There are some stories that cannot fail to touch even the most cold-hearted and this is surely one.
The tale of how Donuts the golden retriever helps Alzheimer's patients.
The two-and-a-half year old arrived at the Résidence Pierre-Bonnef in the eastern French city of Belfort last August.
The Résidence is a home for the elderly and, as its website says, caters in particular for the physically or psychologically dependent.
Among them of course are a number suffering from Alzheimer's, and the presence of Donuts has proven to be a boost for both patients and staff according to the national daily Le Monde.
It gives the example of an 83-year-old woman with advanced dementia who walks for hours on end without any purpose.
"Just a couple of days ago the dog helped her sit down for just long enough to eat," writes the paper.
"The woman was briefly reassured, stroking the head and chest of the animal, while a nurse fed her the only meal she would agree to eat."
Donuts was donated to the home by Handi'Chiens, an organisation founded in 1989 that trains dogs to assist the disabled.
Over the past couple of decades it has trained more than 1,000 dogs (a process which takes two years) that have gone on to help children and adults with different physical and mental disabilities.
And the testimonials as to how they have changed and enriched the lives of many people are both touching and inspirational.
You can read some of them here (in French) to see what difference dogs such as Donuts have made in the everyday lives of so many.
Their presence in homes for the elderly is relatively new in France, but growing apparently and for good reason as Geneviève Breton, Donuts' guardian, explained to Le Monde.
"Thanks to him we are able to make a link with these elderly people who are so completely lost in their own silence, that might otherwise not exist," she said.
"While caressing and kissing him, they're also unknowingly helping their articulation," she added.
"He doesn't judge, instead he looks them in the eyes and offers up love."
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2 comments:
Donuts is a spitting image of my dog Milo!!!!
It’s really a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m glad that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
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