OUR SERVICESOn Friday, November 16, 2007 and Friday, December 7, 2007, residents at Sarah Neuman had a hoppin’ time as two bunnies came leaping through the door to visit everyone. The hares were brought to Sarah Neuman Center by husband and wife team Sharon and Walter “Wally” Wall, of Yonkers, NY.
The pair have visited various hospitals and healthcare facilities across Westchester County and plan to visit Sarah Neuman Center once a month. The couple have rescued and cared for rabbits for more than six years. They share their home with five bunnies that were rescued from Elmsford Animal Shelter, five guinea pigs and a few additional rescues.
“These bunnies are so cute and cuddly. Unlike some of the larger animals that come to visit, there is usually no fear associated with rabbits. They are hard to resist and residents really love to hug and pet bunnies,” said Didi Marcal, LMSW, a bereavement counselor and volunteer coordinator at Jansen Hospice and Palliative Care in Tuckahoe, NY. “The great thing about bunnies is that you can put them right in the bed with people and they curl up with them. It’s really amazing to see.”
Skipper, who got his name from the classic television series “Gillian’s Island”, is a multi-colored tan and white 8-year-old bunny and Maynard, of “Dobie Gillis” fame is a 5-year-old black and white hare. “These two rabbits are like our children. They are partners in crime and are always the life of the party,” says Wally Wall. “When they are not at work, they have their own room at home and are free to roam around just like a cat or dog, but they do like to go into their cage to sleep at night.” Maynard and Skipper, or “Papi”, as the Walls affectionately call him, have been officially recognized as pet therapists and even have their own bunny–sized therapy vests and ID cards.
Amy Lionheart, Director of Volunteers at Sarah Neuman Center says “Pet therapy is a wonderful way of communicating with residents. The presence of animals encourages socialization more than any other kind of therapy. It offers physical contact for residents and some people even feel a spiritual fulfillment or a sense of oneness with life and nature when they are with their pets. It’s really heart-warming to see people who are ill light up when they are around animals.”
When asked why they chose to volunteer at a nursing home, Mrs. Wall stated, “You have to see it to believe it. This is the kind of thing you really won’t believe unless you see it first hand. Seeing the cheerfulness and joy on people’s faces makes it all worth it.”
“I love these rabbits. They are so soft and cuddly. How could anyone resist them?” said resident, Vera R., “I wish they were here all the time.”
Lionheart encourages people with animals to think about sharing their pets with those that may be ill. “Pets can have a very positive effect on people and studies have proven that stroking an animal makes people laugh and smile more, lowers blood pressure, aids depression and diabetes and in addition, helps people to relax.”
“Almost any kind of pet can become a volunteer,” says Lionheart, “We’ve had cats, dogs, birds, snakes, and even fish serve as volunteers.” The only requirement is a letter from a veterinarian stating that the animal has been behaviorally assessed and has had all their vaccinations. Once the letter is received and the pet’s owner attends an orientation the pet is cleared to volunteer.
To learn more about volunteering with your pet at Sarah Neuman Center, please call (914) 864-5141 or email alionheart@jhha.org.