Red and I went to the Veteran’s Home in Bennington, Vt. to do our therapy work this morning. There was something different about this day, it was surprisingly emotional, even wrenching, I think because Red is getting comfortable and focused in this work, and he is connecting more deeply with the veterans in this home, many of whom have suffered combat wounds in different wars.

I could see from the first that Red is getting more at ease, he walked into the home with his tail wagging and began to look for two or three friends he has already made and remembers. I can’t say if the dementia patients remember Red or night, some of them come out of quiet places to laugh and touch him, they certainly remember their dogs if not Red, I can’t be sure.

Some of the patients were so happy to see him, and so intent on connecting with him, that Red responded. I continue to reinforce him directly approaching patients, looking them in the eye, holding the gaze, standing still. I gave him a herding command today, “Stand” when I wanted him to be still and stay with a patient. The command means for him to be still, stay put, hold his position, in the same way “lie down” does but I want him upright, not lying down. He’s got that.

We were on our own for the first time, we didn’t need an escort and we went into patient’s rooms to spend time with them one-on-one. Some didn’t want him there, some were delighted that he came. I’m not sure why today was so emotional, but I know from my hospice work that every day is different, it is never the same. Red’s therapy skills are deepening, he understands what the work is now. A wonderful spirit, he did a lot of good today, brightened a lot of lives. This is very worthwhile work, soon we will be working with younger veterans, back from Iraq and Afghanistan, I suspect that will be challenging for Red, for me. But we are not leaving the veterans at the Bennington Home. Red is part of the place now. I have an album going up on Facebook.