CANTON – Each day dozens of visitors stop
by to see their loved ones at Maplewood Health Care & Rehabilitation Center.
Most of those visitors are coming to visit with a resident or two, but last
week Maplewood welcomed a pair of guests who were there to visit with anyone
willing to give them a pat on the head.
 |
Mildred
Remington pets Ben, a six-year-old Great Pyrenees
during his
recent visit to Maplewood. |
Ben, a 150-pound Great Pyrenees and Lilly, an
80-pound Great Pyrenees/Lab mix were accompanied on their visit by their owners,
Joseph and Debra Finnegan of Madrid, who have brought the dogs to Maplewood
several times since this past summer.
“We started this back in July after Joe
had his knee replacement,” Mrs. Finnegan said. “The residents absolutely loved
them.”
Mr. Finnegan, who spent a week at
Maplewood following his surgery, said the first time his wife brought Ben in
for a visit, he could see that people really enjoyed having an animal around.
“There was one gentleman who wasn’t doing
so well, but as soon as he saw Ben, he perked right up,” Mr. Finnegan said.
Ben and Lilly made their most recent visit
to Maplewood on Wednesday, visiting residents in both the rehab and skilled
nursing units.
“The joy dogs bring us is a wonderful
thing,” said Karen Gonyea. “This is pretty good therapy.”
Another woman who spent some time with Ben
and Lilly was Sandra Davis. “This has made my whole day,” she said.
Rita O’Connor enjoys a moment with Lilly,
a three-year-old Great Pyrenees/Lab mix who visited Maplewood Health Care &
Rehabilitation Center last week. The dog’s owners, Joseph and Debra Finnegan
began bringing Lilly and another dog, Ben to Maplewood when Mr. Finnegan was
there following knee replacement surgery.
