Fiona Yeo with Mei Mei & JJ / JKR
Janice Ho, Sharon & Gillian with Zechy / Labrador
John Chua with Micky / Maltese
Kunshan / Helping Hand
Kabir Singh with Gaja / GSD
Loh Wei Chin - Helping Hand
Lee Say Hoon / Helping Hand
Lok Tin Chan & Hubby Steven with Bobby / Shih Tzu
Mak Mun San & Jane Oh with Flash / English Springer Spaniel
Marjory Yeoh and hubby Shing Tai with Snowball / Pyrenean Mountain Dog
Mabel Ho with Silky / Golden Retriever
Yolanda Chin with Chewbacca
Yvonne, Nick and Terina - Helping Hand
My most heartfelt thanks to:
Stanley Wong, Director, New Zealand Natural, who graciously sponsored 100 cups of delicious ice-cream for the 3rd year.
GSDC sponsored the 100 bags of snacks
Lui family created the design and sponsored of the 100 TDS Christmas Doggie card
Mabel and grand-daughter Sarah shopped for the snacks and packed them.
Leung Shing Tai, our Santa Claus and his Rheindog Snowball
Kunshan Goh & Loh Wei Chin who took charge of carolling.
David (Fiona's friend) and Balaji, our photographers, captured the special moments
All others who brought extra snacks and made the visit a joyous and memorable one
The residents were delighted to see us back with Santa Claus and Rheindog. All they want for Christmas ....... your presence, sweet smile, ice-cream and snacks. Truely appreciate the christmas gift you have had given to them.
May I quote :
"If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful ...... you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not".
"If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder .... you are blessed because you can offer healing touch".
I am in the process of editing the video clips and to add in the images, when they are ready from David and Balaji. The DVD covers the moments of joy and fun filled with lots of laughter, smiles, happiness, dancing, singing and the joy of being to-gether in one big family ... you'r on candid camera!
The year 2010 shall be an exciting and challenging year for TDS. We plan to have more PAT activities in our programme. Details of the programme will be furnished at the later date.
Wishing you all a Happy New Year 2010
Warmest regards
Charlie Ho
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Visit on 25 December 2009 - MINDSville
-- December Visit Cancelled --
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Visit on 20 December 2009 - Ward 66A Institute of Mental Health (IMH)
Dear Fellow Volunteers,
Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year break!
I'm here again to update everyone on what we did on 20th December 2009! Our last visit to IMH of the year 2009!
First of all, I must thanks Janice Ho, Sharon and their friend Gilian for bringing delicious goodies to share with the residents of Ward 66. And I also bought a log cake to celebrate the festive season. haha.
Nonetheless, what is TDS visit without dogs right? I think the residents had their share of fun playing with the dogs, making them do tricks, walking them around the room and even just stroking them and chatting with our volunteers. Through all these activities it help bring some changes to their daily routined life, and give them something to look forward to each month. Walking the dogs and throwing dumb bell for them to catch provided some opportunities for a few of the residents to have some simple exercises. Stroking the dogs helps them to relax and for a lot of them it helped them emotionally.
Oh, and I remembered one of the residents sang some christmas songs for us as well!
It's a afternoon well spent with fun, joy and laughter.
A BIG Thank you to the volunteers and their doggies listed below. And thank you to our dear observers who helped us out a lot during this visit!
1. Marjory Yeoh and Leung Shing Tai with Snowball (Pyrenean Mountain Dog)
2. Charlie with Stallion (GSD)
3. Janice Ho, Sharon and Gilian with Zechy (Labrador)
4. Beatrice with Skippy (Silky Terrier)
5. Lishan and father, Shum Chin Yang with McMug (JRT)
6. Elaine and Heng You (I hope I didn't get the name wrong. So sorry about that) (Observers)
7. Alicia (Psychology student as observer)
Oh, btw, IMH had presented us a certificate of appreciation for our volunteering work during the Volunteer Day held earlier this December.
Once again. THANK YOU everyone. We really appreciate your time, effort and every other things you do for these people. Help me give a nice big pat on your doggies to thank them too :D
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! Hope we'll continue to bring fun and laughter to these group of ladies in the year 2010!
Best Regards,
Lishan
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Visit on 18 December 2009 - Sunshine Welfare Action Mission Home (SWAMI)
Hi, fellow volunteers,
I thought Mabel & I were the only one that could made the visit as our regular volunteers were away on holidays while some were kept away by family and by work. We were blessed to have Lilian and Ollix back in action.
Presence were:
Lilian Quek with Ollix / JRT
Mabel Ho with Silky / Golden Retriever
Charlie Ho with Stallion / GSD
We did not go to the dementia ward as the residents were celebrating the festive season with their immediate family and friends. We did the PAT session at level 1 with quite a large number of elderly residents who like dogs and interact very well with us. As usual, we encourage communication and socialisation including walking exercise with the dog. We had a good time with the residents especially those residents who were with us for the first time. Stallion the K9 clown did his usual tricks and obedience skills to entertain the delighted elderly residents. In return, he earned yummy treats plus lots of pats and massages from them.
If you are in town, please do join us for some fun and feasting with the ID residents of BHID on this Saturday.
Wishing you and family a holy happy Christmas.
Warmest regards
Charlie Ho
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Visit on 12 December 2009- Bethany Methodist Nursing Home (BMNH)
-- Report in progress --
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Visit on 11 December 2009 - Thong Teck Home for Senior Citizens (TTHSC)
Hi, fellow volunteers,
Another month of extra small team that made the visit to TTHSC ... 3 volunters and 3 dogs and one helping hand were:
Denise Ting with Saber / Pomeranian
Doris Chang - Helping Hand
Mabel Ho with Silky / Golden Retriever
Charlie Ho with Stallion / GSD
My heartfelt thanks to our regular volunteers for your wonderful hour of joy and laughter with the residents.
Many residents kept asking us where are the rest of familiar dogs.... gladly to say they accepted our explanation. We slowly made our rounds among them ... several times over as we made sure that no one who wanted our dogs was left out. Rain or shine .... one or two volunteers ... we will continue to provide PAT works to those most in need and to share our dog's unconditional love and companionship with the less fortunate.
I hope to see more of our regular volunteers and new volunteers in action next year.
Wishing you and your family many joyful moments in the year ahead.
Warmest regards
Charlie Ho
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Visit on 4 December 2009 - Asian Women's Welfare Association Special School for Children (AWWA)
-- December Visit Cancelled --
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