of the Year
of the Year
of the Year
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Linda Louise Tschida, BS, RN<br />
RN, 5C Family Medicine<br />
Manager: Megan Boyle<br />
Linda’s commitment to community service is remarkable. In<br />
<strong>the</strong> past years nurses have been recognized for <strong>the</strong> work<br />
<strong>the</strong>y have done on medical missions and outside <strong>of</strong> our<br />
immediate community. Linda is a nurse who serves in her<br />
own backyard. She thinks globally and acts locally. When<br />
you think about <strong>the</strong> stories you are about to read, keep in<br />
mind that Linda works full-time as a bedside nurse on 5C.<br />
She does <strong>the</strong>se remarkable tasks in addition to her regular<br />
work schedule.<br />
As I volunteer in a variety <strong>of</strong> settings, my desire is to be<br />
available for people in ways that are meaningful to <strong>the</strong>m.<br />
I have not always known exactly where <strong>the</strong> adventure will<br />
lead me, whom I will meet, or what <strong>the</strong> outcome will be,<br />
but it has never failed to enrich my life.<br />
Linda Tschida<br />
Linda does not usually perform her community service<br />
activities alone, but accompanied by one <strong>of</strong> her four-legged<br />
helpers. Linda and her labradoodles, Laci and Becca, make<br />
appearances at hospitals, schools, jails, nursing homes, and<br />
homeless shelters. Laci and Becca are certified as Animal<br />
Assisted Therapy (AAT) dogs that undergo rigorous training<br />
and maintain bi-annual competencies. Linda describes how she and her dogs impact those in need:<br />
During <strong>the</strong> months <strong>of</strong> December to March each year, our church combines efforts with o<strong>the</strong>r churches to coordinate and maintain an evening<br />
shelter for up to 40 homeless people each night to provide volunteers, dinner, and a place to sleep with breakfast in <strong>the</strong> morning. Once a week<br />
during this time, I take one <strong>of</strong> my dogs (Laci or Becca) and we go as a <strong>the</strong>rapy team just to visit, play games, talk, and hang out with <strong>the</strong> people<br />
staying <strong>the</strong>re for <strong>the</strong> night and with <strong>the</strong> staff. Many people spend more time with my dog than with me (and I understand that – I think my<br />
dogs are special too!) Recently when we entered <strong>the</strong> shelter, Becca paused and turned to <strong>the</strong> right, not <strong>the</strong> left as usual. I could tell she was on<br />
a mission so I let her lead me. Without hesitation she went to two gentlemen on a couch. She looked at both men, gently got up on <strong>the</strong> couch<br />
between <strong>the</strong>m, and carefully leaned on <strong>the</strong> man sitting on our left. As she leaned into him, he leaned into her, and without saying a word he put<br />
his arms around her and hugged her. He was silent and for <strong>the</strong> next 20 minutes nei<strong>the</strong>r he nor Becca moved. Tears started to fall from his face.<br />
O<strong>the</strong>r people from <strong>the</strong> shelter walked by and said that <strong>the</strong>y were glad Becca was <strong>the</strong>re because "John really was depressed". After 20 minutes,<br />
John began talking to me about his family, his dogs, his past occupations, his fears about where he would go after <strong>the</strong> shelter closed, and ideas<br />
The Community Service category is described as "A nurse who makes significant pr<strong>of</strong>essional or voluntary contributions to<br />
<strong>the</strong> community. Through community service, <strong>the</strong> nurse transfers knowledge in a manner that promotes dialogue, open<br />
communication and interdisciplinary relationships within <strong>the</strong> community setting."