Puppy Love at Radford Green

The raven-haired beauty with the big brown eyes, dons her special uniform and heads into work daily where she brightens the day of all she greets. Mavis, the 'woman' in question is an eight-year old golden retriever, Labrador retriever mix, who has been trained as a facility dog by Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) and is co-owned (along with CCI) by Jodi Wilson, a speech pathologist at Radford Green Health Care and Rehabilitation of Sedgebrook retirement community in Lincolnshire.

Mavis, who was bred to work, has been with Wilson for six years. She is capable of opening doors, turning lights on and off, picking things up from the floor, and even pulling a wheelchair. As a facility dog, Mavis was specifically trained to "work in a health care of education setting to make people feel good," said Wilson. "I was working with children at the time she first came to live with me. They would meet her and their faces would light up. When I started working with seniors at Radford Green, I asked if Mavis could work here as well and everyone was very enthusiastic."

While at work, Mavis visits all the residents who like dogs. "I always ask each resident if they want to meet Mavis first," said Wilson. "People simply feel better from talking to her and petting her. The physical and occupational therapists will borrow her from me to have residents brush or comb or walk her as good ways to get exercise. She's happy to be with anybody." Wilson added, "Wherever she is, there are smiles and great excitement. Residents here love her. They tell stories of their own dogs that they've had, and she's great for helping to break the ice."

At the end of last year, Mavis was diagnosed with a soft-tissue sarcoma. The cancer required extensive surgery and radiation therapy. "She was on the same pain medications as some of the residents here are," said Wilson. Mavis was on sick leave for four months, and then returned to work to the delight of the residents who were concerned for her welfare.

When asked to describe her faithful companion, Wilson said, "She's perfect. She's sweet, and calming and listens to everybody. She's welcoming and remembers everybody she's ever met."

Sedgebrook is a Life Plan Community offering a diverse lifestyle, maintenance-free living and outstanding amenities. Five-star rated Radford Green Health Care and Rehabilitation is located on the 72-acre Sedgebrook campus in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Sedgebrook is a Senior Care Development, LLC affiliated community and managed by Life Care Services LLC. For additional information visit www.WelcomeToSedgebrook.com or call 847-901-3319.