September 2010 - Allegheny West Magazine

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BY KILEY BRADYPHOTO SUBMITTEDis name might be Bear, but he doesn’tlive in the woods or hibernate during thewinter. Actually, Bear is a therapy dogthat lives at The Residence at WillowLane in Kennedy Township. The assisted andindependent living facility is owned by OhioValley General Hospital and managed byIntegracare. Paul Lieber, executive director of theresidence known as The Willows, says it is part ofthe company’s philosophy to keep a house pet. InMay, he found Bear on PuppyFinder.com andpurchased him from a family who raises therapydogs in Columbus, Ohio.“The residents loved him the first day I broughthim. There were smiles galore,” Paul says of the86-pound Labradoodle, a hybrid of LabradorRetriever and Poodle. He points out that theeight-month-old puppy’s large stature makes himeasily accessible to residents who use wheelchairsand walkers.As a community pet at The Willows, Bear visitsboth the assisted living and the independent livingfacilities. Bear visits with the combined 132residents and their families who can pet him, takehim for walks, and play with his toys. Bear’sbiggest responsibility at The Willows is to providecompanionship to the residents.“We believe in having a pet here everyone canhave fun with. He’s a great addition,” says Paul oftheir furry friend.In June, one month after he moved to TheWillows, Bear began training to become socializedto the residents. Paul explains that the puppyneeded to become familiar with the loud sounds ofthe facility and learn hand signals to sit, stay, andcome. Terri Bird, the office manager at TheWillows, takes Bear to training once a week atMisty Pines in Wexford. The staff also regularlyattends Bear’s training sessions to learn the signalsused to train him.Terri is also responsible for taking Bear to hisveterinarian appointments, supplying him withfood and water, and providing him with abedroom in her office. The staff members takeBear outside during the night, until he begins hisnine o’clock shift at Terri’s desk, greeting anyonewho comes into her “Bear cave.” During the day,the puppy mingles with the residents duringactivities like morning exercise, trivia, and cardgames. Terri says as soon as the residents step offthe elevator, they look for Bear, who is alwaysready with a kiss or a paw.Terri, who owns five dogs herself, says Bear isthe most laidback dog she has ever met. “It’s likehe was made to be here,” she says.Paul agrees, saying, “Bear has a calming effect
on the residents. He makespeople smile; he’s a friendto them.”In return, Bear has hisown little fan club at TheWillows. “He has a lot ofgrandmothers!” Paul says.The Willows is a dogfriendlyfacility wherefamily members can bringtheir dogs, as long as theyhave a copy of theirvaccinations on file. OnAugust 20, The Willowshosted the first“Willowminster DogShow,” with several staffmembers serving as judges.To find out more aboutThe Residence at WillowLane, call (412) 331-6139or visitwww.integracare.com.OPPOSITE PAGE: Willows resident Josie Czyzewicz, who formerly made her home in KennedyTownship before moving to the facility, gives Bear a welcome handshake.THIS PAGE, TOP: Family members and friends of residents at The Willows brought their furry friendsto the Willowminster Dog Show in August. (PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY TERRI BIRD)
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September 2010 - Allegheny West Magazine

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