Today we had our first nursing home visit of 2011. We hadn’t been on a visit since right after Halloween, but Riley still acted like a pro. Everybody still remembered her and she remembered them. We met a younger lady (which is strange for this nursing home because it is not a rehab facility) who really liked Riley. Riley’s favorite resident was not there anymore. She could have been in the hospital, gone home, or died. I’m unfortunately thinking the latter because she was quite sick the last time we were there to visit. 😦
I didn’t have a photographer with me and I still have concerns about the privacy issues, so there were no pictures from today’s visit. I did get a picture of Riley at home afterward in her Therapy Dogs International bandana.
She gets so excited to go to the nursing home. She knows where she’s going (or at least that she’s going to “work”) when she gets her bandana on. She started whining out of excitement when we pulled into the nursing home parking lot today.
Adventures of a Cattle Dog 
You must be so proud of Riley. I think it is awesome you and Riley do this important work. Kudos!
Spike and Dru have the same bandanas and have two visits scheduled tomorrow. Riley looks so dashing in her work uniform!
what a great job sweet riley!!!!
that must be so Furry COOL to be a therapy doggie and put smiles on peoples faces!paws up!tula
Oh boy Riley! I wish my dogs could be as good as you so they could do this!
This is so sweet. Good for you and Riley. He is pretty special, isn't he? It shows how much work you both have done together. I bet he makes everyone's day so much brighter. Which is no little thing. You have a lot to be proud of.
Riley, you ARE cute in your bandanna. That is such a nice thing for you to do with your Mom.Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
Riley that is awesome, WE are sure that they are as excited to see you… You do look great in your bandana..Big Sloppy KissesGus, Louie and Callie
Yes you look very cute in your bandana :-)Wizz
Riley I have to agree with everyone else…you look very cute in your bandana!
Riley, you look great in your bandanna! We get really excited when we get to go to the nursing home, too. We go with a group of dogs and we all have our own fan clubs! There's nothing like nursing home night to make you feel like a popular pup!Bunny
Dat is very impawtant work you do. Our former pack member, Angel, used to visit nursing homes too. Now she is wit da angels in Heaven and doing da same work up dere!Love,Amber
Oh no, I wouldn't be takin' no fotos theres. I knows somebuddy dat gots in trubles doin' dat.My mum's uncle is in his 60s and him in a nursing home…him had a massive brain injury.I am so proud of Riley, I soooooooo couldn't be doing dat kinds of stuffs.Puddles
Way to go, Riley! What an awesome thing the two of you are doing together…and Riley most certainly does look cute in her bandana!
We're really behind on our visiting. We're glad Riley is feeling so much better and was able to do her therapy visits. Mama is most interested in that SpotBot, not that we ever have accidents in the house. Well, Abby did recently for exactly the same reason as Riley: mama was too stoopid-headed with sleep to get out of bed when asked. Mama just likes household gadgets. Hope Riley stays healthy and well regulated!Jed & Abby
Riley, you're adorable in your bandana! What an important job you have. 🙂
Awww, Riley, what a nice thing for you to do!
Good job Riley, what a special doggyBenny & Lily
Khute is an understatement!Hugz&Khysses,Khyra
We are so proud of you Riley. We're sure you make lots of people happy.
You look GREAT, my friend! It is so nice that you make others happy….that's what it is all about, right?
The toy you asked about is a DuraPlay toy from Hartz. Oskar has 2 and they rock. He destroys all toys, but these have really stood up.Here's a link: http://www.hartz.com/Hartz_Products/Dog_Products/Toys/Toss_and_Retrieves/3270099393_hartz_dura_play_ball.aspx
Riley~We bet you just make their day really special when you go and visit them~Your bandana is really pretty too!!hugs,IzZY, Josie, TriXie and Anakin Man
Riley IS adorable in her bandana, and I think it's great that you all visit the home to spread some cheer!!
Therapy work is so rewarding – or so my brother the therapy dog tells me! Felix and Mom visit the old folks homes too. Mom (like you) was not comfortable taking pictures of the residents without permission, so what she has been doing is taking the pictures, having them printed, then leaving a copy with the home admin for the family to have, and a note that she would love to use the photo, if they agreed. So far, most families have been happy to let us use the photo. It's a bit of extra work, but we know the families appreciate getting a copy of the photos and it allows us to continue taking these gorgeous photos!
Riley must do great work! Our Mama says she used to work in a nursing home, and one of the resideents' daughters would come visit with her greyhound, and she always made everyone so happy!
Calhoun and I actually don't visit anymore. I took another job about a year after we started. The commute pretty much takes up the time we used to visit. I could probably do some visits in city where I work but I just haven't made that transition yet. Love Riley's bandana- too cute!Mamma Heartbeat