Welcome
It is a goal of Therapy Dogs Inc. to provide registration, support, and insurance for
members who are involved in volunteer animal assisted activities. These activities include,
but are not limited to, visits to hospitals, special needs centers, schools, and nursing
homes. Our objective is to form a network of caring individuals who are willing to share
their special animals in order to bring happiness and cheer to people, young and old alike.
Please read our Newsletter!
Simba – A Small Quiet Friend to All
These have been wonderful busy days for Simba and me. Our visits to the Subacute unit of our local hospital
have brought much happiness to patients and staff alike. As soon as we step off of the elevator someone at
the nurses' station is bound to call out "Oooooh! Here’s Simba!!" He is a favorite with the staff. Then after
checking in, we begin our visits. Simba is a very low-key little dog. He sits on my arm like a toy. In fact, he
has sometimes been mistaken for a stuffed animal. He also allows himself to be placed with patients who wish to
hold him. He will sit or lie quietly with them where I put him - on a lap or bed - and will remain there until I
invite him to move on to the next room. We visit the hospital, one nursing home and two assisted living facilities,
making eight visits per month. We have added a new facility, where we had the distinct privilege of visiting an
elderly lady who was in hospice care. We had just begun coming to this facility when one of the aides asked if I
would mind bringing Simba to this particular resident. She escorted us to her room and suggested that Simba be
placed very close to her on the bed. I set him down as she asked and he laid down and stayed while the aide guided
the resident’s hand to his little head. Then she gently and very slowly stroked him. As she did, a beautiful smile
appeared on her face and in nearly unintelligible speech, she said "Oh, I love him," as her hand stopped and rested
on his head. She closed her eyes, then opened them and smiled again. After the aide signaled us to end the visit, she
told me that this was probably the best experience the lady had had in many days. She was alone - her husband had died
years earlier and she had no children. When we returned there a few days ago, we were told that the lady had passed
away just a few days after our visit. What a blessing to have been able to bring a measure of joy to an individual as
she proceeded along that lonely path. As I work with my little pet, my therapy dog, I feel so blessed. God has had a
purpose in allowing me to have this little guy so he could bring joy not only to me, but more importantly to people
with a true need for the soothing experience of holding and stroking a quiet, warm little dog who just seems to love
to sit or lie there and let them hold him. Thank God for the many rich experiences we have been given this past year.
-Ruth Records and Simba, Chicago, IL
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