December 16, 1998
'Sparky' the dog brings light to Pavilions
By Garret Leiva
Herald staff writer
He may only be 5-years-old and stand a two feet at the shoulders, but the Grand Traverse Pavilions newest resident has already made a big impact on lives at the Traverse City long-term care facility.
While the Pavilions has provided a home for this golden retriever/ black Labrador retriever mix, Sparky has in return brought joy into the lives of residents and staff members alike.
Rescued from the pound by the nonprofit organization Antrim County Pet & Animal Watch (A.C. PAW) of Mancelona, Sparky was brought to the Pavilions after activities director, Sally Bird begin searching for an in-resident Rover.
While researching the appropriate breed for long-term care living, Bird was put in contact with Mary Guy, a dog trainer and volunteer with A.C. PAW who thought Sparky would be a perfect pooch for the Pavilions. After visiting the Pavilions every day for a week and even staying overnight, Sparky made more than just a good first impression.
"We gave him a trial run and he did just marvelous. So we decided that we better keep him," said Bird, who noted that last week was the dog's first full week at the Pavilions on a full-time basis.
A.C. PAW executive director Brian Manely noted that Sparky's adoption into a facility like the Grand Traverse Pavilions was a first time venture for the volunteer-supported group.
"This is a little out of our normal placement program but it fits right in with our general philosophy of helping animals and helping to foster the human-animal bond," said Manely, who noted that A.C. PAW usually places abandoned and abused animals in temporary foster homes until they can be adopted.
Also fitting in right away has been Sparky. Since day one, the caring canine has made his self-appointed 'rounds' to visit residents and staff members at the Pavilions. Never overwhelmed by crowds of people or constant commotion, A.C. PAW volunteer Guy, said that Sparky's natural personality takes over when he walks the hallways and corridors.
"The first day Sally and I took him around for a visit I myself was overwhelmed but within a very short time Sparky had the routine right down," said Guy, who trained Sparky while he stayed in her foster home for six-months. "He'd walk in a room and see if anyone was there. If they liked dogs that was cool and if they didn't want to see him he would just instinctively know and leave."
Those instincts, including a natural desire to be with people, has added an extra spark to life at the Pavilions said staff member Bird. "Everyone watches out for him. You can see people's faces light up when he walks in the room."
Aside from his people-friendly personality, Sparky's adoption seemed a perfect example of applying the "Eden Alternative" principle to a daily life reality at the Pavilions. Assistant director of nursing Caroline Douglass noted that loneliness, boredom and the feeling of helplessness account for a majority of depression in long-term care facilities. Having the likes of Sparky around has a way of easing those pains.
"The Eden philosophy adopts a human habitat surrounding and environment where animals, plants and children normalize life for the residents," said Douglass, other current Pavilions 'residents' include several aquariums full of fish, five cockatiels, three finches, and one parakeet.
"The idea is not for us to be the care givers of the animals and plants but have the residents actively involved in something they can feel and contribute toward," she said.
In this case, a mutt with a heart of pure delight has been given a second chance at life while the residents of the Grand Traverse Pavilions have an opportunity to experience the unconditional love of a wagging tail.
"The great aspect of all this is that Sparky - like so many of the animals A.C. PAWS handles - would have more than likely been euthanized and put in the garbage dump. Compare that to now, where instead he has a chance to make everyone happy," Manley said.