A Special Lady Friend For Ash

Ash hangs with his special Lady Friend, Ruth.

Silverado Hospice Care  exists in the hope and belief that through effective, compassionate care, patients can approach the ends of their lives with dignity and comfort in the midst of a caring environment sensitive to their needs.

Hospice is a philosophy of care that assists patients, families, and friends during the final stages of a terminal illness.  Silverado Hospice promotes dignity and emphasizes quality of life for those who choose to die in familiar surroundings with those they love.

Silverado Hospice of Los Angeles County and Lend A Paw have partnered to provide support and love in the form of a therapy dog's visit. Lisa Erving and her two Lend A Paw Certified dogs, Ash and Cinder, have received many requests for visits. "Too many for just me and my two dogs!" says Lisa. "I hope more Lend A Paw teams join the program."

When asked how a visit to a Silverado client differs from other visits, Lisa states that each visit seems unique from one to another. They have been referred to 4 ladies so far and the visits have each been totally different. So I asked Lisa to describe a visit with one of their "lady friends." Here is what she had to say:

"The most important aspect is that the Lend A Paw teams actually go to the client's home for the visit. And they spend all their time with just one client and their family and caregivers. With Ruth, the visit mostly centers around Ash (or Cinder). I would say it's 80% dog. Ash is slower and enjoys just hanging with Ruth. We visit on Sunday mornings and we try to get in a surprise Wednesday visit once a month.

A usual visit with Ruth goes like this:

Ash will greet the caregiver, then runs down the hallway to Ruth's bedroom.  You would not believe how this women lights up when she sees him.  Ash waits for the OK, then jumps on the bed and lays down next to her.  Ruth really enjoys the closeness and chatting with Ash - they really enjoy watching T.V. and having snacks together.  If Ash falls asleep, Ruth acts like she won the lotto.  She just loves when he does that.  After about an hour, Ash will go to the back door, he'll go outside and check everything.  Then comes back in, lays down in the hallway and rests for about 20 minutes.  I get to talk to Ruth then.  Then it's time for 'good byes' (which sometimes take forever).  We usually stay a couple of hours. If I could pick a grandma for my dogs, it would be her!"

Lisa, Ash and Cinder celebrated Miriam's birthday!

Lisa and Ash also visited another lady, named Miriam, who recently passed away; "Funny how much we miss her," states Lisa. "She was so awesome. She was an Ambassador for Japan after World War II, spoke 5 languages, lived in Japan for 20 years, traveled the world and America! She even dated Ronald Reagan!"

According to Lisa, to provide visits for Silverado Hospice Care you have to be a Lend A Paw certified handler and dog and you also have to undergo training with Silverado. "The training has been shortened for the LAP teams because pet therapy volunteers can't do all the stuff regular volunteers can do. Our visits are limited to what our dogs can do." Lisa also states that she was only asked to visit Ruth once or twice a month. "But if you met her, you would understand why we go every week!"

If becoming a Lend A Paw volunteer and providing visits for the Silverado Hospice Care of Los Angeles interests you, you should contact Sharon Vincuilla, Director of the LAP program.

Story by Nathalie Seguin, photos by Lisa Erving.