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Visiting Animal Team
Animal assisted activities provided by the "Pet Hug Pack"
Studies show interaction with companion animals lowers blood pressure, reduces anxiety and otherwise improves one’s physical and mental health. In addition, research demonstrates many people who are emotionally “closed down” or unresponsive will often open up in remarkable ways when they are petting a cat or dog.
ARF’s Pet Hug Pack teams visit hospitals, rehab centers, schools and adult day care facilities throughout Contra Costa County. Pack pets have been tested to ensure they are well-mannered, healthy and possess good temperament. The teams provide unconditional love to the people they visit. There are proven health benefits to animal interaction which recipients enjoy by petting or holding an animal team member.
Each visit allows time for 30-60 minutes of casual animal interaction.
The Pet Hug Pack began making visits in August 2002. As of November 2008, teams (82 handlers and their 85 qualified pets) make 80 visits each month to 665 facilities in Contra Costa County, California. The team also participates in education and community events at ARF and in the surrounding area.
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Frequently asked questions:
To learn more about animal assisted activities, contact the coordinator at pethugpack@arf.net. |
Read some of the heartwarming stories below contributed by team members. We have stories from Lucy, Kody and Ed, Maggie and Debby and Terra and Heather.
Lucy, Kody and Ed
On my first visit with Evelyn four years ago at Muir Senior Care, I watched as she fell in love. The object of her great affection was Lucy, my ten-year-old, 65-pound Yellow Labrador. Evelyn was in early stages of Parkinson’s and during our visits, she would sit in her chair and crochet with slightly shaky hands as we talked. She showered Lucy with pets and love, which Lucy returned with her beautiful soulful eyes, kisses and insatiably wagging tail.
Over the next two years, Lucy and I visited Evelyn every month and sadly watched a slow, steady decline – from chair, to wheelchair to bed confinement — as the Parkinson’s took more of a hold. Evelyn’s hands now shook so much that she could no longer crochet, but she was always thrilled to see Lucy. While Lucy and I usually spent less than five minutes with most of our patients, we always stayed 20 minutes or more with Evelyn.
Last August, Lucy passed away at age 13. Though devastated by the loss of my best friend, I felt a passionate commitment to our patients and made the decision to continue working in the VAP program. I was blessed that a good friend had a nine-year-old Yellow Labrador named Kody rated to do visits. Kody looked like the male twin of Lucy. On our first visit with Evelyn, she assumed Kody was Lucy, since I hadn’t yet had a chance to tell her about Lucy’s passing. When I told her that Lucy had died, Evelyn’s eyes filled with tears. She took her shaking hands and held mine as we both cried. We shared a special moment and grieved our loss of our best friend Lucy. It was a total reversal of roles as I became the patient and Evelyn became the therapy giver.
Maggie and Debby
I always looked forward to visiting a particular women in a convalescent home in Orinda. She was afflicted with advanced stages of dementia but, nevertheless, retained her beauty and grace in all ways. The empty, unfocused, stare she always expressed was heartbreaking. She was sometimes dressed and sitting in her chair, alongside her caregiver. This was one of those days. I snuggled Maggie up as close as I could to this woman, and got her to lay her head on her lap. What happened next was breathtaking. For the first time, I saw the woman's eyes fix onto a particular object… Maggie's eyes, and with an intensity… a sense of longing. I helped her right hand onto Maggie's left ear, which she held very softly; and then, on her own, reached out to Maggie's right ear with her other hand. For several minutes, she stared brightly into Maggie's eyes, as if memories were possibly re-lit from a comforting part of her life long ago. With this loving intense stare, she was also gently, but firmly massaging Maggie's ears, as if she was attempting to hold onto Maggie, and this experience, forever. This sent chills up my spine, and brought tears to my eyes. I, also, think we could have stayed in that position… in that timeless moment, with her for hours, as it felt like a miracle. Words were not needed. I hope it was a "small miracle" for this lovely woman, as I know she didn't have too much longer on this earth; and I do hope that Maggie gave her a final gift before her departure.
(I had a similar experience with my Mom and Maggie… who was very much a part of her life, and her comfort. My Mom always calmed down and breathed easier when Maggie was with me. She, also, would look at her with longing, but also with comfort.)
Terra and Heather
While Terra and I were visiting the John Muir Hospital oncology wing I saw an elderly man being shaved by a member of the nursing staff. Since he really wanted to visit with the pet group, Terra and I waited until his shave was complete.
Unfortunately he couldn’t move his head to look down at the dogs so I had Terra sit at the end of his bed so he could see her. She then maneuvered closer to him so he could reach over and pet her. Since Terra is a large dog he was able to easily reach her head to pet her lovingly.
Because he couldn’t move his head he chose, instead, to close his eyes and continued petting Terra, smiling happily. The nursing staff remarked that it was the first time they had ever seen the man smile.
