"TODAY..... " A Therapy Dog's Mission

Today.....

The car engine turns over; our journey begins.

Today we will be more than family pets;
Today we will wear our vests and have a short leash;
Today we will be a friend to everyone we meet;
Today we will wag our way into a patient's life;
Today a stranger will reach for us in delight.

We will be stroked by someone who fears the future;
We shall look into eyes filled with boredom;
We will listen to sad stories;
We will cheer someone and offer a comforting paw;
We will transform suffering into joy;
We will offer wet-nose kisses to those who want it.
We will cuddle a lonely person;
We will "stand-in" for a patient's beloved pet;
We shall bring relief from suffering and pain.

For a short time we will soothe and calm;
for a brief moment we shall lift someone's spirit;
For this one hour.......
We will bring comfort to those we visit.
....because we are visitation dogs.

written by Dottie Burke

Poem to a Downs Syndrome Baby

This poem was the inspiration behind the children's book, "My Sister, Alicia May", by Nancy Tupper Ling.

Our Fragile Emissary
by: Nancy Tupper Ling

With modern screening and such
they wonder why
you're here, on this earth
in our home
and in our arms,
after all, anyone
with any sense would have resolved
this problem of you
pre-birth, pre-pain.

Blonde Beauty,
tiny as you are,
you catch their stares,
strangers' second glances
into tender baby blues.
And your young
sweet ears hear whisperings
("Down's", "defects")
words dropped loosley
at extra-chromosomed girls.

With such stinging receptions
how we long to shelter you,
surround you; keep your
gentle smiles to ourselves.
Instead, we hold you
up, for others to see;
let you our fragile emissary
speak to an imperfect world.

A Blessing For Our Family

This early summer our family experienced the publication of the book, "My Sister, Alicia May" written by Nancy Tupper Ling and illustrated by Shennen Bersani. This is no ordinary book to my family. This is because this is the story of my grandneices, Rachel and Alicia May, and Alicia has Downs Syndrome. While it is a children's book, I have yet to find an adult who has not enjoyed the book and its beautiful illustrations. Sensitively told the book speaks of the sisterhood between Rachel and Alicia - their love, the difficulties, and the fun. A third sister, Taryn, is pictured in the book also.

We are overjoyed to have Nancy and Shennen bring such joy to our family and others. Nancy grew up with Rachel, Alicia, and Taryn's mother. Probably neither girl realized in those childhood schooldays that their early connection would result in such happiness for so many people, especially us. Our early sadness has turned into a joyous family mission. As the book is shared among our friends or at book signings, a wonderful thing begins to happen! Parents now have a way of helping their children understand differences among themselves and others through the story; old people who had Downs siblings tell of their loved ones who had so few opportunities in "the old days." The developmental and healing aspects of the book cause us to marvel at how a small colorful book can make such a difference.

For more about how Nancy Tupper Ling decided to write the book, please see my next blog or check out her blog.

My First Blog

Hello everybody. This is my first blog.

Publish Post