Feature

TheReview Wednesday, May 9, 1990 — A112

A little Mischief eng

by Valorie Lennox
The Review

Seniors at Resthaven Lodge
and Sidney Personal Care home
like getting into Mischief, espe-
cially when the reward is a wag-
ging tail and furry devotion.

Mischief, a three-year-old bor-
der collie, likes the seniors as well,
especially when there are a few
extra pats and dog biscuits
involved in the outing.

At the other end of the leash is
owner Sheila Rymer of Central
Saanich, a volunteer for the Pacific
Animal Therapy Society or PATS.

The society sends 80 volunteers”

and their pets into hospitals, nurs-
ing homes and care facilities.

Mischief is also a volunteer,
although Rymer doubts the dog
sees the excursions in that light.

“When you have a biscuit in
your hand she'll do almost any-
thing,’ Rymer said.

Before being accepted into the
PATS program, Mischief had to
pass a temperament test to ensure
she wouldn’t be frightened by
strange surroundings, sudden loud
noises or show her teeth if acci-
dentally harmed by someone.

For example, a senior could
mistakenly roll a wheelchair or
drop a cane on Mischief’s tail,
Rymer said.

“Needless to say, the dog has to
react with something other than
teeth. If the dog shows teeth, it is
out of the program.”

Mischief and Rymer were
accepted into the program six
months ago. Now Rymer makes
weekly visits to Resthaven Lodge
and Sidney Personal Care Home,
alternating between the two facilit-
ies each week.

“TI thought it was a nice idea.
good for the dog and good for
me, says Rymer. A retired health
educator, she is also a volunteer for
Meals on Wheels.

“T enjoy the elderly people. I
enjoy hearing their stories and
hearing about their pets or their
early life in Canada.”

Mischief’s visit especially elic-
its stories about pets. Many of the
seniors have had pets in the past,
although they cannot have animals
in the care facilities.

One of Mischief’s friends is
84-year-old Ruby King, who has
lived in Resthaven Lodge for two
sears. Before entering the care
facility, she shared her apartment
yith a miniature poodle.

When she realized she could not

WORKING FOR
SAANICH
& THE ISLANDS

Mel Couvelier, MLA for
Saanich & the Islands
wants to know your cen-
cerns-

Please visit the
Constituency oifice:
2388 Beacon Ave.
Sidney, B.C. 656-6232
Mon.-Fri. 8:30-4:30 or by Appl.

“I'm a dog lover,” King said. “I
had ‘dogs of all kinds. I even had a
Great Dane in England.”

She looks forward to Mischief’s
twice-monthly visits. “I just like
dogs. Soon as I know theyre
coming, I come right down to look
at them.”

Rymer visits each facility for
one to two hours each week,

Started the organization after notic-
ing how the elderly responded to
visiting animals, recalling their
own pets when they petted a dog
OF Cat.

“T saw how an animal coming in
to them really brightened up their

Continued on Page A13

SIDNEY FLORIST

ages seniors -

depending on the residents’ y }
response. Although some people -
don’t like animals, she finds many )
welcome the visit. Go ahead...

“7 don’t know whether they make their day. >

enjoy Mischief coming or me
coming,” she said. She visits resi-
dents in their homes, giving some

Send flowers!

a reason tO sit up and socialize. l 656-3313
“Mischief turns in at all the

doorways, Rymer said. 2499 Beacon Ave.,
Former nurse Sadey Stangowitz Sidney, B.C. oS

Ane
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bring the poodle into Resthaven
Lodge, she kept the animal until
the last night before she moved,
then turned the poodle over to a
new home on the farm.

The poodle’s new owners kept
in touch, even sending King a tape
recording of the poodle’s bark.

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INTO MISCHIEF and loving it are border collie Miscnief,
Resthaven Lodge resident Ruby King and Mischief’s owner,
Sheila Rymer of Central Saanich. Dog and owner are
volunteers for the Pacific Animal Therapy Association.

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Thank you for caring

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