Professor, dog nominated for volunteer award

For the past nine years, English professor Debbie Hanson and dog Wylie have brought comfort and companionship to the patients at the Good Samaritan Society - Sioux Falls Village nursing home.

As recognition for their work, Hanson and Wylie have been nominated for the 2011 Spirit of Volunteerism award.

"Debbie and Wylie are popular with staff, families and visitors," Marcia Brown, volunteer coordinator for Good Samaritan, said. "They are essentially members of the Good Samaritan Society-Village family. Wylie has been referred to as ‘our' dog – and one resident always calls him her boyfriend."

Hanson first became interested in pet therapy in college when she accompanied a professor to a Benedictine health center to visit her mother with dogs in tow.

"When we walked into the health center with the dogs, we had an instant reaction," Hanson said. "So I knew, long before it became popular, that this works."

When Hanson got Wylie 11 years ago, she knew that his outgoing nature would make him perfect for the job.

"He is gregarious to the point of being ridiculous," Hanson said.

According to Brown, having a dog like Wylie visit residents gives them a sense of joy and familiarity.

"Wylie encourages our residents that have had pets in their past to remember the emotional bonds an animal brings," Brown said. "Many residents that enjoy visits from Wylie feel the unconditional love that a pet can provide while strengthening the well-being of our residents."

Another reason Hanson became involved at Good Samaritan was to correct common misperceptions of people in nursing homes.

"People don't always treat older people with respect," Hanson said. "Just because someone is in a wheelchair, doesn't mean that they're not a vibrant, interesting person."

One of the things Hanson finds most rewarding about volunteering at nursing homes is visiting with Alzheimer's patients and learning from their perspective on life.

She recalled one visit where she could not remember the name of the last of the seven dwarves - Happy, naturally - and exclaimed "I hate it when that happens!"

The patient sitting next to her turned and said, "Don't worry, that happens to me all the time."

"To be able to laugh at your disability, when your disability is Alzheimer's, is amazing," Hanson said.

She witnessed another example of the strength of Alzheimer's patients when she encountered a woman whose husband had just died. To comfort her, two other patients took her by the hands and walked with her down the hallway.

"The mind might have been gone, but the heart was still there," Hanson said.

According to Hanson, care for the elderly should not just be relegated to doctors and nurses. It is a social responsibility for all citizens.

"People don't like to go into nursing homes because they don't want to think about ending up in one," Hanson said. "But if we take the steps now to improve them, they will be better when we do finally end up there. If pets are important to you, make sure now that they have a place in nursing homes."

Hansen and Wylie will be honored at the Good Samaritan Society-Communities of Sioux Falls Volunteer Recognition event on June 9, at the Good Samaritan Society National Campus in Sioux Falls. They will also be nominated for the National Good Samaritan Society Volunteer of the Year and, if selected, will be invited to attend the society's annual meeting.