Therapy dog Chester visits the Helen Kaplan Center
Residents at the Helen Kaplan Center recently welcomed Chester, a certified therapy dog from Love on a Leash, and his owner Barbara Johnston for a visit designed to encourage social interaction, engagement, and connection.
Throughout the visit, residents took turns greeting Chester, the large Leonberger, petting him and saying hello. Some people enjoyed watching him from afar.
For Barbara, the purpose of therapy dogs is simple.
“They bring smiles to people’s faces,” Barbara said. “He gets people to talk and opens up conversation when you’re around a group.”
Barbara explained that therapy dogs need the right personality before they start training. Chester’s gentle nature and calm demeanor help him connect easily with the people he meets.
Winnie Zvonik had a wonderful time with Chester. Barbara encouraged her to walk Chester down the hallway, and Winnie happily agreed, smiling as she held his leash and guided Chester beside her wheelchair.
“I like to do that because it gives people a sense of control to hold the leash and give him commands,” Barbara said.
At the end of the visit, residents received a card with Chester’s picture and some information about him, including his breed and the year he was born, 2017, as a keepsake.
“Everybody loved it,” said Inez McDannell, a QIDP at the Helen Kaplan Center. “He’s a sweet, pleasant dog. He was calm with the people we support, and everyone had a chance to pet him and spend a little bit of time with him. Everybody seemed to enjoy it.”
Thank you to the Doerler family for introducing us to Chester and Barbara, and Volunteer Services for organizing the visit!