Therapy dog at GreenFields of Geneva earns honorary title of doctor

Doctor visits are a whole lot better when Dr. Grizzly Bear is on call at GreenFields of Geneva senior living community.

The four-legged practitioner eases anxiety and depression, provides laughter, enhances communication, and more, all while charmingly wagging his tail. The 4-year old mini-golden doodle belongs to Leslie Paquette, life services manager at GreenFields. He is actually named simply Grizzly Bear, but with the advanced training he required in order to become a certified therapy dog, earned the honorary title of doctor.

Paquette recalled that when Grizzly Bear was about 2 years old, she and her family recognized that he had an extremely sweet demeanor, and that people were drawn to him.

"We thought he'd make a great therapy dog, visiting with people," she said. He attended an intensive training program at WoofBeach in Geneva, four days weekly for many months. Afterward, Paquette met with the trainer regularly to make sure that Grizzly Bear was prepared for his certification exam.

"The trainer would tell us what to practice and what specifically we should be working on," Paquette said. In order to pass, he had to prove that he was easily controlled in a crowd, could walk through crowds of people, would sit and stay on command, could separate from Paquette without stress, and enjoyed meeting people and accepting their touch. "He passed with flying colors, becoming a certified therapy dog in November," Paquette said.

Now, two days each week, he dons his special therapy dog vest and accompanies Paquette to work. "Residents look for him or ask for him a lot," Paquette said. "He's a nice morale boost for everyone. Just as many staff members want to see him as residents do. When people are with him, they'll talk about their day and lovingly talk about their own pets. They'll say, 'I need therapy,' and will just pet him and talk to him. He brings joy."

Paquette will often call residents she knows love Grizzly Bear and ask if they'd like a visit. "We'll sometimes go to Reflections Memory Care or Briarwood Skilled Nursing and visit the residents there," she said, adding that she witnesses "residents verbalizing and vocalizing more when Grizzly Bear visits. People with low mobility reach to pet him or walk to my office to find him when they normally wouldn't walk that far. He always brings smiles and laughter to people who were previously feeling down."

Recently he 'worked' a kissing booth at GreenFields' Valentine's Day celebration.

When they get home, they remove Grizzly Bear's special vest, and he's a puppy, playing with his toys and his family. "He knows the difference," Paquette said.

Wherever he is, Paquette reported, "He gets a lot of attention, a lot of love and ear scratches."

Having a therapy dog, Paquette said, has been great fun and very satisfying. "I'm proud of him, and the response from my co-workers and residents has been great. It's been worth all of the work in advanced training."

GreenFields of Geneva

GreenFields is an exceptional Life Plan Community offering a wonderful retirement lifestyle in an ideal location. GreenFields offers independent living, assisted living, memory support, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing care with the most comprehensive plan available for long-term care if ever needed. For additional information, call 630/578-7969 or visit www.GreenFieldsGeneva.org.