Posted on 06/10/2017 6:42:02 AM PDT by SandRat
SIERRA VISTA — Adorned in a sparkly red, white and blue decorative collar, Hopie is quite the showstopper as she makes her way through Life Care, an assisted living and rehabilitation facility in Sierra Vista.
The 5-year-old collie is a regular visitor at assisted living, nursing and retirement homes throughout the community where she has managed to make a long list of friends.
During a recent therapy visit at Life Care, Duane Young, a Vietnam War veteran and Life Care resident, is the first person Hopie greets. Leaning forward in his wheelchair, Young cups her face in his hands and the two gaze into each other’s eyes as Young chats with his canine friend.
“I’m sorry I missed you the other day when you were here, but I was at a doctor’s appointment,” he said to Hopie’s sympathetic wag. “I love it when she visits us,” he added with a smile. “She is the sweetest dog I’ve ever seen. She warms my heart.”
As a certified therapy dog with more than 400 visits, Nehani Magic Hope — the dog known as Hopie — has been recognized by the American Kennel Club with a Distinguished Therapy Dog award as well as the Shining Star 2017 award by the Collie Club of America.
Owned by Jack and Jan Bauer, Hopie is accompanied by Jan when she’s out making her rounds.
“Her gentle demeanor and sweet personality make an ideal combination for therapy work,” Bauer said. “But at home she’s a little wild Indian. She seems to know when she’s doing therapy work and she takes it very, very seriously,” said Bauer. “I really believe this is her calling in life.”
On Tuesdays and Thursdays Hopie and Bauer visit different facilities throughout the area, alternating between six locations throughout the month.
Another Life Care resident, Rose Willis, breaks into a smile as Hopie walks up to her wheelchair and gently rests her head on Willis’s lap. “I’ve lived here for three years and always look forward to seeing Hopie,” she said. “She is like an angel that brings a lot of joy to a lot of people.”
Debi Steele is the Life Care activity director. “Hopie comes here every Thursday and we all look forward to seeing her. She brings smiles to everyone she visits.” Steele also noted that Jan and Hopie make a point of visiting residents who are bedridden and unable to get out.
“We have other therapy dogs that come here as well as Hopie and they are always welcome,” she added. “Most of our residents had dogs as family pets at one time and their faces light up as soon as one of the therapy dogs walk through the door.”
Bauer says that one of her greatest rewards is watching the light return to the eyes of the residents Hopie visits.
“I especially love going into the Alzheimer’s units and seeing the life come back into the their eyes and some even smile,” Bauer said. “It’s very, very rewarding to know that these visits make such a difference, even if it’s momentary.”
The residents would cherish seeing family too. The activity director at one of the nursing homes where I volunteer says more and more residents are just dumped off at the facility. No family members come to see them.
EXODUS 20:12
“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
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