Just last weekend, HOPE's very own Harper and another volunteer's dog, Ollie, had their first pet therapy session at St Joseph’s Home.
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| Shun Li carrying Harper up so that the resident can pat her |
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| Ollie's very first attempt at being a Pet Therapy dog |
As volunteers, we were tasked to bring the dogs around the home and encourage the residents to give pats and interact with them.
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| Harper, a special needs dog, giving love to the residents |
Both Harper and Ollie did extremely well for first-timers! They weren’t only calm and collected, but also gladly welcomed pats and paw shakes. Many residents felt that they could relate to Harper when they saw her on her wheelchair, as they, too, have walking disabilities but have chosen to look on the bright side of life.
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| Very often, the staff need pet therapy too |
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| These 2 dogs belong to the staff of St Joseph's Home |
It was a truly rewarding experience as we saw how their faces lit up with joy whenever they interacted with the dogs. We could also tell how proud Harper and Ollie were to be able to provide comfort and companionship to those in need. Needless to say, we were really proud of them too. Well done Harper and Ollie!!!
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| Being on her wheelchair had its limitations as the residents often could not reach Harper |
The one hour spent at the nursing home might be the ones that the elderly residents looked forward to most. It’s amazing how much a few volunteer hours can make the residents feel loved and cared for.
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| An extremely exhausted and proud Harper |
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| We're so proud of our little fighter <3 <3 |
