December 2008 Visits

Visit on 26 December 2008 - MINDSville

Dear fellow volunteers,

I hope you and your family all had a wonderful Christmas and my apologies for a delayed report on our visit to MINDSville on December 26th, 2008. As always, we were greeted with much enthusiasm from the residents and staff alike at this home - beams of smiles and lots of laughter. All in all, everyone enjoyed themselves, had a good time working out their arm muscles with ball throwing, patting and hugging our dogs, and working out their leg muscles with walking them around for the more ambulatory residents.

We welcome Sohteen to our team this past week - she came as an observer to the program and hopes to join the team with her Shihtzu. I hope we'll see you both very soon!
And similarly to the past few weeks, we were graced with the presence of Alicia's 2 nieces, Pei Xuan and Jing Ying, and this week, they actually were kind enough to help me with Beatrice - taking 2 dogs to therapy work with just 2 hands is not an easy feat - unless you have well behaved dogs like Stallion and Silky, or Diva and Magic!

My heartfelt thanks to the following volunteers and their poochies

1. Charlie Ho with Stallion / German Shepherd Dog and Silky / Golden Retriever
2. Alicia Isreal with nieces Pei Xuan and Jing Ying with Magic / Labrador Retriever and Diva / Labrador Retriever
3. Sohteen, an observer, who helped with handling Silky

and for the records,
4. Louiza Chan with Grace-pie / Spoodle and Beatrice-bear / Spoodle

The next weekday visit should be to Thong Teck Home on January 9th as AWWA is still on school holidays.
So till then, have a happy new year, and cheers to 2009!

Louiza, Grace and Beatrice. xx

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Visit on 21 December 2008 - Ward 66A Institute of Mental Health (IMH) 

Hi everyone
It was heartwarming indeed to find 30 big-hearted volunteers and 20 loving dogs who were happy to sacrifice Christmas shopping, feasting, napping (or whatever would have made your Sunday afternoon) to make Christmas a time to remember for the patients of IMH Ward 66A. They had a wonderful time of feasting, interacting, singing and dancing -- which demonstrated their great enjoyment of the party!

I personally found the camaraderie wonderful indeed -- we served yummy treats (both lovingly home-made and generously purchased), sang lustily with the patients, and did what we and our dogs do best of all -- offer friendship, companionship and joy to those who would otherwise have spent Christmas alone and all too quietly.

Special heartfelt thanks to:
1. Francis Yip, who gamely did double duty as Santa Claus on both 20 Dec and 21 Dec (and in the process discovered why Santa much prefers the cold of the North Pole :))
2. Evangeline Koh, who painstakingly baked 3 large christmas cakes and lots of gingerbread cookies for the patients (and 1 to-die-for carrot cake for the volunteers!)
3. Melissa Tan, who opened heart and pockets to purchase lots of delicious curry puffs and chicken pies, and a log cake, for the patients
4. Constance and Yuwei who spent a busy morning cooking glutinous rice which had many patients asking for seconds and thirds
5. Hilda, who generously sponsored 45 goodie bags of TDS Christmas photo postcard, face towels and tidbits
6. Our impromptu carolling team, led by Santa Francis and supported by loud voices of Melissa, Emily and Tuck Yew and lots of other volunteers and patients
7. Charlie who faithfully captured it all on video
8. Balaji who kept busy with photographing the special moments and assembling/disassembling the Christmas cart
9. All the helping hands in serving food, singing interacting with the patients, clearing up etc etc.
10. The children who cheerfully chipped in at every point to help out and learned what a meaningful Christmas it can be
11. And last but not least, many who brought extra snacks of crackers, cookies and chocolates for the patients

Catch the kodak moments of the patients' joyful dancing, eating and singing when Charlie and Balaji are ready, and you will understand how much fun we all had!

A million thanks to:
1. Charlie and Mabel Ho, and granddaughter Sarah, with Stallion/GSD and Silky/Golden Retriever
2. Helga Kuhl with Hilde/Lab Cross
3. Bian Yu Wei and friends Ivan Ng and Constance with Rafa/Mini Schnauzer
4. Shum Chin Yang with McMug/JRT
5. Balaji, wife Usha and daughter Rashmi with Cookie and Chikkie/Shih Tzu
6. Evangeline Koh and nephews Sebastian and Harrison with Pepper and Perdi/Shetland Sheepdogs
7. Mdm Loke Tin Chan and hubby Steven with Bobby/Shih Tzu
8. Francis and Evelyn Yip with Cash/Corgi
9. Melissa with Horlicks/Lab, Mooji/Chihuahua and Smeagol/mixed breed
10. Eunice Wang with Baileys/Shetland Sheepdog
11. Rebecca Kwan with Cocoa/Maltese
12. Polly Teng with Nicky/Maltese
13. Pauline Tan and son Brian with Sunny/Golden Retriever
14. Hilda Lim and hubby Gregory with Pepper / Mini Schnauzer
15. Elaine and Emily Lui and parents Tuck Yew and Soo Fen with Polar/Samoyed

THANK YOU once again for the joy you brought, and have a very blessed Christmas!

cheers
Soo Fen

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Visit on 20 December 2008 - Bishan Home for the Intellectually Disabled (BHID)

Dear Fellow Volunteers,

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Christmas is for joy, for giving and sharing, for laughter, for coming together with family and friends.... But mostly, Christmas is for love. It was this love for which our volunteers and their family and friends came to BHID together with their therapy dogs to spread the Christmas joy with the residents. Truly appreciate the Christmas spirit of all of you and your therapy dogs.

Presents were:

1. KG Balaji, Ushus & Rashim with Cookie & Chikkie / Shih Tzu
2. Carmel Haley and two daughter with Dr Zeus / Great Dane
3. Evangeline Koh and nephews Harrison & Sebestian with Pepper & Perdi / Shetland Sheepdog
4. Francis & Evelyn Yip and daughters Deborah & Geraldine with Cash / Corgi
5. Hilda Lim and hubby Gregory with Pepper / Mini Schnauzer
6. Helga Khul with Hilde / Labrador
7. Judy Wong and Jason with Joey / Golden Retriever
8. John Chua and wife with Micky / Maltese
9. Jane Oh - Helping Hand
10. Kunshan Goh - Helping Hand
11. Lai Yoke Chin - Helping Hand
12. Loh Wei Chin - Helping Hand
13. Lillie Tien and daughter with Ollie / Poodle
14. Lok Tin Chan and hubby Steven with Bobby / Shih Tzu
15. Lui Tuck Yew, Soo Fen Teng and daughters Elaine & Emily with Polar / Samoyed
16. Melissa Tan with Horlicks / Labrador Retriever , Mooji / Chihuahua and Sonegol
17. Mak Mun San with Flash / Welsh Springer Spaniel
18. Patricia Koh and daughter with Brutus / English Bulldog
19. Mabel Ho and grand-daughter Sarah with Silky / Golden Retriever
20. Charlie Ho with Stallion / GSD

Santa Claus Francis Yip and Reindog Polar / Samoyed, handled by Elaine Lui, pulled the X'mas wagon filled with goodie bags, led the PAT team to the multi-purpose hall where we were warmly greeted by the residents. Santa Claus Francis Yip did an excellent job ... I think he is a pro! Thank you Francis.

I would like to acknowledge with a BIG THANK YOU to the following for their gracious contribution:
Stanley Wong is a great supporter to TDS and BHID. He graciously sponsored100 New Zealand Natural Ice-cream for the 2nd year

• Patricia Koh graciously sponsored the 100 goodie bags.
• Francis Yip contributed the Santa Claus outfit
• Lok Tin Chan contributed packets of biscuit.
• Mabel Ho contributed santarina hats
• All others who made the Christmas visit a joyous one

I wish to record my thanks to Kunshan Goh who took charge of carolling; KB Balaji who helped to assemble the X'mas Wagon, Soo Fen and her daughters Elaine & Emily who helped to pack up the 100 goodie bags including the design of the doggie X'mas Card, and last but not least Mabel and grand daughter Sarah who started the first line mini production of the goodie bags.

Many thanks to all volunteers and family who spent their valuable Saturday afternoon with the residents inspite of their busy working schedules and doing shopping and/or house cleaning in preparation for the Christmas celebration which is just around the corner. I hope all of you have enjoyed the visit as much as I do. The great smiles and happiness, even the toothless ones, from the residents is indeed far more rewarding as it makes us appreciate the simple things in life more ... giving and sharing with them the Love.

I captured some candid scenes on video, especially the corolling part as well the the distribution of the goodie bags and New Zealand Natural Ice-Cream to the residents. I feel that the video clips including some photos could give you a better picture of how one big family celebrating and sharing the joyous 2008 X'mas with the residents. I hope to edit the video clips and still images and create a DVD for your viewing in the next few days.

Once again, many thanks to all for joining our special X'mas Visit to BHID.

May I take this opportunity in wishing you and your family "A Merry Christmas and A happy New Year". May the year 2009 brings you " Good Health, Happiness and Prosperity".

Warmest regards & God bless,
Charlie Ho

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Visit on 19 December 2008 - Sunshine Welfare Action Mission Home (SWAMI)

Hello all TDS-PAT volunteers,

Firstly, a merry Christmas to all (once again, in case you don't read my MINDSville reminders...) and wishing you, your family and not forgetting the amazing pooches we have, a happy 2009.

We have once again trekked to Sembawang for our monthly visit at SWAMI. The aunties and uncles at the dementia ward on level 3 greeted us with their usual smiles and requests, though a few of them must be overwhelmed by all the Christmas festivities going on and don't seem as enthusiastic as usual. None-the-less, we brought smiles and laughter to their faces, had interesting conversations with them and got them moving around the area with the help of our therapy dogs. We were assisted by the most helpful staff members you could get and guys - you are always a joy to work with!

Our cosy little group this week for the records

1. Alicia Isreal with nieces Pei Xuan & Jing Ying and Magic / Labrador Retriever and Diva / Labrador Retriever
2. Louiza Chan with husband Keefe and Grace-Pie / Spoodle and Beatrice-Bear / Spoodle

Thanks so much for finally getting to SWAMI, Alicia!
And a yippee for Magic for finally conquering his fear of the lift!

I know we are all busy with Christmas festivities and spending time with our loved ones - but please don't forget how much joy and happiness we bring to the homes we visit every week. Albeit us only being there for an hour each month at each home, the residents really look forward all month to our visit. So please, in the season of sharing, spare a thought for these people having to spend Christmas, new years and what-nots alone, and spare a hour or 2 of your time to bring a smile to their faces!

I look forward to seeing more of you guys at MINDSville this coming Friday!

Till then,
Don't stuff yourself with too much Christmas goodies,
and with my vet hat on: please, don't feed your dogs with table scraps and left-overs - I see too many cases of pancreatitis after christmas every year for my liking!

Louiza, Grace & Beatrice.xx

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Visit on  13 December 2008- Bethany Methodist Nursing Home (BMNH)

Dear all TDS PAT Volunteers,

This month's session was at the Day Rehab Centre Room instead of the usual Multi-Purpose Hall and even though we saw a smaller group of residents join us for the session it turned out to be just as interactive and fruitful with a good handful of volunteers and their pooches who came by.

The Helping Hands and Healing Paws for the session included;

1. Charlie and Mabel Ho with Stallion (German Shepherd)
2. Pearly Cheong & Joshua with the foursome furries; Samuel and Caleb (Burnese Mountain Dogs), Grace (Border Collie) and Gabriel (Rough Collie)
3. Judy and Jason with Joie (Golden Retriever)
4. Jerlyn and Sister with Fluffy (Shitzu)
5. Helga with Hilde (Labrador Cross)
6. Rebecca Kwan with Cocoa (Maltese)
Those who joined us for the first time;
7. Lena with Sammi (Chihuahua)
8. John and Miss Chua (Sister) with Mickey (Maltese)

And those who came with passion and love for the residents and to lend their helping hands
Koh Sian Yee, Ann Wee, Pei Yan and Kunshan Goh.

Thanks to Sian Ann and the nurses at the home for welcoming us and their help during each of our monthly visits.

The session was all fun and laughter and we saw progress amongs the residents. It was an effective session and we saw Sammi adjusting very well with the residents (eventhough it was her first visit). Joie did a marvellous job as she managed to help get one of the residents (Mr Lew), off his feet and on a slow stroll. Pearly and Joshua spread their love with their doggies by making their visiting rounds at the wards for those residents who were not able to come down and join us.

As the session ended, while the residents were waiting for the lift and to be taken back to their wards, we caught up with some of the residents who had just finished thier session which had been pre-arranged for them by church volunteers at the Multi-Purpose Hall. It was great to hear that they missed us even though they had been unable to join us for the session.

Just as the session was ending, Cocoa together with myself and Sian Ann also slipped in a visit to one of the wards to visit a resident to who had a love for dogs but unfortunately was unable to join us. In the short visit, it was heart warming to see that he was all smiles as we entered the room and he got acquainted with Cocoa and even asked that we come back again soon.

We look forward to having the rest of the residents, volunteers and their pooches join us again in the coming first visit of year 2009, on Saturday 12 Jan 2009, 3pm - 4pm.

Meanwhile as we round off the year, my best wishes to all the residents and staff of Bethany as well as our ever so committed PAT volunteers and their pooches. May all of you be blessed with Good Health, Peace, Prosperity, Happiness, Love and Good tidings in the New Year ahead!

Have a safe and Merry Christmas!

With Love,
Rebecca and 'lil Cocoa

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Visit on 12 December 2008- Thong Teck Home for Senior Citizens (TTHSC)

Hi Fellow Volunteers,

We continue our monthly visit to TTHSC with great enthusiasm. My heartfelt thanks to the following volunteers who spent their precious time and efforts to help cheer the ever welcoming aunties and uncles of TTHSC.

1. Francis & Evelyn Yip with Cash / Corgi
2. Balaji, wife Usha and daughter Rashmi with Cookie and Chikkie / Shih Tzu
3. Alicia Chue with niece Pei Xuan & Jing Ying with Diva & Magic / Labrador Retriever
4. Lillie Tien with Ollie / Poodle
5. Louiza Chan with Beatrice / Spoodle
6. Charlie Ho and grand daughter Sarah with Stallion / GSD

A very warm welcome to Lillie Tien and her partner Ollie / Poodle and the Balaji family with their two lovely Shih Tzu - Cookie and Chikkie on their first visit to TTHSC. Hope all of you enjoyed the visit and are inspired by the experience enough to return for more, not only to TTHSC but to other TDS adopted homes.

Our objectives focus on the unconditional love of our therapy dogs in combination with the compassion of their handlers. Our PAT recipients have benefited physically, cognitively and motor skills during PAT session. Even our dogs that only have a sweet face and a gentle touch make a valuable contribution to PAT session.

Our next PAT visit is on this Friday, 19th Dec, to SWAMI Home. Our upcoming Christmas visits are to BHID and IMH on 20th & 21st Dec. respectively. Santa Claus and Reindogs will lead the PAT team to spread Christmas cheer to these homes.

Warmest regards
Charlie Ho

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