We visited West Pines yesterday (read about a previous visit here and the kinds of patients we see) and noticed that most of the staff were wearing green remembrance ribbons attached to their ID badges. When I asked what the occasion was, they said it was Mental Health week. I didn’t find anything online about it (it could have been a hospital campaign although I note it was Mental Health week in the UK from May 16 through May 22).
In any event, Sam was ready to provide his own version of therapy for a number of staff and patients. Here are some of Dogtor Sam’s therapy session notes.
From the moment we walked into the facility, Sam realized there was work to do. Not one to shirk his duties, he began even before our chaperone arrived to take us on our rounds. He strolled over to a visitor sitting in the lobby. She sheepishly asked if she could pet Sam and as soon as the words came out of her mouth, he was standing next to her, tail-a-wagging. She got down on the carpet and looked deeply into his eyes. She bent close to him and whispered something in his ear. His tail wagged even more feverishly and he sat next to her while she began to massage his ears. It was the beginning of many massages for the furry therapist.
Sam saw several people, all of whom genuinely enjoyed seeing him. But his most memorable visit was with “Sarah,” a tall, thin woman with a vacant stare. She politely asked to face him as she sat in a chair and began stroking him gently. He looked deep into her eyes and seemed as if he was completely mesmerized by her gaze. She told me of her own service dog but I’m reluctant to quiz patients about their personal lives (HIPAA plus it’s really not my place to question them). It’s better just to let them share whatever they want. I could tell she was missing her service companion greatly but seemed more than happy to spend time with Sam. A few moments after she sat in front of him, a young bearded fellow came over and sat next to Sam. It seemed too much for her to have someone in such close proximity and she got up and moved to the other side of the day room but keep a watchful eye on her new furry friend. The young man sat and talked to both Sam and I, saying how much he enjoyed dogs and how much they seem drawn to him. Sam was enjoying his presence and after a few minutes sitting on the floor, he decided to get up and move around to loosen up a sore hip. As soon as he left, Sarah returned and sat down cross-legged on the floor in front of him. Sam seemed to realize she needed more of the kind of therapy he can provide and sat patiently with her. Soon he was laying on his side next to her while her fingers returned to massaging him in his favorite spots. A few of the staff commented at how relaxed Sam was and I noticed Sarah seemed more relaxed too. My heart swelled at the thought of this knucklehead making Mental Health Week a little more pleasant for a few peeps in need.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
thanks for sharing informative blog keep up the good work.
Good article about the health. Thanks for sharing information
I absolutely love when you share Sam moments, every single person I have met that is involved in the Therapy Dog environment are so caring and kind. I feel that perhaps we all need this program as much as the people that are on the receiving end. Truly a wonderful bonding of animals and people who truly need them.
I often feel guilty because I’m convinced we get much more from visiting patients and staff than what we give them. 😍
I hear ya!! Molly passed her evaluation to become a therapy dog last Saturday. One of my proudest moments and I can’t wait until we are out there making our visits!!! 🤗🤗 I am so excited to become a member of this organization !!
Congratulations!! That’s pawsome. Can’t wait to hear your stories. Be prepared for some two tissue experiences. 😍
I can’t wait!!! Bring on the tears, I just hope that the happy tears and heart wrenching balance out!! 🙏❤️
They do but there are some days when you’ll be touched in ways you couldn’t possibly imagine.
It’s second nature for Sam. It’s harder on me because I too often think, “but for the grace of God there go I”. Its a amazing article.
Enjoyed reading the blog above, really explains everything in detail, the blog is very interesting and effective. Thank you and good luck for the upcoming blogs.
Hello, I am Dr. Nitesh Khonde expert in Traditional & Modern Ayurveda and panchakarma therapy. I like your article above there are so many ways to prevent, Ayurveda is the natural process for all kind of treatment over Mental Health and other health issues…
Very nice information. keep sharing always. Its very useful for us.
Awesome Work
I really Appreciate your Content
You’re a great Writer
Nice… very informative blog thanks for sharing knowledge with us… Thank You.
Nice… very informative blog thanks for sharing knowledge with us… Thank You. I read it and I feel you write for me I like it very much.
🐬🐬🐬🐬🐬
nice information. very insightful thoughts
Much thanks to you for the benevolent words. This canine has such a skill he fills my heart with such cherishing pride.
Mental health is about being emotionally, cognitively and socially healthy and the way we think, feel and develop relationships and not merely the absence of a mental health condition.
Thanks for sharing this useful information. I really like your post.Amazing information.Very Informative.Great Job.Keep Updating. 🙂
Dogtor Sam you are just what THE Dogtor ordered!!! LadyMew cuud use sum ‘Poochie Therapee’……shee iss down aftur Kissmas day….shee went to THE farm an had a guud time butt shee ended upss at’ angel’ Unkell Siddhartha’ss grave an cried a lot. Poor LadyMew….what do you purr-scribe???
***purrsss*** BellaDharma
Sorry to hear your mum is down. I’ll send special delivery digital tail wags for her and hope she feels better. ❤️
Thanx Sam! Thanx Elsa! Diggytal tail wags werked fore a few dayss!!!
**purrsss** BellaDharma
thanks for very awesome post
Our pleasure. And thank you for swinging by the Ranch; we 💜visitors.
Thanks for shared Sam 🙂
Keep it up and all the best
good article. thanks for sharing this blog. write some dental blogs now a days people are not aware in dental problems.
http://www.senthildentalcare.in/services/root-canal-therapy/
Very good advice and I like the categories, Thank you for the post-searing
V nice and informative article
Nice Article
Thanks for sharing good information about mental health
And thank you for swinging by the Ranch. We 💜 visitors.
Thanks for sharing informative and useful article with us.
Thanks a lot.
Awww…so sweet. There’s nothing quite like gazing into the eyes of a good dog. p.s. love the ID tag!
Great Article….thank you so much !!!
You’re very welcome. And thank you for swinging by the Ranch. We ❤️ visitors.
Nice post you have.
Its great to note that mental health is one of the best ways to keep our body fit.
To take care of the mind is to take care of the body.
We couldn’t agree more. Thank you for swinging by the Ranch. We 💖visitors.
very nice… i really like your blog. Very useful informations. Thx
Thanks for swinging by the “Ranch.” We 💙 visitors.
Thanks, I am certain that Sam makes every week better for so many…………I am certain of it!
Thank you…that’s kind of you to say. I sure hope we are able to make it better for others, even if just for a few moments.
I have a lovely little kitten who is the light of my life. She has been with me through an episode and guides my way xXx
Sam, you are simply awesome. This warmed our hearts. ♥♥♥
Aw shucks, thanks! Blush, blush.
such a special dog Sam is
hugs
Hazel & Mabel
Aw, thanks. I’m kind of biased but totally agree with you.
Good job Sam, I need a mental health day!
Luckily I have time to fit you in. ☺️
Wagnificent work Sam.
💜 nose nudges 💜
Thanks, Olivia!
Sam’s our hero! Love the ID badge too.
I’m sure the hospital doesn’t even know my name but all the dogs have business cards. Go figure.
I’ll take that bet…I am 100% sure you are not only well known but appreciated and treasured for what you and the Furbeast do.
More like “day, aren’t you Sam’s mom?”
I am certain that Sam makes EVERY week better for so many…………I am CERTAIN of it!
Some weeks he isn’t really in it so we keep the session really short. For the record, I’m not up for it every time either. 🙃
Sounds like Sam did good work today and you two were quite the blessing. Way to go!
Sam did great and was very patient, even with some of the more challenging patients.
That story of Sarah enjoying Sam so very much made my heart swell. You definitely did something very good during that visit. It must be so rewarding when you have visits like that one.
I’m always grateful when he can make anyone feel even a little better. I think in Sarah’s case, he did that and then some.
What a great post. Sam is indeed serving a great service for the disabled. This service continues the love of pets and is much needed. I am trying to get peeps to understand how valuable a service this is and the positive impact on those suffering.
Hugs,
Jean
It seems like the general attitude is improving on how pets can help the sick heal. At least that’s what I tell myself.
It is truly a gift. I knew Lexi was here on earth to give joy to others, and I would say the same about Sam.
He is without a doubt one of the sweetest creatures I’ve ever had the pleasure to know. It was a miracle getting him here but boy howdy…what luck!
It is so amazing to know how much a dog, or a cat, can help somebody to relax just being near. Amazing is also how a dogtor knows what to do, what is the best way with different people.
That 6th sense of their’s is always on display…they have an amazing ability to size up a situation and the person.
Awww…so sweet. There’s nothing quite like gazing into the eyes of a good dog. p.s. love the ID tag!
They go with his business cards! LOL
So cute!
It’s just hilarious all the dogs in the program have business cards. I wonder if they even know my name! 😆
Sounds like Sam gets as much from the therapy as the patients although it may be more critical for them. Sam gets love anywhere he goes! 🙂
He definitely does get a lot of therapeutic touch which can help him process any negative energy some patients may have. I like that it’s a full circle, quid pro quo.
Sam, you a a wonderfully compassionate soul. A very special thank you for helping Sarah. <3
It was my pleasure. In her heart, I saw a person who needed some good dogtoring.
Your fur-iend,
Sam🐾
Can I order some of that mental health from Amazon?
Probably, but I’m guessing shipping isn’t covered even with Prime.
Sam, you are such great comfort to so many folks in need! I applaud you, buddy! Keep up the good work! ❤️❤️🐾🐾
Thank you for the kind words. This dog has such a knack-he fills my heart with such loving pride.
❤️💖💗💜
Great job Sam. Your visit was just what the doctor ordered.
It’s second nature for Sam. It’s harder on me because I too often think, “but for the grace of God there go I.”
Dogs know….
Indeed, they surely do. We’d do well to emulate them more.
Great work Sam (and Monika) 🙂
Now Colin…you know Sam does all the work. 😉
Of course! That’s why I just politely made you an “add-on”!
😇
What a gift that Sam has! I hope he got some treats commensurate with his good work upon arriving back at the ranch.
There were loads of treats for Sam, in fact, I let Sarah give him one. They both seemed pleased.
oh I hope you can visit Sarah again soon… it seems you are the one who can make her days a little brighter… We often are helpless when we have to deal with mental issues in our family, so thank you today to all who work to help out at this front and who have a heart and open ears to the problems of patients and their families…
Mental health patients (and those suffering from addiction) have special needs. Sam seems to know what they are and how to brighten their day even if just for a couple of minutes.