Sharing our Pomeranian breed has been a very rewarding experience.
We visit an assisted living residence in Virginia, where I work as a nurse, for two hours, twice a month. The resident's faces
light up when our little poms walk through the door. Sharing our delightful breed with the public makes a huge difference
in the lives of those living in our facility.
Our visits not only socialize our dogs, but contribute
to the well being of the residents. By cuddling our dogs, there stress levels decreases and this interaction has a positive
impact on their heart rate and blood pressure.
The joy our participation affords us can only be
exceeded by the joy on the faces of those holding our dogs. Last year, we celebrated the arrival of a new litter. The residents
were excited, and included are photos of the residents enjoying our 8 week old pups.
The resident's love hearing news regarding our
upcoming litters and show wins, and many stay involved in our activities. Recently one of our Poms provided comfort for
a terminal cancer patient and her family. This person earlier in her life owned a Pom named Toby. Though no longer communicating,
she was able to hold our dogs next to her in her bed and smile.
I highly
recommend visiting assisted living homes and hospitals. It is so rewarding in so many ways. For those interested in startign
your own visits I recommend you contact the activities director at a local facility to inquire.
