05/13/2024
We have featured “Shelby” a few times recently and it is probably because she writes such a great Volunteer Report! She and her Mom Sandie visit the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Desert Regional every Tuesday morning. Here is their story from last week.
Today was a longer visit than usual - not because of the numbers of patients seen, but, because people were very talkative and engaging (except for one person whom I will talk about later!).
In the basement, one of the male staff technicians was walking down the hall and saw Shelby. He stopped to pet her for a long time, giving her a whole body massage (which, of course, she loved!). He went back with a patient and then came back to pet her some more! The staff is always welcoming, but, this man just seemed enamored with Shelby today!
On first floor, we ran into a Spanish speaking woman waiting for her mom. We communicated with gestures, but, she pulled Shelby into her arms and I guess we didn’t need words after that! She was interested in Paws & Hearts, so I helped her find the Face-book page in her phone (which was all in Spanish).
On third floor, we met a woman waiting for her son in chemotherapy. She was very grateful for Shelby and talked about how difficult this journey with her son has been but, as she put it, “We received good news today and now I met Shelby. It’s been a good day!”
On the way back down, we stopped in the basement again. We met a woman who was nonstop chatter about losing her dog (turns out this happened 17 years ago!). She was very enthusiastic about our program and couldn’t say enough good things about Shelby.
We were on our way out when Shelby noticed a man sitting in the corner with his head down. We headed over there and asked if he liked dogs. He said he did, but, then shook his head and said he was having a bad day. He sort of waved us off. But, Shelby would NOT leave. She went over by him, jumped on the chair next to him. Her nose touched his hand and he started touching her. She reached across the arm of the chair and kissed him gently on his cheek. I could tell he had been crying. But, he accepted Shelby’s overtures. We stayed with him for awhile - in silence. We didn’t need words; Shelby and this man formed their own bond of affection. Eventually, we quietly left him. Shelby had done her job!!!!