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Linda Louise Tschida, BS, RN RN, 5C Family Medicine Manager: Megan Boyle Linda’s commitment to community service is remarkable. In the past years nurses have been recognized for the work they have done on medical missions and outside of our immediate community. Linda is a nurse who serves in her own backyard. She thinks globally and acts locally. When you think about the stories you are about to read, keep in mind that Linda works full-time as a bedside nurse on 5C. She does these remarkable tasks in addition to her regular work schedule. As I volunteer in a variety of settings, my desire is to be available for people in ways that are meaningful to them. I have not always known exactly where the adventure will lead me, whom I will meet, or what the outcome will be, but it has never failed to enrich my life. Linda Tschida Linda does not usually perform her community service activities alone, but accompanied by one of her four-legged helpers. Linda and her labradoodles, Laci and Becca, make appearances at hospitals, schools, jails, nursing homes, and homeless shelters. Laci and Becca are certified as Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) dogs that undergo rigorous training and maintain bi-annual competencies. Linda describes how she and her dogs impact those in need: During the months of December to March each year, our church combines efforts with other churches to coordinate and maintain an evening shelter for up to 40 homeless people each night to provide volunteers, dinner, and a place to sleep with breakfast in the morning. Once a week during this time, I take one of my dogs (Laci or Becca) and we go as a therapy team just to visit, play games, talk, and hang out with the people staying there for the night and with the staff. Many people spend more time with my dog than with me (and I understand that – I think my dogs are special too!) Recently when we entered the shelter, Becca paused and turned to the right, not the left as usual. I could tell she was on 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 the couch between them, and carefully leaned on the man sitting on our left. As she leaned into him, he leaned into her, and without saying a word he put his arms around her and hugged her. He was silent and for the next 20 minutes neither he nor Becca moved. Tears started to fall from his face. Other people from the shelter walked by and said that they were glad Becca was there because "John really was depressed". After 20 minutes, John began talking to me about his family, his dogs, his past occupations, his fears about where he would go after the shelter closed, and ideas The Community Service category is described as "A nurse who makes significant professional or voluntary contributions to the community. Through community service, the nurse transfers knowledge in a manner that promotes dialogue, open communication and interdisciplinary relationships within the community setting."
he had about getting back on his feet. Becca sensed an individual's need, went to the person and was available to meet the need. I was fortunate enough to be on the other end of the leash. Because Linda and her dogs are active with AAT certification, they are also allowed the privilege to be involved with the Canine Crisis Response groups. Linda describes her community service activities as they relate to the Crisis Response Group: • Through this group, I am involved in the Washington County Sheriff Department Chaplain program. We coordinate with the Chaplain's program to provide weekly AAT visits for inmates at the jail. These visits provide a time for the inmates to connect with the dogs and with us. Having the dogs present helps people become more relaxed and they are able to be someone other than an inmate. They may talk about their frustrations, their favorite dog, family, or what they want to do in the future. The Sheriff's department has also utilized this Crisis Response group when there have been suicides in the jail or in the community. • Through the Cascade Crisis Response Group we worked with Providence Healthcare at Camp Erin. This is a summer camp for young people who have experienced the loss of a loved one. As a Crisis Response group we are available for campers and staff. During one experience, I was working with a camper who did not feel comfortable sharing her feelings with the group. I noticed she spent time playing and talking with my dog Laci. Laci loved fetching sticks, wading in the water with the girl, and playing on the creek bank. I realized that all the while, the girl was telling Laci about her loss and about her feelings. I felt very contented that Laci and I were there and that Laci was able to provide something for this girl that no human had been able to do during the trip. Linda donated two of her Labradoodle puppies, Hope and Heidi, to be trained by the Autism Service Dogs of America to become service dogs for autistic children: After donating Hope and Heidi, I had the privilege of volunteering time to participate in their training. Hope and Heidi have recently been placed in families with Autistic children. Heidi lives on the college campus at Irvine, California with her boy and his family. Hope is living in Dallas, Texas with her boy named Gray. Hope's family has established a website called "Hope for Gray" to help raise awareness about Service Dogs for autistic children and raise funds for families wanting to obtain a Service Dog for their autistic child. Through her work with the autism training, Linda found a new skill which she then transferred to training other service dogs. I know a couple, Paulie and Chuck. Chuck as early Alzheimer's disease and his physician thought a Service Dog could be beneficial. They adopted an adult Cocker Spaniel named Dakota from a shelter. However, they did not know much about the dog's background and asked if I could help them work with the I have been working with Linda for the past 2 years. Recently we have worked closely together on the Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) leadership training program. During this program I had the privilege experiencing Linda’s compassion for the elderly community. During the NICHE application process, Linda stated “it is also important to be aware of factors that influence the patient and their health such as family dynamics, support systems, previous living situations and possible changes that may require changes in living situations - either temporarily or permanently.” This statement demonstrates Linda’s ability to care holistically for her patients both inside and outside the hospital. Linda takes this view with her when she works within the community. It is individuals like Linda who make such an everlasting impact on those she becomes in contact with. Her contributions to the community have impacted many lives, and it is time for Linda to receive the recognition she deserves. Sarah Strom, Professional Practice Leader
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