of the Year
of the Year
of the Year
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he had about getting back on his feet. Becca sensed an<br />
individual's need, went to <strong>the</strong> person and was available to meet<br />
<strong>the</strong> need. I was fortunate enough to be on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
leash.<br />
Because Linda and her dogs are active with AAT<br />
certification, <strong>the</strong>y are also allowed <strong>the</strong> privilege to be<br />
involved with <strong>the</strong> Canine Crisis Response groups. Linda<br />
describes her community service activities as <strong>the</strong>y relate<br />
to <strong>the</strong> Crisis Response Group:<br />
• Through this group, I am involved in <strong>the</strong> Washington<br />
County Sheriff Department Chaplain program. We<br />
coordinate with <strong>the</strong> Chaplain's program to provide weekly<br />
AAT visits for inmates at <strong>the</strong> jail. These visits provide a time<br />
for <strong>the</strong> inmates to connect with <strong>the</strong> dogs and with us.<br />
Having <strong>the</strong> dogs present helps people become more relaxed<br />
and <strong>the</strong>y are able to be someone o<strong>the</strong>r than an inmate.<br />
They may talk about <strong>the</strong>ir frustrations, <strong>the</strong>ir favorite dog,<br />
family, or what <strong>the</strong>y want to do in <strong>the</strong> future. The Sheriff's<br />
department has also utilized this Crisis Response group<br />
when <strong>the</strong>re have been suicides in <strong>the</strong> jail or in <strong>the</strong><br />
community.<br />
• Through <strong>the</strong> Cascade Crisis Response Group we worked<br />
with Providence Healthcare at Camp Erin. This is a summer<br />
camp for young people who have experienced <strong>the</strong> loss <strong>of</strong> a<br />
loved one. As a Crisis Response group we are available for<br />
campers and staff. During one experience, I was working<br />
with a camper who did not feel comfortable sharing her<br />
feelings with <strong>the</strong> group. I noticed she spent time playing<br />
and talking with my dog Laci. Laci loved fetching sticks,<br />
wading in <strong>the</strong> water with <strong>the</strong> girl, and playing on <strong>the</strong> creek<br />
bank. I realized that all <strong>the</strong> while, <strong>the</strong> girl was telling Laci<br />
about her loss and about her feelings. I felt very contented<br />
that Laci and I were <strong>the</strong>re and that Laci was able to provide<br />
something for this girl that no human had been able to do<br />
during <strong>the</strong> trip.<br />
Linda donated two <strong>of</strong> her Labradoodle puppies, Hope<br />
and Heidi, to be trained by <strong>the</strong> Autism Service Dogs <strong>of</strong><br />
America to become service dogs for autistic children:<br />
After donating Hope and Heidi, I had <strong>the</strong> privilege <strong>of</strong><br />
volunteering time to participate in <strong>the</strong>ir training. Hope and<br />
Heidi have recently been placed in families with Autistic<br />
children. Heidi lives on <strong>the</strong> college campus at Irvine, California<br />
with her boy and his family. Hope is living in Dallas, Texas<br />
with her boy named Gray. Hope's family has established a<br />
website called "Hope for Gray" to help raise awareness about<br />
Service Dogs for autistic children and raise funds for families<br />
wanting to obtain a Service Dog for <strong>the</strong>ir autistic child.<br />
Through her work with <strong>the</strong> autism training, Linda found a<br />
new skill which she <strong>the</strong>n transferred to training o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
service dogs.<br />
I know a couple, Paulie and Chuck. Chuck as early Alzheimer's<br />
disease and his physician thought a Service Dog could be<br />
beneficial. They adopted an adult Cocker Spaniel named Dakota<br />
from a shelter. However, <strong>the</strong>y did not know much about <strong>the</strong><br />
dog's background and asked if I could help <strong>the</strong>m work with <strong>the</strong><br />
I have been working with Linda for <strong>the</strong> past 2 years. Recently we have worked closely toge<strong>the</strong>r on <strong>the</strong> Nurses Improving<br />
Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) leadership training program. During this program I had <strong>the</strong> privilege experiencing<br />
Linda’s compassion for <strong>the</strong> elderly community. During <strong>the</strong> NICHE application process, Linda stated “it is also important to<br />
be aware <strong>of</strong> factors that influence <strong>the</strong> patient and <strong>the</strong>ir health such as family dynamics, support systems, previous living<br />
situations and possible changes that may require changes in living situations - ei<strong>the</strong>r temporarily or permanently.” This<br />
statement demonstrates Linda’s ability to care holistically for her patients both inside and outside <strong>the</strong> hospital. Linda takes<br />
this view with her when she works within <strong>the</strong> community. It is individuals like Linda who make such an everlasting impact<br />
on those she becomes in contact with. Her contributions to <strong>the</strong> community have impacted many lives, and it is time for<br />
Linda to receive <strong>the</strong> recognition she deserves. Sarah Strom, Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Practice Leader