The Oregon Caregiver FALL/WINTER 2022 www.ohca.com 12 FEATURE » FEATURE, CONT. for myself. It’s really nice for the residents to do something else and be able to focus on something that you can take care of in a way,” said Davis. Her colleagues have joined in on the fun by bringing their own pets to the community. At least twice a day, Davis walks through hallways with different dog breeds that range in age and size, popping into residents’ rooms to add some joy and interaction to their day. “This one resident who was telling me about how, when he was growing up, he had a mastiff, and he said the dog was big enough to ride. He was just so happy,” said Davis. For the most part, Davis says the residents gradually warm up to the dogs even if they’re hesitant at first. She has residents who would, at the beginning, only pet the dogs, but after a few weeks, they started holding and kissing them. As she continues to revamp the animal program at Columbia Basin Care, she’s hoping for more involvement from outside of the community. She’s looking for volunteers who have extra time to visit with good-natured, calm, and obedient animals that can respond to basic commands to start building relationships with the seniors. “It’s more like an escape for the residents. If kids or dogs visit, it’s just more jovial, more lighthearted because no one’s asking you how things are going or what treatments or rehab you’re under; it’s just an easy time to be happy together,” said Davis. “It feels special if it’s just the dog that comes to visit, because then you feel like, ‘oh, this dog came to see me because they like me.’ Whatever you can do to find happiness, however fleeting it is, I think is worth it.” The happiness of the residents and staff stems from unconditional love, nostalgia, physical touch, and a daily routine. Animals can bring a lot of value to long term care settings. Whether it’s the warm nuzzle of a furry friend or a fond memory of a beloved pet, the power of animal therapy can reach beyond any regulation or rule, healing and lifting spirits one pet at a time. “You are improving the residents’ quality of life by putting an animal in their lives,” said McDonald. “There’s nothing better.”
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