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March 2011 Visits
Visit on 26 March 2011 - Bishan Home for the Intellectually Disabled (BHID)
Hi, Fellow Volunteers,
I thought I was very late to BHID on that day. In fact, Mabel & I arrived there at 2:15PM – very early! I failed to read my wall clock properly before I left the house! The blessed mistake allowed us to provide an additional PAT session with a couple of the residents at the canteen area.
We had a good team of human and canine volunteers who came with a common mission, a wonderful hour of interaction .... friendly conversation, stroking, petting & feeding the dogs, and walking a dog, were the achievements in seeing their smiling face. Jigsaw puzzle is a popular therapeutic activity. The residents eagerly gave it their best shot in completing the puzzle at a shorter time. Once again, many thanks to Soo Fen who instrumented this activity faithfully and carried out this mental development exercise with different puzzle monthly. I borrowed a few small & simple jigsaw puzzle from my grand-daughter ... the puzzles with simple adding the numbers ... whao! they learned fast ... they felt a sense of achievement when they could complete the puzzle fast and adding the numbers “right”. Stallion congratulated them with a ‘bark’.
Heartfelt thanks to the following helping hands and healing paws:
- Jelyn Kho with Fluffy / Shih Tzu
- Ivan Ho with Mocha / Shis Tzu
- Jennifer Yang with Rudoff / Mini Schnauzer
- Lok Tin Chan with Bobby / Shis Tzu
- Samantha Yue with Zakuza Shih Tzu
- Shirley Yew with Happy / Maltese
- Sharin Lim with Dexter / Husky X Tibetan Mastiff
- Soo Fen Teng – Helping Hand
- Mabel Ho with Silky / Golden Retriever
- Charlie Ho with Stallion / GSD
A warm welcome to Daniel Floerke who came to observe our PAT session. Looking forward to having Daniel & his dog, Hugo/Labrador Retriever, to join our team when Hugo has passed the temperament assessment end of the month.
Please take note that our next weekday visit is to TTHSC on 8th April and weekend visit is to BMNH on 9th April 2011.
Have a happy and blessed week ahead.
Warmest regards
Charlie Ho
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Visit on 25 March 2011 - MINDSville
Hi Volunteers,
On a hot sunny Friday afternoon, TDS friday regular volunteers were in full force at MindSville doing what we do best- bringing cheers to our friends.
This time the therapy took place at one of the classroom on the first floor instead of the usual air conditioned & spacious multi purpose hall. I was told by the OT in charge, Ms Sri that preparation work are being carried out at the multi purpose hall for their annual staff appreciation award. Nonetheless, the warm fuzzy welcome in a smaller classroom is still evident when our friends saw us walking in with our dogs in tow.
It has somehow become a tradition now that these friends of ours will step forward & take over the leash from our volunteers & all ready for their walk. It was a nice change(although it is blazing hot!!) to be walking around the nicely landscaped garden & the wide spacious corridor. It is most rewarding to see huge improvement in most of our friends, Malathi- the young girl from NTDC is especially worth a mention. She had only participated in this dog therapy session the second time today & she's so comfortable with our dogs now!!!
I remembered her frighten look last month & what a positive change today. She is so eager to pat our dogs & bringing them for a walk, such a joy to see!!!
So much was going on during this hour visit, we generated so much fun( and sweat). Before we knew it, it was time to go. After loads of affectionate good bye kisses from Mallika & Lee Moi, we bid our good byes to our friends ---with a promise that WE WILL BE BACK!!!
A heartfelt thanks to the cheerful staffs at MindSville, you've made this visit enjoyable because of your helpfulness. A special thanks to these TDS volunteers for making their presence felt & making someone's day a little brighter because you care & you share...
-Ang Lay Hui with Hayden(KCS)
-Chrissie Burdetts & husband, Wayne with Raffles(Cavoodle)
-Charlie Ho with Stallion(GSD)
-Fiona Seow with Reegan(Golden Retriever)
-Gwen Wong with Chou Chou(Chow Chow)
-Mabel Ho with Silky(Golden Retriever)
-Alicia Israel with Magic (Labrador Retriever) & Diva(Labrador Retriever)
Till next time, remember to spread some love to all around you...
Cheerio,
Alicia, Magic & Diva
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Visit on 20 March 2011 - Ward 66A Institute of Mental Health (IMH)
-- March Visit - Cancelled --
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Visit on 18 March 2011 - Sunshine Welfare Action Mission Home (SWAMI)
Dear Fellow PAT volunteers,
We were greeted with glorious sunshine when we arrived at SWAMI. The residents welcomed us with warm smiles along with some students from Pasir Panjang Secondary school who were present. Cameras were quickly whipped out and our PAT dogs became models for the students' enthusiastic photo taking session. All the extra attention didn't distract our volunteers and their dogs from what they came to do - to bring laughter and joy to the residents.
It was a warm afternoon, most of the residents were reluctant to go for their usual walk with the dogs, only Alicia could persuade some of them to walk with Magic and her. Stallion was again called up to perform his party tricks which range from barking on command to fetching his favourite dumbbell when Charlie threw it for him. The others went around talking to the residents and they were very happy to stroke and feed the dogs treats. All in all, everyone had a fulfilling afternoon at SWAMI.
A big thank you to all those volunteers and their dogs that gave up their time to spend it with residents:
1. Charlie Ho with Stallion/German Shepherd
2. Mabel Ho with Silky/Golden Retriever
3. Fiona Seow with Reegan/Golden Retriever
4. Gwen Wong with Chou Chou/Chow Chow
5. Julie Yeow with Nana/White Swiss Shepherd
6. Alicia Israel with Diva & Magic/Labrador Retrievers
Thanks for all your support. Please continue with your good work and I hope to see more of you next month.
I leave you with this wonderful quote:
"Never underestimate what a simple gesture can do.
It is the little things that you do that make a big difference in other's lives."
Catherine Pulsifer
Best Regards,
Fiona Seow
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Visit on 12 March 2011- Bethany Methodist Nursing Home (BMNH)
Hi everyone
Our visit on 12 March saw TDS volunteers, both canine and human, do what they do best -- interacting with the residents like old pals and good companions. As always, the socialisation and physical therapy energised the residents. I believe our presence accomplished more than we believed possible, giving the residents a sense of self-worth and dignity, because we considered them important enough for us to spend our Saturday afternoon with them. We also had Colin and Yvonne join us for an observation session -- we look forward to having them on board TDS soon.
Many thanks to the following faithful volunteers who made time to bring laughter, cheer and companionship to Bethany residents:
1. Charlie Ho with Stallion/GSD
2. Mabel Ho with Silky/Golden Retriever
3. Lay Hui with Hayden/CKCS
4. Patricia Koh with Brutus/English Bulldog
5. Nanthini with Ram/Shetland Sheepdog
6. Weiqin, human volunteer
7. Elaine and Emily Lui with mum Soo Fen, human volunteers
Unfortunately Michelle and Yaki missed the session due to miscommunication over her transport arrangement with the taxi company. We also missed Christina and Brinkley as Christina was overseas. We missed them sorely and hope they will join us again soon.
Once again, my heartfelt thanks to all volunteers. YOU made a difference that day!
cheers
Soo Fen
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Visit on 11 March 2011 - Thong Teck Home for Senior Citizens (TTHSC)
Hi, Fellow Volunteers,
We had a small team and a strong support from a group of TDS's volunteers.
Thank you. We were as usual greeted with laughter and cheers from our senior
citizens who were so eager to pet the dogs.
We had an observer, Ray Sham Karam Singh, who has shown great interest in
our PAT activities. I believe he will bring his dog Cadbury/Toy Poodle to
our assessor for temperament assessment. I hope he and his dog will join our
team in the next month visit.
My heartfelt thanks to the following volunteers and therapy dogs that came
to bring joy and unconditional love to the residents:
1. Mabel Ho with Silky / Golden Retriever
2. Charlie Ho with Stallion / GSD
3. Alicia Israel with Diva & Magic/ Labrador Retriever
4. Ang Lay Hui with Hayden/ CKCS
5. Valerie Gan with Sable/Sheltie
6. Doris Chang - Helping Hand
7. Julie Yeow with Nana / White Swiss Shepherd
Your support in making the visit a wonderful day is greatly appreciated.
Please keep up the good work and I hope to see more of you at the next
visit.
Best Regards
Lay Hui
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Visit on 4 March 2011 - Asian Women's Welfare Association Special School for Children (AWWA)
-- March Visit - Cancelled --
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