Pet outreach visits make a senior citizen feel useful while her small dog touches the lives of disabled individuals.

by Animal Medical Center

Over the past four to five years, Ruth and her Yorkshire Terrier, Tomino, have been visiting facilities for people with disabilities.  Ruth got involved as a pet outreach volunteer after retiring from her job.  She was looking for a more worthwhile activity than constantly meeting friends for lunch.

At a day treatment program, Ruth and Tomino visited two women who were deaf and unable to speak.  Ruth would hold Tomino, and the ladies would pet him and smile.  Their sign language interpreter told Ruth that they loved her dog.  After playing with Tomino, they’d hug and kiss Ruth and wave goodbye as she left.

During another visit, a young man with Down Syndrome was too afraid to come near Tomino.  Finally he agreed to look at the dog, and by the end of the visit he was petting Tomino and really enjoying it.

The pet outreach program makes Ruth feel useful and keeps her active. She’s proud of herself for doing something new.

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