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January 2010 Visits

Visit on 30 January 2010 - Bishan Home for the Intellectually Disabled (BHID)

Hi, fellow volunteers,
 
We had a good start to the new year with our first visit of 2010 to BHID. We were warmly welcomed with hugs and handshakes by the residents, who as usual, were very pleased to meet our fur pals. Each dog did his part, whether in interacting with the residents, taking a walk around the hall, being hugged and patted, or simply sitting at the feet of the residents. It was wonderful indeed to see our dogs do what they intuitively felt would help to bring comfort and joy.
 
A Big Thank You to the following volunteers who came, despite the rush of preparing for Chinese New Year:
1. Brian and Serene Toh with DoDo and MoMo (Dachschund)
2. Janice Ho with Zechy (Labrador)
3. Helen Lea with Rosie (Labrador)
4. John Chua with Micky (Maltese)
5. Beautrice Wong with Skippy (Silky Terrier)
6. Yolanda Chin with Chewbacca (Labrador)
7. Kelvin and Eunice Wang with Baileys (Shetland Sheepdog)
8. Emily Lui and mum Soo Fen with Polar (Samoyed)
9. Angeline Ng (observer)
 
We missed Charlie and Mabel and Stallion and Silky, and wish Charlie a speedy recovery -- everyone misses the "gang", and look forward to having them all back in action again soon!
 
We also look forward to Angeline Ng joining us after this observation session with her dog Bernice (Bernese Mountain Dog) soon.
 
Do look out for announcements of our upcoming visits. Please note that the visit to Bethany Methodist Nursing Home in February will be cancelled as it will fall on the ev of Chinese New Year.
 
Wishing everyone a good break over the CNY holiday.

cheers
Soo Fen

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Visit on 22 January 2010 - MINDSville

Hello Everyone,

What a wonderful feeling it was to be back at MindSville , hearing all the cheering, clapping & laughter the moment we walked into the multi purpose hall!! Most wonderful to know we were dearly missed;-)
Our friends at MindSville are never shy to show how much our monthly visit meant to them. Their enthusiasm & eagerness to start the PAT session were immediately shown the moment our K9 volunteers walked into the hall.

No time were wasted & all activities starts like clock work. The hall came to life with all sorts of activities-walking, patting & grooming the dogs were most popular among the residents.

We were also delighted to have a group of NTDC trainees joining us starting from this month. Special thanks to Radha & Helen for their Patience & encouragement shown to some of these teenagers who were afraid of dogs initially & how they overcome their fear & started to enjoy playing fetch with the dogs. The undeniable happy grin shown on the faces of these teenagers were most satisfying to watch when the ball was retrieved by the dogs. Hopefully, the NTDC trainees will slowly open their heart to our K9 volunteers with monthly viist from us.

While everyone was engaged in some sort of activities, one of the resident-Cheng Nam was busy sneaking to touch the dogs while they are not watching him. It has been his preferred way of interacting with our K9 volunteers.

Little did Cheng Nam knew that Rosie has been waiting to "ambush" him too. Everyone burst out laughing when Rosie suddenly turned around & started to lick Cheng Nam when he was about to touch Rosie who was walking along with another resident!!!

Lots of kisses were also blown to the doggies by the ever so affectionate Mani, another wonderful resident who adores our K9 volunteers.

For helping to bring so much fun, joy & laughter to our friends at MindSville & the NTDC trainees, the loudest cheer are specially reserved for my ever so supportive regular volunteers:

-Melinda Ann Michael with Chewy( Catanlan Sheepdog) & Cleo(long hair dachshund)
-Helen Lea with Rosie(Labrador Retriever)
-Alicia Israel with Magic & Diva(Labrador Retriever)
My lovely helping hand:
-Radha Nagesh who brought her niece, Dr Meenakshi from Bangalore, India

Not forgetting Qinghui & mum, Mary who came as observers. We hope you've enjoyed the session & believe in our PAT work & join us in our mission soon.

Meantime, do remember to check out www.tdspore.org for updates of the next visit. Till then, stay safe & enjoy life


Cheerio,
Alicia, Magic & Diva

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Visit on 17 January 2010 - Ward 66A Institute of Mental Health (IMH) 

Hi Everyone,
 
Here's the report of our visit to IMH on the 3rd Sunday of January.
 
This time round due to some unforseen circumstances, some of our regulars volunteers are unable to make it for the visit. However, it is very fortunate that 3 of our loving volunteers turned up with their faithful doggies :D A big round of applause for them * clap clap clap...*
 
It had been a quiet afternoon at IMH with the residents. As there are only three dogs, we did not do much physical activities, but the residents had their chance to pat the dogs, carry them and placed them on their laps. We also have some long chats with these lovely ladies in ward 66A. Oh, and some of them from 66B (who used to be from 66A) joined us as well. From their expressions, you can tell they really missed our dogs. Through these, the residents had their chances of interacting with people, working on their social skills, especially when they waited patiently for their turns to play with the dogs. And one of them particularly enjoyed feeding the dogs their snack.
 
Once again, thank you to those who turned up that day. They are:
1. Beatrice with Skippy (Silky Terrier)
2. Doris with Bambi (Silky Terrier)
3. Tricia with Freo (Silky Terrier)
4. Lishan (McMug absent with apology)
 
Best Regards,
Lishan
 

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Visit on 15 January 2010 - Sunshine Welfare Action Mission Home (SWAMI)

Hello PAT volunteers,

It is with great delight that the beginning of a new decade PAT session at SWAMI was carried out  successfully with the appearance of our regular friday friends & buddies. The residents of the home were so excited to see us back in action. We had a fun filled visit with lots of activities going on.

Lots of walking exercise were done along the corridor. While Chewy entertained those that were not too keen to walk with his trademark "ballerina" dance, Cleo was happily lapping up all the cuddle & love sitting from one lap to another. Hayden was equally enjoying the touch & strokes from the residents. As Diva was performing her "roll over" trick to earn her treat, Helen decided to demonstrate to Rosie how to "roll over" by doing the " follow the leader" game. Yup, you guessed it, Helen gamely laid on the floor & "rolled over" & that was the highlight for all the residents & caregivers as everyone burst out laughing!!! Everyone was having so much fun & before we knew it, it was time to say good bye.

It is so wonderful to know that some of the dementia residents were asking for Stallion & Charlie whom they notice were not present. This somehow affirm my belief of small thing, big difference.

A big shout of thank you to the following wonderful souls for making the trip to SWAMI:
- Helen Lea with Rosie/Labrador retriever
-Ang Lay Hui with Hayden/King Charles Spaniel
-Melinda Ann Michael with Chewy/Catalan sheepdog & Cleo/ Mini Dastchud
-Alicia & husband- Simon Israel with Magic & Diva/Labrador retriever

Don't forget to check out our website:www.tdspore.org for next PAT visit. Till then, Keep well & stay safe.

Cheerio,
Alicia, Magic & Diva
 

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Visit on  9 January 2010- Bethany Methodist Nursing Home (BMNH)

Hi everyone
We had a good start to the new year with our first visit to Bethany Methodist Nursing Home. Many thanks to those who made a special effort to support our new activity of "Guess the Doggie'which we piloted that day. My grateful thanks to Michelle with Yaki, Serene with Jappy, and Denise with Saber and Camie, who made a special effort to be present so that the 4 small dogs could participate in our pilot. The game went quite well, though it tiring for us and the dogs, and I am sure some parts could be improved. Would really appreciate it if the 3 ladies could give me your feedback on what you thought of the game. We will take this off-line, ok? Many thanks in advance :)

For the record, the following faithful volunteers were present:

 1. Charlie Ho with Stallion/GSD
2. Mabel Ho with Silky/Golden Retriever
3. Michelle Loh with Yaki/Dachshund
4. Serene Huang with Jappy/Shih Tzu
5. Denise Ting with Saber and Camie/Pomeranian
6. Elaine Lui and mum Soo Fen with Polar/Samoyed
7. Loh Wei Chin, helping hand
8. Goh Kunshan, helping hand

Looking forward to seeing more volunteers, as we have been invited to 'adopt' specific individual residents at BMNH so that we can better meet their needs, and to visit the bed-bound patients in the wards. We have plans and great ideas of what we can do, but we will not be able to carry them out unless we get more committed volunteers onboard!

cheers
Soo Fen

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Visit on 8 January 2010 - Thong Teck Home for Senior Citizens (TTHSC)

Hi fellow volunteers,
 
The first visit to TTHSC in the year 2010 was made by a team of 8 volunteers and 8 dogs, including:
Helen Lea with Rosie / Labrador
Ang Lay Hui with Hayden / Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Denise Ting with Camie & Saber / Pomeranian
Melinda Ann Michael with Chewy / Catalan Sheepdog & Cleo / Datschund
Doris Chang - Helping Hand
Radha Nagesh - Helping Hand
Mabel Ho with Silky / Golden Retriever
Charlie Ho with Stallion / GSD

Welcome back to our long time PAT volunteer, Ang Lay Hui, who used to bring her passed therapy dog, Spencer / Cavalier KCS, to cheer up the residents. Hayden is her new buddy and I am sure Lay Hui and Hayden  can contribute very much to the PAT session.
 
The hour of interaction past quickly when we we are amongst old friends. My heartfelt thanks to our PAT team for making another afternoon for these elderly citizens a meaningful and enjoyable one. We had a good time and hope more volunteers will come forward and support our monthly visit.
 
Have a happy and blessed week ahead.
 
Warmest regards
Charlie Ho

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Visit on 1 January 2010 - Asian Women's Welfare Association Special School for Children (AWWA)

-- January Visit Cancelled --

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