What could be nicer than a Golden Retriever puppy? I loved him, trained him and named him Blarney after the Blarney Stone in Ireland. The definition in my dictionary was “to humbug with flattery” and this puppy certainly knew how to make people love him. I began to notice his special gift when I took him to obedience school with other dogs and people. He liked the other dogs but he gravitated to humans and they came to him. During breaks the children would be petting Blarney and often he would go over and see a baby that always came with its mother. People remarked that he was much gentler than the other young dogs. I had planned to show him in obedience but after a therapy dog evaluator talked to me I knew where he belonged. Blarney received his advanced obedience, CGC, and therapy dog certifications soon after he was a year old and we were on our way.
We visited several facilities and although we still pursue other projects we selected the Spring Arbor Assisted Living Facility in Kinston as the one where I felt we could make the greatest difference. We were received with open arms and we have made many dear friends both residents and staff. Pet Therapy is scheduled every Monday afternoon and a group of the residents wait for Blarney in the activities room. Now they have begun clapping their hands when they hear him come in the door and it is all I can do to keep from arriving too quickly. After we finish in the activities room we go around to residents that prefer to see him in the parlor, on the porch or in their rooms. We visit on other days but not at a scheduled time.
Blarney works a room like a politician. He spends a short time with each person giving them his undivided attention and gentle love then moves on to the next one. If someone new comes into the room he will go to them and offer his paw. He gives each person a handshake or a kiss. He is a gentleman and only kisses on request. The residents talk to him as if he understands every word. A tiny, fragile lady holds his big head and says “Blarney the grapes were soooo good.” Mr. W. tells him that it would be better if he brought bowls for the ice cream because you can get more in them than the cones. Ms. C. brings her stuffed dogs to show him. Mr. T. waits for us on the porch opens the doors for us and whispers things to Blarney that only they can know. They love it when Blarney eats a banana and does funny things for each bite. They get bananas from the fruit cart and bring to him. One time two ladies were late and they missed his eating the banana. Another had to be found so they could watch him. A retired postman who was bitten and traumatized by the dogs on his route is now able to pet and enjoy Blarney. Mrs. C. was in the hospital for three weeks and missed Blarney so much that I brought a picture of him and put it on her bulletin board. I also bought her a golden, stuffed dog which she named Blarney Jr. and kept it in the bed with her. All the nurses knew Blarney and Blarney Jr. The feeling of this patient for Blarney has caused the Recreational Therapy Director at the hospital to try to get a program started where Blarney could meet with some of the residents outside by the fountain. So far the hospital will not allow animals inside the door but Blarney has made a start.
Blarney was featured in a magazine article on therapy dogs. He has appeared in several health facility bulletins, a picture of him with the 
beautiful, elderly hands of one of the residents holding his head has been sent to the Spring Arbor Corporate Headquarters as a touching illustration of the human-animal bond and he has now been nominated for the NC Animal Hall of Fame. When the residents of Spring Arbor heard that Blarney had been nominated many were excited and wanted to do something. Several wrote notes about what he had meant to them and others who could not write dictated their feelings to one of the Activities Coordinators. Two non-residents wrote poems in Blarney’s honor. The letter from a deceased resident’s sister thanking me for allowing Blarney to bring so much pleasure to her sister prior to her death arrived and was included in his nomination packet. A niece wrote to say how much Blarney’s visits meant to her aunt. The Recreation Therapy Director at the hospital wrote a letter that was signed by ten of the nursing staff. There were two letters written from the management of Spring Arbor. Pictures were also sent in the packet and Mr. W. was so pleased that his picture with Blarney had been selected to be included that he asked me to bring a copy that he could keep. It touched me deeply because Mr. W. is blind and will never see the picture or Blarney. I cannot tell you how much the outpouring of affection for Blarney meant to me.
I gave a program to a philanthropic educational organization about therapy dogs. It was so well received that when a later meeting was at my home they insisted that they meet Blarney. When they saw him every hand reached toward him and as he circled the room even those that would normally have disliked a hair held him close.
As a Pet Partner my role has been as a facilitator to my special dog. Your Pet Partner program has correctly channeled the talents of a truly remarkable therapy dog and has allowed me to make a difference in the lives of those who have become dependent on others because of so many losses in their own lives. Any kindness that we have given to those we visit has been returned ten fold. I can be an advocate for those who have no families, bring photographs and treats, visit the hospital or help Blarney deliver presents on holidays but in the end it is my Blarney that holds the key that opens the hearts and then the minds.
Thank you Delta Society,
Mary Jo Pringle and Blarney
August 07, 2004
To be continued: Blarney is only three years old.
