Lily Comfort Dog

Christmas is a the most joyous time of the year, but for some, it’s the loneliest.  Residents at Nursing Homes, the Homeless, and those serving in our Military are often without their family at Christmas.  Holiday songs are prevalent, and those such as “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “Blue Christmas” are constant reminders of their losses.

Lily has been visiting Barbara for over a year. Barbara is a long term resident at a Skilled Nursing Facility. She has a medical condition that does not allow her mobility. She is basically in a bed all the time, and she has been enduring this for three years now. Barbara is a beautiful person, but she doesn’t receive any visits from her family. The Christmas Season is a constant reminder for Barbara that her family chooses not to visit her.

This Monday afternoon, Lily and her Ministry Team of Linda Cinquegrana (Handler and Lily’s Top Dog) and Linda Gustafson (Lily’s Prayer Partner) made their regular visit to the Skilled Nursing Facility. They came armed with pictures of Lily with some of her favorite residents and Lily’s Christmas Card. They visited Barbara, as usual. Barbara is one of Lily’s favorite people, and Barbara loves Lily as much as Lily loves her.

When Lily and her Ministry Team presented Barbara with her gifts, they were not prepared for Barbara’s reaction. She had an medical episode that required assistance from the machines and nurses…and she could not stop crying. Linda and Linda were worried they did something wrong, but she soon regained her composure and had her regular visit with Lily. At the end of the visit, Barbara shared that she became overwhelmed because her visits with Lily are so special, and she couldn’t believe the love she felt. Lily and her Ministry Team made Barbara’s day, and she said that Lily’s visits keep her going.

Among the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Season, Lily’s Ministry Teams have remembered those that are shut in. This week was such a wonderful week of visits with our favorite people. So many smiles from Lily, her handlers, and her friends. This is why Lily’s Team, and all the Comfort Dog Teams, do what they do. It is such a joy to bring happiness to others.

Wishing you and your family many, many Christmas Blessings.

Leave a comment, below. We’d love to hear from you.

Comfort Dog Handlers are a special breed in themselves. They have a love for dogs and the people they serve. Comfort Dog Handlers are passionate, and they take their responsibilities seriously. It becomes a way of life, and its hard to separate these behaviors when not handling a dog.

I got to wondering how you might spot a Comfort Dog Handler in a crowd when they are not handling a dog. Here’s my Top Ten List of Ways:

Top Ten Ways to Spot a Comfort Dog Handler in a Crowd

10. They always have a lint roller on them.

9. They tell their children and grandchildren to “Leave It.”

8. They are always looking for a photographic opportunity.

7. They have “poop” bags in one pocket and Dog Business Cards in the other.

6. When walking with someone, they start off with a “With Me.”

5. They carry a small squeaky toy in their pocket, and have used it during family photographs.

4. They say to their spouse “Sit. Stay.”

3. They smile at strangers.

2. They are used to being greeted last on Sunday mornings.

And the number one way to spot a Comfort Dog Handler in a crowd is:

1. They have hearts as big as the sky, and often drop everything to visit the suffering and lonely on a minutes’ notice.

Do you know a Comfort Dog Handler or are you one? If so, what qualities do they have? Leave a comment, below. We would love to hear from you.

Christmas time is about the birth of Jesus, but we also give each other presents to celebrate His birth. I often buy Lily gifts, like bones and balls, but this year, Lily gave me a gift I wasn’t expecting.

Lily’s Ministry

Lily helps us to connect with people. She’s a conversation starter. We start by asking those we come in contact with if they would like to pet her. The conversation usually goes on from there. Some of the usual questions are, “How old is she?” “What type of dog is she?” and “What does she eat?” But sometimes, people tell us little tidbits about themselves and what they are feeling. If you are a good listener, you can pick up on these hints, such as that they are lonely, sad, feeling hopeless, scared, or other emotions. This gives Lily’s Handler the opportunity to ask some questions, empathize, and perhaps pray with the person.

Millie

Lily and I met Millie last year. She was suffering from ovarian cancer, but she was having a good day. After the initial questions were asked and answered, Millie told us about her life and some things about herself. Millie loved animals, so she and Lily really hit it off.

As we continued to visit in the next months, Millie had good and bad days. On the good days, Millie would tell the nurses and staff that Lily was a Deacon at our church (I told her she was a staff member at Good Shepherd), and we talked about her favorite bible verses and her family. On the bad days, not much conversation was held, but Lily would nuzzle her hand and Millie would oblige her with a pet on the head. I would end our visit by praying with Millie and asking God to ease her pain and provide her with comfort and strength.

During this time of visiting Millie, my own dear mother started losing her long battle with Congestive Heart Failure. Lily and I would visit Mom after our visits with others and Millie, and we would chat about Mom’s faith, her favorite hymns, and her favorite Bible verses, among other things.

Mom went to be with her Lord on September 23, 2015; Millie followed the week after. It was a double loss for me. But, I continued to visit the nursing homes and see our regulars. Walking in to the Nursing Home after Mom’s passing was the hardest thing I ever did. But Lily made it easier. After all, I was on a mission.

The Gift

Lily gave me the momentum to visit people that are suffering, and the ability to grow in compassion for them. Without Lily, I could never do what I do, such as visiting the sick and elderly. Often times, I don’t feel like going out with Lily, but those are some of the best days for visits. Jesus knows what we need, and he puts us in places where we need to be. Because of Lily and her ministry, I was able to provide comfort and compassion to Millie and my own mother when they needed it the most.

Paul tells us, in Philippians 2: 1-5, how to proceed with our Christian duties:

1 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any affection or mercy, 2 complete my joy and be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose. 3 Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. 4 Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. 5 You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had.

Because of Lily, we have made contact with many people who are suffering and lonely. I find myself now visiting longer with some of our people. They pet Lily and tell me what they are feeling. I listen, and then take the opportunity to pray with them. We leave with smiles and promises to visit again, which I always keep.

Without Lily, I would never have had this experience. God knew what Millie and Mom needed, and he put me and Lily in place to provide some comfort.

This is the gift Lily gave me this Christmas. I look forward to the many more opportunities Lily and I will have to provide compassion and Christian love to others.

What motivates you to follow Jesus’ example to serve others? Please comment below. We would love to hear from you.