At work, Alpine has been quite popular. Everyday I get at least one request from a staff member who needs some "Alpine therapy." We have been very full at on the unit and the staff have been using Alpine to relieve some stress. Everyone keeps asking when her last day is and saying how much they are going to miss her! The staff have even started giving her little gifts. The rec therapists got together and made her an IU Health bandanna with her name embroidered on. Alpine likes wearing her bandanna and gets very concerned when I take it off. When I take it off she sits in front of me and tries to take it back until I put it back on her. Another staff member got her a new bone and although it is not a type of bone she is allowed to have, the gesture was very sweet. Here is a picture of Alpine in her new bandanna.
With the patients, she has been working her magic as usual. She was able to get a very sad patient to smile and even laugh a little bit with her tennis ball talents. It is really amazing to see how much someone brightens up with her around. Alpine is getting better at understanding what patients need from her. If a patient is upset and sitting on the floor, she will go up to them and lay next to them (often falling asleep). If patients are bed ridden, she has learned a new command so she can help them- bed. This command tells her to jump up on the bed and lay down quietly. She LOVES doing this and takes her bed visit time very seriously by lounging around on the patient and allowing them to pet her and love on her for as long as they would like. Alpine has done a fantastic job this summer and I really hope the hospital looks into a full time therapy dog.
Alpine took a trip with Cameron and I to Louisville KY where his grandparents live. While we were there we went to the slugger museum and factory. We, of course, took a tour and received our commemorative "mini bats" at the end. The tour guide was so impressed with Alpine that he gave her mini-bat! She carried it around for a while and then decided it made a better chew toy then a bat. She behaved very well on our trip. Here is a picture of her at the museum in front of the giant baseball bat and a picture of her with her new bat.
It has been so much fun having her here. I can't believe it's almost time to take her home! The house is going to be way too quiet with out her.
-Alpine & Rachel
