Dear Friends,
Today, Austin Dog Alliance human-dog therapy teams are wrapping gifts and practicing their best puppy snuggles, getting ready to visit hundreds of residents at nine hospitals and nursing homes on Christmas Eve. This is one of our favorite events of the year.
To most, the visits are a nice opportunity to chat with volunteers and pet the animals. For others, the connection is deeper.
"The Austin Dog Alliance comes to see us twice a month all year, and we are so grateful," says Clairmont General Manager Karen Dollgener. "Residents enjoy petting the dogs, giving them treats, learning about the different breeds, talking to the handlers. It really brightens their day."
And the visits make a difference in their lives.
"We had a resident pass away last year," says Dollgener, sadly. "Pet therapy days were the highlight of her month. Her only wish for her memorial was to have all of the pet therapy dogs that visit Clairmont come on one day to celebrate her life. And they did. All of the dogs came to visit on one night in memory of Eve.
"It means a lot when their last wishes are about the dogs."
In 2014, over 120 Austin Dog Alliance pet therapy dog handlers and their dog partners visited more than 100 schools, libraries, hospitals, nursing homes and hospices in the Austin area, providing more than 3500 hours of volunteer service. It's a service you've helped make possible, and we thank you.
