A Beautiful Visit

On Wednesday night, Mom, Dad, and I visited the patients at Central State Psychiatric Hospital. The patients have come to expect my visits. As I laid on the floor waiting for them to approach me, a young lady entered the room, ran over, and laid down with me. She put her arms around my neck and hugged me. She spent a lot of time with me Wednesday night. She was not at all afraid of me, even though I was clearly bigger than she. I heard Mom ask Dad on the way home, "Did you say the way Sitka and the young lady were looking into each others eyes? There was a real connection with them." Dad replied, "Yes, I did."

Sometimes, psychiatric patients are afraid or do not trust humans, but they almost always trust me. Mom and Dad are continually amazed as they watch me work with the patients. I love my job and Mom and Dad love watching me perform the job GOD has called me to do.

Woofs and Wags,

Sitka

Face to Face

Recently while visiting patients, I was drawn to a sad, young lady. She had a small frame and a quiet demeanor. I pulled my Dad until he allowed me to "Go Visit" my new friend. As I approached, she gently came to her knees and our eyes locked. She held my face in her hands and softly spoke to me for more than 10 minutes.

Our "face to face" visit gave my friend a reason to smile. She was being treated in a psychiatric facility and longed to be home with her family and her own furry friends. I am thankful I was able to bring smiles to the heart of this precious young lady.

Every visit my family and I make is different. We pray GOD will continue to use us to make a difference in the lives of others. We thank each of our readers for your prayerful support as we continue to follow GOD's lead into the world around us.

Woofs and Wags,

Sitka

Visiting the Psych. Hospital

Most Wednesday nights my brother Nanuq and I spend our time at a local state psychiatric hospital. One of their employees met us at the Blackstone Arts and Crafts Festival where my brother and I spent the weekend being petted by everyone who needed "furry friend" attention. She asked if we would serve as therapy dogs for their facility. My mom filled out all the paperwork and sent them the verification for our certifications and we were quickly approved.

Each time we arrive we are excited to see our new friends. There are so many needs among this group; each person is special and unique. Sometimes it takes a while for my friends to realize we are there to help them, however, my brother Nanuq smiles with what Samoyed owners refer to as "a sammy smile" and I howl in my native malamute language and they just can not resist.

Our visits are never the same and lives are always touched and changed. The staff and doctors, as well as our parents stand amazed each week as they witness GOD use us. As therapy dogs we visit many different facilities, but this one has become our favorite, because the needs are so great.

The diversity of people and needs in psychiatric facilities seems to scare some therapy dog owners and other humans, too. Nanuq and I are thankful our parents heard and accepted GOD's call to enter without fear into a place of great need. We are both honored to have been chosen by the staff and doctors as therapy dogs for their facility. We take great pride in serving this community of hurting people.

Woofs and Wags,
Sitka