Lifting Spirits – One Wag at a Time

On her first morning in her new home at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, Kiyla woke up each of the residents in her care, letting them know she’d be there all day just for the petting and love.  Lots of naps, ear and tummy rubs, big sighs of contentment. 

The residents, who having been waiting on Kiyla’s arrival for almost two months, will experience her almost constant tail wagging and a bright happy face telling them they’re perfect and oh-so loved.  They might not recognize it, but they’ll also experience an increased sense of well-being, lower blood pressure, less stress, loneliness, boredom and overall depression.

And, that’s just the residents.  The staff will also benefit from having Kiyla around.  Residents who are less depressed and more engaged in life make their job easier.  But it’s not just that … it can be difficult working every day in the home-like setting of the memory support “neighborhood” at VMRC where residents spend most of their time in the common area/living room.  Everyone becomes like family.  And, in the past two weeks they’ve experienced the death of ten residents.  Ms. Kiyla, just by hanging around, will provide a bright spot of hope to everyone on the floor.

Kiyla started her journey to VMRC as a homeless gal at Richmond Animal League.  Yanked from death row by RAL and through the combined efforts of Service Dog 411, dog trainer Dee Bogetti and RAL’s Sarah Clinton, Kiyla now has the best job ever … making people feel good.  After meeting all the residents and staff at yesterday’s homecoming … Ms. Kiyla was headed over to Human Resources to pick up her ID badge as the newest member of the team.

You can view Kiyla's training progress on Sarah's blog.

If you would like more information about service or therapy dogs and how they might benefit you or a loved one, please contact sue@servicedog411.com or visit our website.