Chispa at Six Years Old
After five months of maternity leave, Chispa has returned to her job as a pet therapist. She is very perceptive and sensitive as she gently reaches out to people in the community.
Thank you to all of those who help train her to “Go say Hi!”
- Tri City Medical Center, Rehabilitation Unit, Oceanside, CA (3/17/13) – She enjoyed the St. Patrick’s Day pet parade and visits with patients and staff
- Tri City Medical Center, Rehab Unit (4/21/13) – A fun event in the dining room with a group of patients. Good thing she has a good “Leave it!”
- Literacy Night (4/24/13) – She ever so calmly and quietly listened to the kids read…even when her eyes were closed!
- Tri City Medical Center, Rehab Unit (8/30/13)
- Tri City Medical Center, Oncology & Waiting Room (10/28/13) – Many good visits today. Even a fear tears of joy for them, and sadness for me. You’re a Super-Star, Chispa!
- Tri City Medical Center, Oncology (11/1/13) – An extra special second-time-visit with a patient. Their gazes met three inches apart as the patient’s eyes streams with tears. Chispa ever so gently kissed her nose as if she could see deeply into her soul.
- Tri City Medical Center, Onocology (11/4/13) – More tears of joy from the same patient. Chispa gives “air kisses”, patiently waiting to see if she is “invited” to get closer.
- Tri City Medical Center, Oncology (11/11/13) – “This is just what I’ve needed” . . . and a nurse commented, “This is most purposeful reaction from [another] patient!”
- Tri City Medical Center, Oncology (11/30/13) – Nice to see progress from some of the longer-term patients.
- TCMC (12/9/13) – Had a nice visit with patients after our television debut!
- Literacy Night at San Luis Rey Elementary (12/11/13) – Loved listening to kids read!
- TCMC (12/12/13) – Pet parade around the hospital with extra time spent in behavioral health
- TCMC (12/22/13) – Good to see some of the same patients progress!
- TCMC (1/2/14) – Went to go wish the patients a Happy New Year!
- TCMC (2/14/14) – She returns with a bang after a short hiatus. First the Valentine’s Day Party in Acute Rehab, then Behavioral Health. She made connections with lots of patients and staff. And, patiently stared into the eyes of one patient in particular, drawing her out of her shell as she smiled back. Thank you, Paula and TCMC staff for the opportunity to serve!
- TCMC (2/16/14) – An Alzheimer’s patient withdrew for a split second to reach out, and pet her. And, another patient caressed her for 15 minutes as she laid next to him.
- TCMC, Behavioral Rehabilitation (2/20/14) – A new patient is introduced to the group. Chispa, without prompting, runs over to greet the new patient, and sits at his feet. They stare at each other for a couple minutes. He leans down to pet her, then she tenderly goes to other patients.
- TCMC (3/2/14) – She laid alongside a dog-loving patient who hasn’t seen a dog since last November. Tears of joy. Soft pets. Good conversation.
- TCMC (3/6/14) – She proudly pranced through the hospital today, visiting some of the same patients and getting her ID card.
- TCMC (3/15/14) – Pet parade through the hospital
- TCMC (4/13/14) – Visits with patients in Acute Rehab and Oncology
- Tri City Medical Center, Behavioral Health Unit (9/7/14) – We had a good visit with lots of patients!
- Tri City Medical Center, Behavioral Health Unit (9/11/14) – It was an interesting visit this time. Chispa is so patient, and well-behaved. She does not get flustered when humans get a bit crazy. I’m so happy people get to love on her. Thanks, Chispa and thank you, Lord.
- TCMC, Behavioral Health Unit (9/18/14) – Group therapy was calm and serene as many of the patients approached her, some sitting on the floor petting, and loving on her. She’ll take a couple months off for maternity leave.
- TCMC, Acute Rehab (1/18/15) – Her first visit after her litter. The patient invited Chispa to jump up on the bed (with a towel down first, of course) so the patient could pet her more easily. The patient cried, and connected.
- TCMC, Behavioral Health Unit (2/14/15) – Valentine’s Day Parade through the hospital to BHU.
- TCMC, Behavioral Health and Oncology (3/17/15) – She knows how to draw out the patient. She stares them down, gazing into their eyes and patiently waiting for them to reach down to love on her.
- TCMC, Behavioral Health (4/2/15) – We both got to connect in Spanish today. Loved it.
- TCMC, Lobby (5/7/15) – A friend went with me to learn how to handle Chispa for her volunteer work with Hospice of the North Coast.
- TCMC, pet therapy parade (5/28/15) – Most of our time was spent in Behavioral Health.
- Hospice of the North Coast (6/5/15) – Very interesting visit with an elderly woman and her cat. Good girl, Chispa!
- TCMC, pet therapy parade (7/3/15) – Met in lobby, and went all together to Behavioral Health. She visited with some of the same patients. And, she became infatuated with tea cup Yorkie held by her owner.
- TCMC, pet therapy parade (9/24/15) – Met in lobby. We got to speak some Spanish, and had some lovely visits at Behavioral Health, Acute Rehab, and with lots of staff. Tears and laughter this time.
- University Park Library, Irvine, CA (11/19/16) – Wow. It’s been awhile, but Chispa handled it like a pro. She perked up upon entering the library, excited to meet the large crowd. She attentively listened to 8 different children read.
Chispa at Two Years Old
