By Joanne Dorr
The Haldimand Press
CALEDONIA—Eliza Doolittle, a Cairn Terrier, is a highly qualified canine who administers her weekly dose of ‘doggie medicine’ to the residents of RVilla Caledonia Retirement Living (RCRL).
Every Monday morning for the past 10 years, Eliza, alongside her therapy dog handler/volunteer Catherine Anne Edwards, does her rounds with the residents of RCRL. Whether the residents enjoy some lap time, a cuddle, or take her with their walkers for a stroll through the facility, Eliza builds a powerful bond with everyone.
RCRL resident Bernice enjoys seeing Eliza every Monday and believes, “People don’t know the work that goes into training a therapy dog.”
CALEDONIA—From left, posing with Eliza is Catherine Anne Edwards, St. John’s Ambulance Dog Handler/Volunteer, RVilla resident Laura Mahoney, and General Manager of RVilla Lisa Slote.
—Haldimand Press photos by Joanne Dorr.
Eliza holds St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog and Canine Good Neighbour certificates. This combined training has taught Eliza and Catherine the dos and don’ts of bringing dogs into a hospital or into a resident’s home. This includes being mindful of others’ comfort levels with dogs. Edwards explains, “Eliza knows who might be the most vulnerable,” adding that Eliza’s training helps her approach these vulnerable people in a calm and quiet manner.
Eliza is also capable of alerting for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). According to John Hopkins Medicine, MRSA refers to a group of staph bacteria that are resistant to common antibiotics. In situations like these, Eliza deploys her safety protocol training to identify these patients to Edwards through a series of behaviours. In these cases, Edwards is able observe standard safety protocols like additional handwashing to minimize transmission.
Outside of her training, Eliza brings unique opportunities for collaboration and purpose to the people she serves. As an avid sewer, Edwards likes to make different outfits for Eliza and on occasion she has solicited the advice of RCRL residents. Edwards explains, “Each of Eliza’s outfits were made with the help of residents who sewed in their homes or previous work lives.” Edwards adds she would not have been able to make Eliza’s outfits without their help.
Edwards takes great pride in the work she does with Eliza and adds, “I consider it a privilege to be able to share her with people in the later stages of their lives.”
In addition to RCRL, Eliza has volunteered at hospitals and hospices helping ill, injured, and palliative patients.
To learn more about St John Ambulance Therapy Dog Training email info@sja.ca.
