Today Flynn and I went on our first solo therapy dog visit to a Assisted Living facility that cares for folks with dementia.

The sole purpose of todays visit was to meet the Director of Rehabilitation, provide all the credentials of Flynn's registration with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and make him officially allowed to come onsite and interact with staff, family and patients. Picture if you will, a job interview for a dog! He passed with flying colors...

We made fast friends with the staff and we were invited for an initial visit with about 15 residents. We were introduced to the group and basically just hung out while the patients petted, talked and reminisced of dogs gone by. Over in the corner, was a gentleman who was removed from the group with a stone like look on his face. I diid not know this at the time, but he is non verbal, does not speak- at all, or show any signs of communicating with his family, visitors or staff. I walked Flynn over for a meet and greet and he began to pet him then asked me his name-"Flynn", I said before launching into a dialog of good Irish dog names and engaged in chit chat for a few minutes while Flynn just sat and soaked up the attention from this resident. Flynn loved this guy. I happened to look up to see a number of staff members teary eyed at the nurses station looking at us. Flynn and I took our leave and as we headed out we were informed that the staff had never seen him talk or interact with anyone in his time there. Humbled-

While I have only done training and some observations with a therapy dog, and now have one visit under our collar I feel as if we are gaining more than the folks we're visiting. I won't sugar coat it and say that every visit is pleasant being in a medical facility. Seeing people there is sad but I come away knowing Flynn brought a bit of happiness to their day. We'll be back to see that guy sometime next week- that is a promise.