Volunteering at Bradford Valley Community, in Bradford Ontario, is a great way for Parker to start the week. On Mondays, he gets an extra dose of treats and attention. Carol, his owner, is just as happy for the opportunity to bring a little extra joy to the long-term care residents who live at Bradford Valley.
For the past six years, Carol and Parker have been volunteering together. Carol enrolled her King Cavalier Spaniel with St. John's Ambulance to become a therapy dog. Being a therapy dog runs in Parker's family, and his calm demeanour is what led Carol to go through the certification process. Since then, she has been volunteering in long-term care homes and other settings as a way to give back to the community.
Sienna recognizes the time, energy and commitment of people like Carol who contribute to helping organizations improve the lives of others. Volunteers at Sienna Senior Living play an essential role in connecting residents to the local community. It’s also an opportunity for people outside of the care community to cultivate friendships and benefit from the experiences and wisdom of our residents.
Carol spends about an hour each week visiting residents at Bradford Valley with Parker. At ten years old, Parker is well-trained and used to many different sites and sounds. Lots of people, different sounds, and even wheelchairs whizzing by don't bother him at all.
“I look for the smiling faces, which aren’t hard to find,” says Carol. “Parker is small, fluffy and as soon as the residents see us coming, the residents light up."
Being around pets, especially for seniors, can have many benefits. The bond between animals and people can run as deep as any human relationship. Animals are a source of companionship and have even been shown to positively impact a person's physical and emotional health.
“Volunteering with Parker is such a win-win,” says Carol. “As soon as residents start patting him, I can see the difference it makes. There is even a resident who keeps dog treats handy for when we visit."
Sienna is grateful to all of the volunteers in B.C., Saskatchewan and Ontario, who make a difference by gifting their time and our long-term care homes are steadily welcoming community members who want to give back.
“Our purpose at Sienna is to cultivate happiness in daily life for our residents, and our volunteers are helping us achieve this goal," says Cathy VanBeek, Bradford Valley Executive Director. "Our team members and residents welcome members of the community who want to be a part of our home. There is no shortage of activities and opportunities to get involved with us."
Check out the Volunteering at Sienna webpage to learn more about the volunteer opportunities in long-term care.
