October 2008 Visits

Visit on 25 October 2008 - Bishan Home for the Intellectually Disabled (BHID)

Hi Fellow Volunteers,.

Our team of 13 volunteers spent the happy hour at BHID with their dogs doing what they are good at and the ID residents reciprocating with smiles and warm response.
Thank you all for a meaningful Saturday afternoon.

The hard core teams consist of:

1. Lui Tuck Yew, Soo Fen and daughter Emily with Polar / Samoyed
2. Lok Tin Chan with Bobby / Shih Tzu
3. Helga Kuhl with Hilde / Labrador
4. Evangeline Koh and nephew Harrison with Pepper & Perdi / Shetland Sheepdogs
5. Patricia Koh and son Vincent with Brutus / English Bulldog
6. Ann Wee with Vickie / Maltese
7. Richard Soon with Bubbles / Golden Retriever
8. Charlie & Mabel Ho with Stallion / GSD

On a visit, we can help with a variety of cognitive, communication, physical and speech therapy goals. Asking a group of residents to play memory card game can exercise memory skills. This is a good mental development activity which is being instrumented by Soo Fen and hubby Tuck Yew. Asking the resident to recall the name of the dog and/or encouraging the resident to speak a simple word or converse with our dogs are one way for the resident to strengthen speech and communication skills. I will work on this therapy activity in due course.

Please check out our website for the details of our next visit to TTHSC on Firday, 14th Nov. 2008.

Warmest regards
Charlie Ho

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Visit on 24 October 2008 - MINDSville

A Cheerio to all TDS volunteers,

Apologies with the delayed report - was about to wish you all Happy Deepavali but realised it's already past midnight.

Anyhow, just a short one from me today - it is my pleasure to report that we've had another enjoyable session at MINDSville the past Friday (October 24th), albeit the small group of volunteers and dogs that were there. Nonetheless, the staff and the residents had a wonderful time interacting with our dogs - we concentrated on lots of walking exercises this week due the shortage of resources. The residents always manage to bring a smile to my face, and lots of memories - how could I ever forget that one of the residents spent most of the session trying to verbalise to me that I need to wash my TDS shirt cos there's a stain on it (thanks to the muddy paws of my poochies)! I guess we've achieved some verbalisation and socialisation exercises there. Or one of the newcomers to the group eventually getting the courage to walk Grace and Beatrice, and by the end of the session, would even go up to Stallion and pat him!

I would like to extend my thank-yous to everyone who were there, and a special welcome-back-to-MINDSville to Paola after her sabbatical overseas.

1. Charlie Ho with Stallion / German Shepherd Dog and Silky / Golden Retriever
2. Paola Ng (helping hand with Beatrice)
3. Chenny Tan (helping hand with Silky)

and for the records, myself, Louiza Chan with Grace-Pie and Beatrice-Bear / Spoodles

I know most of our regular Friday Troopers are probably away for the long weekend - we missed you guys! And I hope I will see you all, and other volunteers, on one of our visits someday. 4 dogs and 4 volunteers are rather lonely!

Please be reminded that the coming Friday is the 5th Friday of the month and hence there will be no visits. The next weekday visit would be on November 7th to AWWA - please stay tuned for further details.

Toodles for now,

Louiza, Grace and Beatrice.xx

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Visit on 19 October 2008 - Ward 66A Institute of Mental Health (IMH) 

Hi everyone
Many thanks to those who responded to my call for more big-hearted volunteers to visit our friends at IMH. We had a very respectable turnout of 10 dogs & 15 volunteers -- an A* team that did wonders for the patients!

We were pleased to welcome Usha, who brought Cookie for her very first visit. Both did extremely well in interacting with the patients -- thank you! Unfortunately Balaji (Usha's Hubby) had to stay downstairs with Chikkie, who has yet to be tested. Thank you for your understanding and abiding by the "rules", Balaji. I am sure Chikkie will be ready soon to join the team! We also welcomed observers Angela Wong and daughter Jackie.

As usual, we were warmly welcomed by the patients, who were all ready to hug, pat and interact with the dogs. The patients had a small treat of olive rice, lovingly cooked by one of us. Unfortunately we ran out and couldn't give second helpings to many who clamoured for more.
We had a big crowd wanting to walk the dogs along the walkway. It was very pleasant as the rain had cooled the air, and we had a good time interacting with the patients along the way. Thank you all, for making the effort to get to know the patients and giving them the opportunity to socialise.


For the record, our A* team comprised:

1. Charlie and Mabel Ho with Stallion/GSD
2. Tricia Tan with Freo/Silky Terrier
3. Doris Boo with Bambi/Silky Terrier
4. Richard and Beatrice Soon, with Bubbles/Golden Retriever and Shorty/JRT
5. Brian Tan and mum Pauline with Sunny/Goldern Retriever
6. Bian Yu Wei and Ivan Ng with Rafa/Schnauzer
7. Shum Chin Yang with McMug/JRT
8. Usha with Cookie/Shih Tzu
9. Elaine Lui, sister Emily Lui and Mum Soo Fen with Polar/Samoyed


The visit helped me put into perspective the upcoming week; I hope it helped you start the week right too. Thank you again, just remember you all made a difference that day -- one dog, one volunteer, to one patient at a time :)


cheers
Soo Fen

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Visit on 17 October 2008 - Sunshine Welfare Action Mission Home (SWAMI)

Hello to all TDS volunteers,

Hmm, felt like I haven't done one of these for a while due to work, travelling and what-nots. But none-the-less, here I am,back to haunt you all once again.

The Friday Troopers made their trek to SWAMI home in Sembawang to work our magic - it was lovely to see the old faces with all the enthusiasm in the world waiting to pat and walk our dogs, and of course, the new faces that never cease to amaze me how much they open up once they've warmed up to our presence. Of course, I cannot forget to mention the fervor that Rex and his staff show and the big smiles they give us when we arrive.

As usual, we brightened up the patients day by doing walking exercises and dumbell throwing exercises with them. They also gave many of our smaller dogs cuddles in their wheelchairs and gave some of them a good grooming session. Stallion worked his charms by doing some obedience demonstration. It was most encouraging to see how much some of the patients have improved with us trying to put in our little 2-cents-worth, and yet sad to see how much the patients could deteriorate if they didn't get to do as much as they should. So come on guys, 'sacrifice' a tiny bit of your time in your week and come join us in one of the many visits we have organised, be it on the weekday or on the weekend - every little bit counts!

Last but not least, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to my Friday Troopers:

1) Charlie Ho and granddaugher Sarah with Stallion / German Shepherd Dog
2) Melinda Ann Michael with Chewbacca / Catalan Sheepdog and Cleo / Long hair Miniature Dachshund
3) Judy Blyth with Cara and Lily / Miniature Schnauzers
4) Alicia Isreal and helper with Diva and Magic / Labrador Retrievers
5) Paola Ng, my trusty sidekick to help me handle Beatrice and Grace
and myself, Louiza Chan with Grace-Pie and Beatrice-Bear / Spoodles

The next Friday visit will be to MINDSville, the reminder has been sent out on a different email.

Looking forward to seeing some of you there!

Till next time,

Louiza, Grace and Beatrice.xx

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Visit on 11 October 2008- Bethany Methodist Nursing Home (BMNH)

Dear fellow TDS-ians,

We had cosy group at Bethany today because of the wonky weather.
Many, many thanks to the following volunteers who showed up nonetheless and worked extra extra hard:

1. Patricia Koh and son Vincent with Brutus/British Bulldog
2. Judy Wong and mum-in-law with Joey/Golden Retriever
3. Carmel Haley and daughter Shayna with Zeus/Great Dane

But in spite the small group, we were still able to drum up loads of excitement for a memorable, laughter-filled and heart-warming Saturday afternoon. As always, the ever-so- jovial and loving Brutus did his rounds on a borrowed wheelchair in inimitable style, much to the delight of the Aunties and Uncles. Joey did just perfect although it was her first time at a TDS PAT visit, stealing everyone’s hearts with her serene and sweet temperament. And awesome Zeus just wowed everyone with his marvellous character and adorable antics!

We were also blessed to have many wonderful helping hands today to chit chat with the Aunties and Uncles today.
These included soon-to-be TDS volunteers who came to observe the session:

1. Jacqueline (owner of Lena/Pomeranian)
2. Lena and sister Judy (owners of Sammi/Chihuahua)
3. Tze Mien, Thian Nan and daughter Zu’er (owners of Mango/Golden Retriever)
[We look forward to having all of you on board the TDS team really soon!]

4. Fantastic and faithful helping hands at Bethany: Sigi, Sian Yee, Orchid and Eileen; and
5. The energetic and zesty students from Pioneer Junior College: June, Geraldine, Jasmine, Hui Min, Ryan, Shaoquan and Chor Chuan

Tons of thanks to all of you for the commitment and support for the work we do!

Our next visit to Bethany on 8 November 2008 (3pm to 4pm) will be extra special because we’d be having a party to celebrate our 2nd Anniversary as partners! A reminder will be sent around to everyone nearer the date with the details but it’d be great if you could pencil this date down in your schedules first and please do join us if you’re able to as there will be games (that will involve the Aunties and Uncles, all of us and our dogs!) and loads of fun-filled fellowship as always!

Till the next visit to Bethany, do check out www.tdspore.org for information on the upcoming visits to our other adopted homes.

Take care and see you all soon!

Sincerely,
Pearly

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Visit on 10 October 2008- Thong Teck Home for Senior Citizens (TTHSC)

Dear Fellow Volunteers,

We had a much smaller team of volunteers to TTHSC. Our dog-loving aunties and uncles were quite disappointment in not seeing their favouriter PAT dogs. I hope our regular weekday volunteers will not be kept away from TTHSC visit next month by work or vacation.

Many thanks to the following seasoned helping hand and healing paw teams for their wonderful work with the senior citizens who had a great time patting and hugging our canines as well as feeding them with treats.

1. Louiza Chan with Grace and Beatrice / Spoodle
2. Judy Blyth with Cara and Lily / Mini Schnauzer
3. Charlie Ho with Stallion / GSD
4. Paola Ng - Helping Hand - who helped to handle Beatrice
5. Chenny Tan - Helping Hand - who helped to handle Lily

Wasn't it all worth it seeing most of the faces that brighten up as we moved around. Our monthly PAT session has always been a good time to encourage residents to communicate and to provide great company and companionship.

A warm welcome to Lille Tien who came and observed our activities. We look forward to seeing Lille and her dog Ollie in action soon as she plans to bring Ollie for the temperament assessment by end of this month.

Do join us for our upcoming Friday visit to SWAMI Home ( 17th Oct) and weekend visit to IMH (19th Oct). Please check out our website for the details.

Warmest regards
Charlie Ho

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Visit on 3 October 2008 - Asian Women's Welfare Association Special School for Children (AWWA)

Hi everyone

Many thanks to all the volunteers who made time for our little buddies at AWWA, today Friday 3rd Oct.

We were glad to welcome new volunteers Carmel and Shana with Zeus. Everyone was in awe with Zeus. He is so well behaved for a big guy and handsome too.

After the long break you can see that some of the kids were very excited to see us and some had forgoten us and the dogs.Nevertheless, eventually we all had a great time. They just needed a little time to warm up.

The volunteers who made a difference in the childrens life today were-

1. William and Yvonne with Enormous/Nano (mini daschunds)
2. Alicia with Diva and Magic (Labrador Retriever)
3. Melinda and Shane with Chewy( Catalan Sheepdog) and Cleo (Long haired Daschund)
4. Carmel and Shana with Zeus ( Great Dane)
5. Louiza with Grace and Beatrice ( Spoodles)
6. Charlie Ho with Silky Golden Retriever & Stallion / GSD
7. Cenny Tan- a wonderful Helping Hand :-)
8. Poala -helping hand( welcome back we missed you!!!) ;-
   

Achievements for today are-

Cognitive / Communication / Socialisation Therapy
- encourage the children to remember the names of the dogs, talk about themselves .
- provide stimulation, conversation and companionship.
-asked them to name the body parts of the dogs

Motor / Physical / Sensory Therapy
- encourage therapy exercise by walking with the dog, throwing ball.
- encouraged the children to feed the dogs by helping them to open their palms( most of these children have clenched fists)

Though it was a little bit chaotic at the beginning but in the end we all had lots of fun :-)

To our regular volunteers who missed today's session hope you feel better and see you all next Friday.


Next Friday's visit will take place at Thong Teck Home for Senior Citizen. We need YOUR support to make a difference to the
patients / residents. Please check the website www.tdspore.org for details


A MILLION THANKS AND BLESSINGS TO OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS!!!

Have a great week

Melinda
 

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