Two good deeds for the price of one

By Malka Eisenberg

Issue of October 30 2009/ 12 Cheshvan 5770

A unique program at Woodmere Rehabilitation and Health Care Center combines the commandment of visiting the sick (bikur cholim) with the admonition to protect living creatures from suffering (tzaar baalei chaim).

Gelsy Freese and Michele Giuliano of the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter’s Pet Therapy and Humane Education Program bring trained, rescued animals to visit the patients at Woodmere Rehab once a month. The program has been running for over ten years, according to Freese, and occurs on the third or fourth Thursday of the month.

“We give them something to smile about,” explained Freese. “They play ball with the pets, they hold the leash, whatever makes them happy we do. They give the dogs treats and the dogs do tricks. We also have a big black Labrador that gives hugs.”

“I like dogs especially,” said Barbara Goldstein, a patient at Woodmere Rehab, who sat in her wheelchair in the lobby, gray hair neatly coifed; glasses perched on her nose.

“I like cats, too, but mostly dogs. I enjoy it,” she said. “Some of them are really cute. It makes me happy. When I was younger I had mostly dogs when I was growing up.  They should come more often because I don’t see them that much.”

Another patient, Leatha Duhon, concurred in a Louisiana accent from her wheelchair in the lobby.

“She [Freese] comes in with these two Pomeranians - I used to have a Pomeranian; they’re sweet little dogs, I like them. I had dogs back home. It’s fun to see. They bring in a big one on a leash and then the other two. That is so cute. I don’t much care for cats.”    Freese has a BA in special education and elementary education. She brings three or four animals in for each session. The animals are legally owned by the Town of Hempstead and are housed by one of the employees of the Animal Shelter.

“They’re trained cats and dogs,” explained Leba Sonneberg, director of marketing and community relations at Woodmere Rehab. “They’re so tame, I never saw anything like it. It’s so remarkable. They sit on the residents’ laps and don’t move. It’s very therapeutic.”

Each of the animals has a story. Brandi, one of the Pomeranians, was found roaming the streets six years ago and brought back to the shelter and adopted. Chanel, the other Pomeranian, was neglected and turned in to the shelter by her owner eight years ago. The black hugging Labrador retriever, Monti, was brought in by its owner eight years ago and Keeva, a three-legged cat, was brought in a year and a half ago.

In another program, volunteers come with their own pets to visit the residents. This program was started when Anthony Matese, Woodmere Rehab’s director of therapeutic recreation, posted a sign in the Barrie Inn, a local dog grooming and boarding facility, about four months ago.

“It got a lot of people interested,” said Barrie Inn owner Ellen Adler.

She said she is aware of four or five people who participate in the program.

“It was a very positive response. They just bring dogs; people are more allergic to cats,” she said. “People at the center really enjoy the animals.”

Freese and Giuliano also teach Humane Education to children in schools. Students learn “pet care, pet safely and pet responsibility,” said Freese.

“A lot are afraid of dogs,” she added.

Sonneberg said that anyone interested in bringing their pets to the center should contact them. A letter of immunization is required.

“That’s all they have to do,” Sonneberg said, “[They can] bring their pet when they want to and walk around.”

“It’s a great program,” said Freese. “If I make one person smile a day, I did my job. That makes me a happy camper.”