Hi, fellow volunteers,

We had a "full house" fantastic turn-out of ID residents ... wonderful hosts who always welcome us with big smiles, joy and handshakes. But, we had only 7 canine volunteers and 8 human volunteers excluding a visitor and two observers. What happen to our regular volunteers to BHID? In fact, some of the ID residents asked this question as they could not fully remember the name of the volunteers (human & canine) but they could explain to me the colour of the dog's fur and "shape/size" of the dog. Well, their memory skills have improved ..... thanks to Soo Fen and Tuck Yew for introducing and faithfully carrying out the memory card game.

Last week, I had a long conversation with a potential volunteer who wanted to register her show dog with high level of obedience skills with TDS and specifically wanting to visit BHID. I was excited about it ... whao! ... we will have a great dog joining our PAT team. I was disappointed when she told me that she could not meet our expectations of the human volunteer as stated in our web page. She agreed with me about the commitment as a human volunteer, as even the best dog will not be able to do PAT works if not brought by human volunteer to the homes. My heartfelt thanks to the following volunteers who brought their dogs to BHID despite busy works and family lives, continue to do this faithfully.

Fiona Yeo with JJ & Mei Mei / JKR
Jasmine Chua and friend with Tristan / Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Lok Tin Chan & hubby Steven with Bobby / Shih Tzu
Elaine Lui and mum Soo Fen with Polar / Samoyed
Samantha Yue with Yakuza / Shih Tzu
Charlie Ho with Stallion / GSD

We welcome first timer, Jasmine Chua and her partner Tristan / CKCS to BHID. They are indeed a seasoned PAT volunteer who interacted very well with the ID residents. I hope to see them again and again in this home and others.

A warm welcome also to Serene Huang and hubby Calvin who came as an observer. I understand she will bring her dog, Jappy / Shih Tzu, for the temperament assessment this month. We shall look forward to seeing them in action soon.

Our achievements for the day were:

Cognitive / Communication / Socialisation Therapy
- encourage residents to call and remember the names of the dogs.
- stimulate conversation

Motor / Physical / Sensory Therapy
- walking exercise with therapy dogs
- encourage residents to stroke and touch the dogs

I hope to see more warm hearts, helping hands and healing paws on our next visit.

Have a nice and blessed week ahead.

Warmest regards,
Charlie Ho

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Visit on 23 October 2009 - MINDSville

Dear All,

It was with great delight that we trooped down to MindSville on Friday afternoon to see our friends. It was with greater delight to have Francis, Evelyn & Cash back to join our Friday "pack" again after their absence due to family commitments.

It's definitely good to know Cash hasn't forgotten us as he still barks at Magic just like he did in the good old days;-)

Due to the unavailability of the Multi purpose hall, we conducted our session in one of the classroom instead.

As we were entering the room, the excitement & affections of these residents were evidently displayed-Clapping, cheering & laughing solely to welcome us!!!

The moment we were in the room, the activities begin like clockwork. These residents were so comfortable with our volunteers & the dogs that they knew exactly what to do.

Lots of walking were done at the garden/playground outside the classroom. For residents who prefer not to walk, they were having fun giving simple commands to our K9 volunteers & rewarding them with yummy treats thereafter.

We were glad to have some of the NDTC trainees who came to join our session. Although some of them were afraid & uncomfortable with our dogs, our devoted volunteers were so kind & patient showing them how to handle the dogs & asking the dogs to perform tricks to help soothe the fear of these trainees. Special thanks to Corrine with Flapper & Maggie, Radha with Diva for your effort.

A little comedy unfolded when one of the resident, Beng Chuan came to ask me for a treat to give to the dog. Thinking that she is going to command Magic to sit as she has been doing that for awhile without rewarding Magic with treats.

I gave her the treat she asked for, instead of giving it to Magic, Beng Chuan stood up & walked towards Cash & gave him the treat!! Being curious as to why she did that, I asked her & she pointed at her pants then to Cash & said" same color."

I teased & pointed to her hair & said "this also same color as Magic, you asked me for a treat & gave it to Cash but not my dog?" That made her & everyone around us burst out laughing!!!

Before the end of the session, most of us were dripping with sweat. I am not sure if its the weather or the affections of our friends that caused us to perspire.

Although it was worthwhile, hopefully we will be back to the multi purpose hall for our visits as I do miss the cool air conditioning hall after working up all that sweat!!!

A big round of applause to the following volunteers & their K9 buddies for their appearance to help make this visit a successful one:

-Charlie Ho with Stallion(GSD) & Silky(Golden Retriever)
-Helen Lea with Rosie(Labrador Retriever)
-Corrine Choo with Flapper(Labrador Retriever),Pica(Shih Tzu) & Maggie(Miniature Pinscher)
-Jelyn Kho with Fluffy(Shih Tzu)
-Francis & Evelyn Yip with Cash(Corgi)
-Alicia Israel with Magic(Labrador Retriever) & Diva(Labrador Retriever)
-Radha, our much needed helping hand who kindly helped handle Diva for me.

There will be NO PAT visit next Friday. Do check our website for the next visit. Till next time, enjoy life.

Cheerio,
Alicia, Magic & Diva

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Visit on 18 October 2009 - Ward 66A Institute of Mental Health (IMH) 

Dear Fellow Volunteers,

Thanks to all those who came on the 18th October with their dogs as they'd brought with them laughter and joy to the ladies in IMH Ward 66. The volunteer who turned up were:

1. Amanda Richardson with Tixi (GSD)
2. Charlie with Stallion (GSD) and Silky (Golden Retriever)
3. Janice Ho and Sharon with Zechy (Labrador)
4. Soo Fen with Polar (Samoyed)
5. Lishan and father, Shum Chin Yang with McMug (JRT)
6. Janice Gan with Prince (Golden Retriever)
7. Lee Say Hoon (human volunteer)

The residents played with the doggy memory cards which helps to enhance their memory. Some of them were encouraged to throw toys for the dog to catch and this physical activity although not providing a lot of work out for the body, but still a good form of entertainment for the residents :)

Last but not least, interactions with our volunteers and their doggy companions had brought comfort and enjoyment to many of the residents, promoting their emotional well being. It's especially nice to see one of the residents who was afraid of dogs initially, open up to our dogs. And not to forget, one of them residents also sang for Janice and Sharon :) Well done everyone!

Let's look forward to our next visit and have a great week ahead :)

Best Regards,
Lishan
 

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Visit on 16 October 2009 - Sunshine Welfare Action Mission Home (SWAMI)

Hi, fellow volunteers,

I would like to thank the following volunteers for giving up the precious Friday afternoon to share their therapy dogs with SWAMI Home dementia residents.

Alicia Isreal with Diva & Magic / Labrador Retriever
Melinda Ann Michael with Chewy / Catacan Sheepdog & Cleo Dachshund
Jelyn Kho with Fluffy / Shih Tzu
Radhir Nanesh - Helping Hand
Mabel Ho with Silky / Golden Retriever
Charlie Ho with Stallion / GSD

We focused very much on walking exercise including touching and petting the dogs. It was a very hot and humid afternoon and no humans nor dogs wanted to do more than 2 walking exercise per resident..... a great work out ..... better than going to the gym! We also had a good time communicate and talk about the good old days with the elderly residents. The challenge is to ease some of them out of social isolation or shyness.

School holidays are just around the corner, I hope to see more volunteers who can make an effort to come and join the PAT team to bring joy, happiness and companionship to the dementia patients. Your presence is required as you can certainly make a difference in their lives.

Have a nice and blessed week ahead.

Warmest regards,

Charlie Ho

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