Mickey, a seven-year-old German shepherd mix breed from Mexico, visits the 91原创 Senior Resources Society weekly with his handler, Donna Wood, as a therapy dog.
Wood, who previously looked after housing for Independent and Supportive Housing, registered her pup with the St. John Ambulance therapy dog program five years ago.
Mickey comes from La Paz, Mexico, the capital city of the Bja California Sur, a Mexican state on a peninsula south of California.
He survived with other stray dogs at a power plant, thanks to the kindness of the worker who managed the plant and visitors. One pair of visitors asked if they could have Mickey, and took him on their travels. Eventually, they would set up the trailer where Wood was also staying with her husband. Mickey had escaped and met Wood. When his first owner found Mickey, they offered him to Wood.
鈥淗e was literally given to us,鈥� Wood recalled.
She took him home and he got to experience the normal, day-to-day life of a dog, visiting dog parks, attending training classes, and learning tricks for treats.
鈥淚 retired when I was 60, and we got him when he was nine months old. When he turned two, I started doing the program and now we visit schools and hospitals and care homes,鈥� she said.
Visiting the 91原创 senior society is a new addition to their schedule, having just started in December. But, Wood said Mickey has been enjoying it, as well as the seniors.
Some even smiling when Mickey comes by, when then usually don鈥檛, commented Smitty Miller, manager of programs and member services.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 realize what an impact [the program] makes. I see people who come here and sometimes only do one thing or sit in the same seat, you never see them smile鈥� Mickey brings a smile to every single one of their faces,鈥� she said.
鈥淭hat physical connection with another warm body has made all the difference for our members and staff.鈥�
A key memory for Wood was a visit to the Willowbrook mall, when a woman with Alzheimer鈥檚 began crying at the sight of Mickey.
鈥淪he was crying and talking [in Chinese], I couldn鈥檛 understand what she was saying. Her husband explained that she wanted to pet Mickey. So she got down and pet him, and he sits there to let her, and she smiled. It was just really nice,鈥� Wood shared.
Wood said she enjoys the dog therapy program because it gets her and Mickey out of the house and socialize.
鈥淚t鈥檚 good to know how well he gets along with everybody, and they love him,鈥� she said, joking that it also give Mickey a break from the new energetic puppy at home.
Mickey and Wood regularly visit the 91原创 senior society Wednesday afternoons, before going to the Willowbrook Shopping Centre to the dentist鈥檚 office.
They are also in the process to arrange dates for local school visits.
To volunteer in the dog therapy program, a dog must be at least one-year-old (preferably two), be updated on vaccines, live in a permanent home for at least six months, among other requirements, according to the St. John Ambulance website.
A handler must be at least 18 years old to enroll and attend orientation and evaluation sessions, and participate in weekly facility visits.
People can learn more at .
READ ALSO: 91原创 writer鈥檚 debut LGBTQ romance novel releases Feb. 6
IN OTHER NEWS: 5th annual Giving Hearts Gala to help 91原创 hospital buy ceiling lift system
