Yesterday at OPICA

Good morning fans!
Yesterday I was at O.P.I.C.A....can't remember what it all stands for but it is a day care for adults with dementia and a wonderful organization. Basically it is "Optimistic People in Caring Activities"...and helps dementia patients
have a great place to be and give relief to spouses and people that are caring for them at home.
They are in many stages and for the most part, many are clear but some in a mind fog and can't remember all that we say or that they do. Being a therapy dog, I'm here to support them, give them a focus of attention and also
through my animal warmth I communicate to them on a much deeper sensory level than a human being can!

One example is that these people may forget my owner, Ilisa's name but always remember my name Rocky! They ask for me, they love me and they respond to me. Of course, I must give mommy some of the credit as she looks them in the eyes and through her love and warmth kindly asks them if they like dogs. When they respond "yes" then and only then will she bring me towards them, or put me on their laps to pet me. That is it! My favorite part. Once, a lady was laying on the couch in more of a fetal position and fast asleep. I decided to quietly leap on the couch and nuzzled my strong little muscular bull dog body right next to her. I was basically trying to "spoon" her and the whole organization smiled and the lady felt my warmth and from then on in we were "best friends". We did a great program a couple months ago. I was in the TV Show Dog Tales a couple years ago, so mommy brought the DVD and did a 45 minute program where around 30 patients watched us "on stage" and she talked about dogs, how to take care of French Bull Dogs and began having an interactive session with them to get them to talk. She asked about remembering their dogs, the names of their dogs and some fun memories. Many of them raised their hands. Then she showed them my silly tricks and asked 5 of them to participate and taught them how to teach me a "trick". They gave me treats which I loved and then she gave them as a "prize" the newspaper articles (the whole newspaper) of me in the paper talking about my life and showing a cute picture! They all loved it. I must remember next time to get mommy to bring her camera to take photos of them with me and let them take it home. We then watched me on TV for 1/2 hour and it was a hit program. For all you owners that are "on the edge" of making your dogs a therapy dog, at least go through the training as it is good discipline for all animals to do canine good citizenship and the further training to show how to react in hospital and patient settings as many times they do things "suddenly" and the dogs must be able to be calm and not be quick to anger. In other words, some patients may jostle me about too hard, pet me the wrong way by grabbing me too much or holding my ears, etc. I cannot be impatient or angry. For me, being a French Bull Dog it comes natural to be a "lap dog" and the more attention the better. I don't ever take offense. And the best part, Frenchies don't truly have a tail. We look more like a cute little pig like in Charlottes Web...so the people can't "pull my tail" or taunt me!! Anyways, we are bonding more and more with these people and the shift in their personalities is evident! At first it was a bit dull being there as they were highly unresponsive to us. I felt a bit hurt until I realized it "wasn't about Rocky or Ilisa"! Once we got that new attitude, we kept coming and slowly but surely they now look forward to us and truly are impacted emotionally and mentally by our visits. Mommy is able to converse with them more and I get to do my favorite activity, lay back on my back and let them hold me, kiss me and love me! Wow..isn't life grand...and they call this work! Gotta run and eat my breakfast. Mommy has a busy work day. Talk more later.....xoxo Rocky!