NO BARK, NO BITE THERAPY DOG GETS THANK-YOU WITH BIRTHDAY BASH.Byline: Amy Raisin raisin, in botany and cooking raisin, dried fruit of certain varieties of grapevines bearing grapes with a high content of sugar and solid flesh. Although the fruit is sometimes artificially dehydrated, it is usually sun-dried. Darvish Staff Writer VALENCIA - With pink bows arranged in her golden hair, 8-year-old Laci had a birthday party Friday in the lobby of a local hospital, surrounded by her biggest fans - hospital patients who look forward to visits from the golden retriever golden retriever, breed of large sporting dog developed primarily in Scotland in the mid-19th cent. It stands about 23 in. (58.4 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 60 to 75 lb (27.2–34.1 kg). and other therapy dogs. ``The day they brought these dogs in, it just made my day,'' said Judy Pratt, who comes to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital to receive weekly transfusions for a blood disease. ``I have to sit there for three hours and they just help you take your mind off yourself.'' Laci, who became the hospital's first therapy dog six years ago, was well acquainted with Pratt, frequently walking over to the woman and nuzzling Pratt with her snout snout the upper lip and the apex of the nose, especially of the pig. Called also rostrum. Has a specialized skin to survive the rigors of rooting, is supported by a separate bone (the os rostri), and also has a few sensory hairs. . Laci and her owner, Linda Provenzano, were joined by eight other therapy dogs and their owners, as well as hospital staffers and patients, some in wheelchairs. The dogs, all possessing calm and loving dispositions, make frequent visits to bring joy to those battling various illnesses. They come in a wide range of breeds and sizes, but all the therapy dogs have been trained specifically to visit hospitals, convalescent con·va·les·cent adj. Relating to convalescence. n. A person who is recovering from an illness, an injury, or a surgical operation. convalescent 1. pertaining to or characterized by convalescence. 2. homes and rehabilitation rehabilitation: see physical therapy. centers. These dogs are taught not to lick lick 1. a stroke with the tongue, normally used in cleaning the coat or ingesting a substance from a flat surface. See also licking. 2. a mixture of salt plus other macro-elements, especially phosphorus, trace elements, vitamins and other feed additives, fed loosely in a box , as the danger of germs is heightened in hospitals. Two or three times a week, Provenzano brings Laci to Newhall Memorial Hospital, where the dog is greeted warmly by patients who have come to depend on visits from the gentle dogs. ``When the dogs come in, patients change their attitudes,'' Provenzano said. ``They smile, they light up, they talk about their own dogs. We never ask why (the patients) are here. We're just here to make them feel good.'' Laci once inspired a man recovering from a stroke to get up and walk across the room - something the patient had not done during rehabilitation sessions, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Provenzano. ``Laci motivated him to get up out of his chair to go over and pet her,'' she said. ``She's done so many little miracles. (Patients) get a healing energy from her.'' Beverly Boyles, hospitalized Monday with pneumonia pneumonia (n  mōn`yə), acute infection of one or both lungs that can be caused by a bacterium, usually Streptococcus pneumoniae , was being wheeled back from having X-rays Friday morning when she noticed the lobby full of dogs. ``I can't tell you how wonderful this is,'' Boyles said as she cuddled a large Leonberger, a German breed that can reach 150 pounds. ``I have two doggies I'm just devoted to and I really miss them. It's so nice to see these dogs.'' Amy Raisin Darvish, (661) 257-5254 amy.raisin(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) Laci, right, and her fellow therapy dogs celebrate Laci's eighth birthday at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital on Friday. Laci became the hospital's first pet therapy dog six years ago. ``The day they brought these dogs in, it just made my day,'' said patient Judy Pratt. David Crane/Staff Photographer |
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