WE STAYED

By Sue Grundfest, Founder and President

Pet Partners of Las Vegas/Love Dog Adventures www.petpartnersoflasvegas.org Pet Partners of Las Vegas/Love Dog Adventures volunteered over 400 hours to comfort our neighbors in October 2017, at the most vulnerable time for our community.

As part of the Pet Partners Animal Assisted Crisis Response team, we are trained to be there when most needed. But this time everything was different. When the coronavirus (COVID-19) hit, we had to stay away. Our last official visit was on March 14. We had to become creative in how we served our community. Videos, Zoom sessions, notes, games and outdoor meet & greets were set up.

The greatest therapy animals are born not made, and they want to work. It is equally as important for us to nurture them while they are on sabbatical. Their routine has been disrupted and they feel the loss of not being out in the field. We make sure they are getting enough exercise and can interact with people, even if from across the street. It may be an entire year until we return to a full schedule and our job now is to be a positive presence in people’s lives. We are now resuming some very well managed assignments. Especially critical are visits with first responders to give them a much needed break. Pet Partners has always had the most stringent infection prevention standards and we have added additional COVID guidelines to be as careful as possible.

As we stay home for the benefit of ourselves and others, we do our best to get through this frustrating and challenging time together.

TEDDY: “I want to be there for my kids, but I stay home for them. They miss me and I miss them. We are so alike, perfect in our imperfect ways. When they see how tiny I am, they are so gentle. People say I teach them how to be kind. They understand me. But virtual hugs are all I have to give until we can be together again. Will you pet me again? I sure hope so.”

BENNY: “I have been a therapy dog for ten years. I used to work three or four days a week and when there was a crisis, I made people feel less sad. I am an older dog now but I never stayed home so long. Not even when I had my strokes! Mom said we can’t go back to work yet. Something about a virus. So I stay home. Mom said I could go somewhere soon. Is soon far away? I hope not. I miss you … stay safe.”

SPENCER: “I don’t want to sound ungrateful for the love and attention I receive at home, but it doesn’t compare with the affection showered on me as a visiting therapy cat. I’m longing for the day I can be in the glow of adoration from my fans again.”

DAISY: “I miss my kids so much. Going to school and having them pet me, love on me and walk me always makes my week. I hope I get to see them soon.”

BUNNY: “When I’m getting ready for bed in my hutch, I cuddle up in my blanket and remember the huge crowds that would be so excited when they saw me. I wonder where my nice older friends are and why I can’t visit with them. They are always surprised when they see I am a real live bunny. I love my job!”

Visit www.facebook.com/Pet-Partners-of-Las-Vegas-Love-Dog-Adventures-619523368178529 to view the numerous videos of how the therapy pets are helping our Las Vegas community.

Our 3rd annual Swimathon raising $ for canine cancer ‘Paws for Change’ is coming up on Friday, November 6th. It will be smaller this year due to COVID (no spectators watching) but we’re going to do our best – the dogs will have fun and we’ll raise as much money as we can! A few adoptable dogs from Pawtastic Friends will be swimming and hoping to find their forever homes. ♥ Help us make this event a success!!

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