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September 2009 Visits
Visit on 26 September
2009 -
Bishan Home for the Intellectually Disabled (BHID)
Hi Fellow Volunteers,
We had a good turn-out of 11 dogs and 15 volunteers but we did not have the same
numbers of ID residence participated the PAT session. I was told that most of
the residence were sick. However, we had a good time interacting with them. Many
thanks volunteers for your presence and making PAT visit a wonderful day for all
of us.
Present were:
- Samantha Yue, mum Catherine Chan with Yakuza / Shih Tzu
- Ching Yee, hubby Melvin, sis Jinglin with Summer / Golden Retriever
- Janice Ho with Zechy / Labrador
- Lok Tin Chan & hubby Steven with Bobby / Shih Tzu
- Lui Tuck Yew & wife Soo Fen with Polar / Samoyed
- Fiona Yeo with JJ & Mei Mei / JKR
- Beatrice Wong with Skippy / Silky Terrier
- Eunice Wang & Kevin with Baileys / Shetland Sheepdog
- Mabel Ho with Silky / Golden Retriever
- Charlie Ho with Stallion / GSD
We also had observer, Brian Toh with spouse Serene, who came to observer our
PAT session. They will bring their dogs DoDo & MoMo - Dachshund for the
temperament assessment this month. We shall look forward to seeing them in
action soon.
On PAT visit, we would try to provide physical, social, emotional and cognitive
therapy to people who need. At BHID our regular A* team, Lui Tuck Yew and Soo
Fen faithfully carried out memory card game with a group of ID residents .... to
remember and match as many pairs of matching dogs as possible. This card game
encourages social interaction and promotes cognitive training such as: memory
stimulation, visual recognition of different breeds of dog. Our achievements
also include motor skills such as: walking a dog, throwing dumbbell/ball for a
dog to retrieve.
To those who have not been back to visit BHID for quite sometime, I hope you can
make an effort to come and let your dog brings joy to the ID residents' lives.
Let me quote Mother Teresa's statement " The miracle is not that we do this work
but that we are happy to do it"
Warmest regards
Charlie Ho
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Visit on 25
September 2009 - MINDSville
Hi PAT Volunteers,
We had yet another successful session at MindSville.
Despite the handful of volunteers & dogs, we still managed to have loads of
laughter & generated lots of noise:-)
Our friends at MindSville never disappoint, reserving the
loudest cheers & clap to welcome us when the door to the multi purpose hall
opened . With great enthusiasm & energy from the residents, our furry friends
get to work immediately.
Lots of walking exercise were done, sometimes with two or three residents
holding onto one dog. It was really interesting to see how the residents react
to the same thing differently. It was observed when Magic & Rosie decided to mix
work & play together while walking alongside each other. One of the resident,
Chu Peng was totally upset with the way these two dogs were playing & filed a
complaint to Charlie whom she refers to as "Uncle". On the other hand, Mallika,
another resident was thoroughly enjoying every bit of how these two dogs were
having fun & kept blowing kisses to them, laughing so loudly with approval!!!
The fur 'kids' worked very hard as there were just not enough of them to cope
with the demand. Nonetheless, we ensure everyone has a chance to interact with
our ever so popular 'k-9 stars'. This visit would have not been possible without
the appearance of:
~Helen with Rosie(Labrador Retriever)
~ Charlie Ho with Stallion(GSD) & Silky(Golden Retriever)
~Alicia Israel with Magic & Diva(Labrador Retriever)
Not forgetting, our debut appearance of our wonderful helping hand who did such
excellent job handling Diva & interacting with our friends at MindSville...
~ Radha
Thanks to my lovely friend who make a special appearance to see what PAT is all
about & is ready to enroll her beautiful dog-Peach to do therapy work just like
what we do back in Sydney.
~Jane Morschel
Finally, My loudest cheers to each & everyone of you for your commitment & stay
true to your belief. Each visit can only succeed with you making a choice to be
there , sharing your love & care.
Don't forget to log on to: www.tdspore.org for more update & the next visit.
Till then, take care of yourself & people around you.
Cheerio,
Alicia, Magic & Diva
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Visit on 20 September
2009 -
Ward 66A Institute of Mental Health (IMH)
Dear Fellow Volunteers,
Thanks to all those who came on the 20th September with their dogs as they'd
brought with them laughter and joy to the ladies in IMH Ward 66. The volunteer
who turned up were:
1. Amanda Richardson with Tixi (GSD)
2. Charlie with Stallion (GSD)
3. John with Micky (Maltese)
4. Soo Fen and daughter, Elaine Lui with Polar (Samoyed)
5. Ivan with Tag (JRT)
6. Lishan and father, Shum Chin Yang with McMug (JRT)
7. Tricia with Freo (Silky Terrier)
8. Beatrice with Skippy
9. Janice Gan (Observer)
The residents played with the doggy memory cards which helps to enhance their
memory. Some of them were encouraged to throw toys for the dog to catch and this
physical activity although not providing a lot of work out for the body, but
still a good form of entertainment for the residents :)
Last but not least, interactions with our volunteers and their
doggy companions had brought comfort and enjoyment to many of the residents,
promoting their emotional well being. Great job everyone, really appreciate what
you have done.
Let's look forward to our next visit and have a great week ahead :)
Best Regards,
Lishan
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Visit on 18
September 2009 -
Sunshine Welfare Action Mission Home (SWAMI)
Hi Fellow Volunteers,
It was a wet day with heavy down pour but it did not damper the spirit of our
hard core volunteers who came and brought joy and happiness to the loving
dementia residents. It was indeed a heart warming scene of volunteers and their
dogs doing the walking exercise happily with the dementia residents, a few of
them needed assistance because of difficulty in walking, however, they succeeded
and giggled with delight.
My heartfelt thanks to the following volunteers:
- Alicia Isreal with Diva & Magic / Labrador Retriever
- Melinda Ann Michael with Chewy / Catacan Sheepdog & Cleo / Dachshund
- Lillian Quek with Hollix / Mini Pincher x Shih Tzu
- Gwen Wong with Chou Chou / Chow Chow
- Rachel Foo with Haru / Yorkshire Terrier
- Mabel Ho with Silky / Golden Retriever
- Charlie Ho with Stallion / GSD
The dementia residents at the physiotherapy room did not miss out our PAT
session as Alicia lead the PAT team to visit them providing additional exercise
by our 'physiotherapy' dogs. They are the heroes who do what has to be done when
it needs to be done regardless of the situation.
Warmest regards
Charlie Ho
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Visit on
12 September 2009- Bethany Methodist Nursing Home (BMNH)
Hi everyone
Our visit started with a
yummy treat of lovingly home-made pumpkin kueh for the residents, who enjoyed it
thoroughly. Some had extra helpings, and one resident even asked to keep the
extra sambal belachan!
We welcomed Bee Na and Pebbles, who made their debut appearance to bring joy to
the residents. Together with the seasoned regular volunteers, we had a great
time catching up with the uncles and aunties. It was so good to be able to
congratulate an auntie who recently got baptised and was proudly wearing the
cross around her neck, and rejoice with another resident who had made a recovery
from illness. It is always these moments that keep us visiting month after
month.
My heartfelt thanks to the following who made a difference:
1. Michelle Loh with Yaki (Datschund)
2. Pearly and Joshua Koh, with Grace (Border Collie), Sam and
Caleb (Bernese Mountain Dogs)
3. Bee Na and friend, with Pebbles (Mini Schnauzer)
4. Charlie Ho with Stallion (GSD)
5. Mabel Ho with Silky (Golden Retriever)
6. Emily Lui and mum Soo Fen, with Polar (Samoyed)
7. Goh Kun Shan (helping hand)
9. Loh Wei Chin (helping hand)
10. Dorothy (helping hand)
We are also grateful to the Pioneer JC students who come regularly to help
handle the dogs and interact with the residents. We wish them all the best as
they take the GCE "A" Level examinations soon.
Please note that next month's visit to Bethany will be held on 24 October
(instead of 10 Oct, the 2nd Sat). This is because TDS will be participating in
the World Mental Health Day on 10 Oct, as we do provide PAT services to mental
patients as well. We look forward to many of our volunteers coming to join us on
10 Oct and 24 Oct, our next visit to Bethany. Look out for announcements of
these events.
Cheers
Soo Fen
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Visit on 11
September 2009 - Thong Teck Home for Senior Citizens (TTHSC)
Hi, Fellow Volunteers,
This was our second visit after a 4 months long break because of H1N1 outbreak.
Our senior citizens seated patiently and eagerly awaiting our arrival. From the
moment we entered the PAT venue, our PAT team moved around to their favourite
residents who really enjoyed and benefited from our sustained PAT sessions. As
usual, the lean and hungry looking k9 clown Stallion went straight to Mdm Koo
Chan, who always had a tubful of treats for the dogs, bribing her with his
'hello' bark for a big reward of treats. The 2 small dogs, Pica & Maggie, were
very popular with aunties who hold them tenderly in their arms, brightened up
their wrinkled eyes and drew giggles of delight.
We had a happy hour of good time interacting with the residents. The smiling
faces of the senior citizens could tell how much this was appreciated. Our
therapeutic goals were achieved through the following PAT team:
- Alicia Isreal and nieces, Oei Xuan, Jing Ying with
Diva & Magic / Labrador
- Gwen with Chou Chou / Chow Chow
- Corrinne Choo with Flapper/Labrador, Pica/ Shih
Tzu & Maggie/Miniature Pinscher,
- Helen Lea with Rosie / Labrador
- Doris Chang - Helping Hand
- Mabel Ho with Silky / Golden Retriever
- Charlie Ho with Stallion / GSD
Volunteers are the people who do what has to be done when
it needs to be done. Consider that most people find themselves in need at some
point in their lives. So today you may be the person with the ability to help,
but tomorrow you may be the recipient of someone else's volunteer effort. So
please make a point to join us to bring joy and happiness to the elderly. I hope
to see many more volunteers come and join us at this home or at other
homes/medical institutions for a meaningful and enjoyable PAT session..
Warmest regards
Charlie Ho
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Visit on 4
September 2009 -
Asian Women's Welfare Association Special
School for Children (AWWA)
--- September Visit Postponed
---
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