Week Three for Alpine

Alpine's third week at the hospital went pretty well. She was a little bit sick on Thursday and Friday but felt better (and much more playful) on Saturday. During a group session on Saturday she did a wonderful job of sharing her beloved tennis ball with all of the patients who wanted to throw it for her. I'm not sure how she knows, but she manages to share the ball almost equally with everyone throwing it for her. All the patients think it is hilarious that she actually throws the ball back in your lap. During the session we talked about what everyone's "tennis ball of life" was. This topic came up because one of the patients pointed out that no matter how Alpine is feeling or what she is doing, a tennis ball instantly makes her happy so that turned into talking about our own "tennis balls" in life. It ended up being an amazing therapy session.

Alpine had a last minute trip to the vet last week. On Thursday she was not acting like herself and had a weird accident. Luckily, her vet has a branch here so we took her to see her. Turns out she is ok and just needs to have cranberry juice a few times a day to clear up some bladder issues (just like humans!). She was very good at the vet so we let her pick out a new toy at Petco (she chose a new tug). The staff at the hospital were all so worried about her! I thought they might be mad that she had an accident but no one seemed to care about that, they all just wanted to make sure she was ok. After she went home to rest, everyone kept asking me what happened and if she was going to be ok. I have been pleasantly surprised with how supportive all the staff have been. Everyone seems to love her! Even the vice president of the hospital wants to meet her!

Yesterday on our day off, we decided to go to the Monroe County state fair. What an interesting experience with Alpine! She went crazy with all the new animal smells. Her favorite part was the cows. She was completely fascinated with one particular cow. She slowly worked her way closer to it (nose going CRAZY the whole time) The cow laid there and stared at her, and then decided she wanted to smell Alpine right back! They were nose to nose for quite some time, just trying to figure each other out. I think they liked each other.

After the fair she was pretty muddy so I gave her a little bath in our tub. She, of course, wanted to take her tennis ball in with her.

Today we had several patients who were bedridden so we decided to do some beside visits. In these types of visits Alpine and I go around to the rooms of patients who cannot get out of bed and talk with them. I ask them if they like dogs (so far all of them have) and if they would like to say hi. If they agree, I have Alpine do her "up" command (front paws on a surface). Most of the patients then want her on the bed so I help her gently jump up on the bed. She usually lays down on their legs and lounges on the bed until it's time to see another patient. Today we visited one woman who was having a very difficult time with anxiety. Alpine did an amazing job of helping her calm down. She immediately laid down on her bed and snuggled with her, after about 30 minutes of talking with the patient, Alpine had fallen sound asleep and did not want to move. It took a handful of treats to get her to wake up! Below are some pictures of her snuggle time with the patients.

I think Alpine enjoyed it as much as the patients did! As you can see, her job is very difficult :-)

-Alpine & Rachel  

Week 2 for Alpine

Alpine's second week went wonderfully! She is slowly becoming the favorite "employee" around the unit. Last week she got into a good routine. She usually naps in the morning, then gets up just in time to play with patients during second group, head outside for a nice lunch break, then back to work in the unit for the afternoon. After we do a few assessments and write some notes, the patients usually ask if they can see her and either sit with her on the floor or throw her ball for her. Even when she is napping in the office, many of the staff ask where she is and when she's coming back! There was even a nice note in the conference room "We <3 Alpine"

The patients are loving her. They always say hi to her in the halls and many of the patients who do not usually come out and socialize, throw the ball in the hall for her and end up talking to the other patients. It is a great way to draw people out of their rooms. Another great job she has is walking with the patients. Sometimes we have patients who get very bored and end up just wandering up and down the halls. When I notice this, I ask them if they would like to walk with Alpine (if I think it is safe). I sit at the desk in the front and they walk with her in the halls. The patients instantly brighten up and many of them end up finding other patients who want to walk with her too. This is a great way to increase appropriate social interactions among patients.

Everyone is loving little miss Alpine. We are going to start working on getting the hospital to approve a therapy dog full time. If they are ok with it, I hope to get a dog placed at the hospital soon after Alpine leaves!  I'm so happy with how everything is going and how well Alpine is behaving :-)

Here is a picture of her sleeping in her "spot" after a long day at work. Such a cutie!

Alpine's trying therapy!

I recently started an internship at IU Health Bloomington and was given the opportunity to do some research while I'm there. I have always been interested in Animal Assisted Activities/Therapy so I came up with the plan to borrow Alpine (the service dog my parents are currently training) and test out some theories at the hospital. After several rounds of approvals I have been informed that we are 99% approved for the project! Everyone on the unit is super excited to meet little Alpine. Her first day of her new job will be July 4th. If all goes well, we will be presenting our research at the Recreational Therapist of Indiana conference in November! I am so excited that the other rec therapists were so enthusiastic about the whole thing. I still have a few things to do before she comes but I can't wait for her to be here! She is getting a new cape that will help me ensue she is safe around the unit and let everyone know she is working and is a CaPR dog. She might even have to get a hospital ID badge! She took a nice portrait for me  to put on some paper work ( I later found out my parents had to take the close up because she decided to eat a bee- notice the fat lip). Can't wait for her to start working with me!