The January 6, 2022, Glacier PROBUS General Meeting was held on the Zoom platform with 36 members present.
President John McGinn welcomed everyone to PROBUS 2022 which is looking much like 2021. He hoped everyone had a good Christmas and New Years and he is looking forward to when we can meet in person again, but it doesn’t look like it in the near future.
Jim Belair brought us up to date on a member hoping to start a Skiing Group. However, due to low interest the member has since decided not to pursue it.
Tricia Nicol reported that the Bridge Group is once again playing virtually.
Donna Crozier said that today’s winners of $25 Cobb’s Bakery gift certificates (with a surprise included!) may use their certificates tomorrow.
Alan Brown introduced our two guest speakers, Carol Tyson and Adele Einarson, who since retiring in 2020 after 30-40 years as Registered Nurses, have become very active in the local ElderDog Canada Chapter or Pawd as they are called.
Carol is the Leader and Volunteer Coordinator and Adele is the Treasurer and Education/Outreach Coordinator of the ElderDog Comox Valley Pawd.
Adele stated ElderDog Canada is a national non-profit organization that was started by Ardra Cole, a University Professor, in Nova Scotia in 2009. Her research on caregiving and Alzheimer’s and dogs providing optimal companionship at the end of life combined with her own brother passing and leaving his dog, Mr. Brown, led to the beginning of ElderDog Canada. Mr. Brown is now the poster dog for ElderDog Canada.
The organization is founded on three principles:
1. Comfort – to senior’s lives and the connection they enjoy with their dogs.
2. Quality of life – to live together in a healthy, mutually beneficial relationship.
3. Tribute – acknowledging how deeply the affect dog’s have on seniors’ health and well-being.
In 2016 the organization became a Registered charity with no paid positions. All funds come from donations, fund raising (such as the local bottle drive in June), and the sale of dog food and Calendars. Currently the local Pawd is using funds to cover the recent Christmas Parade, and the purchase of safety vests for Volunteers and for emergency situations. Veterinary bills are paid for by National Headquarters. For donations to the local group, you can email Adele Einarson at: elderdogcvtreas@gmail.com.
Nationally there are 29 ElderDog Pawds with three on Vancouver Island. Carol noted the Comox Valley Pawd started in February 2021 with 45 volunteers and now has 95 volunteers serving 16 clients and 19 dogs. The volunteer ages range from their 20s to 70s. The local Pawd serves Parskville and north on the Island. Their Facebook page is: Elderdog Canada Comox Valley Pawd. The volunteer email is: elderdogcvvol@gmail.com.
The National Head Quarter website is: www.elderdog.ca. The Head Quarter 24-hour phone number is 1 855 336-4226. Any one can call this number, and their request/concern will be forwarded to the local Pawd. The National Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/ElderDog. Check out their store: http://www.elderdogcanadastore.ca.
The Pawd provides free assistance for healthcare, exercise, and feeding with the aim to “keep love in the home.” Included services are simple hygiene such as brushing and nail trims, transportation to the Vet, temporary foster care, and finding forever homes for older dogs left without a home. The organization is also dedicated to the support, education, and research into the role that dogs play in the health and well-being of our seniors. During Covid, ElderDog has been deemed an essential service.
Typically, a Dog Support Coordinator meets with the client and dog. The client and dog are then entered into the National Database and a care plan is developed. Dog walking is the main care required with requests for up to three times a day walks, or once a week in rain, wind, or snow! For anything from puppies to elder dogs.
Not all meetings with clients result in immediate help. Clients and their families are pre-planning in the event of needing help down the road which allows the Dog Support Team to get to know both the client and their beloved dog.
All volunteers have had a criminal check and wear ID tags. The clients have a magnet on the fridge and an ID sticker on the door to notify personnel that an ElderDog lives there. The local Pawd also collaborates with a Social Worker and a Senior Care representative at the hospital. Several local veterinarians have also given their support.
Carol noted it is truly heartwarming the difference this organization can make. The local Pawd is still getting the word out there about their organization and this was their first community/public presentation.
President John McGinn thanked Carol and Adele for their informative presentation.
Treasurer Dorothy McGinn announced the winners of the gift certificates who were:
Sheila Precious, Donna Crozier, Robin Harrison, and Jill Hatfield.
President McGinn thanked Donna for arranging the gift certificates and Al for organizing the meeting and arranging the speakers. President McGinn ended the meeting once again hoping we can all get together soon and thanked everyone for showing up.
President John McGinn welcomed everyone to PROBUS 2022 which is looking much like 2021. He hoped everyone had a good Christmas and New Years and he is looking forward to when we can meet in person again, but it doesn’t look like it in the near future.
Jim Belair brought us up to date on a member hoping to start a Skiing Group. However, due to low interest the member has since decided not to pursue it.
Tricia Nicol reported that the Bridge Group is once again playing virtually.
Donna Crozier said that today’s winners of $25 Cobb’s Bakery gift certificates (with a surprise included!) may use their certificates tomorrow.
Alan Brown introduced our two guest speakers, Carol Tyson and Adele Einarson, who since retiring in 2020 after 30-40 years as Registered Nurses, have become very active in the local ElderDog Canada Chapter or Pawd as they are called.
Carol is the Leader and Volunteer Coordinator and Adele is the Treasurer and Education/Outreach Coordinator of the ElderDog Comox Valley Pawd.
Adele stated ElderDog Canada is a national non-profit organization that was started by Ardra Cole, a University Professor, in Nova Scotia in 2009. Her research on caregiving and Alzheimer’s and dogs providing optimal companionship at the end of life combined with her own brother passing and leaving his dog, Mr. Brown, led to the beginning of ElderDog Canada. Mr. Brown is now the poster dog for ElderDog Canada.
The organization is founded on three principles:
1. Comfort – to senior’s lives and the connection they enjoy with their dogs.
2. Quality of life – to live together in a healthy, mutually beneficial relationship.
3. Tribute – acknowledging how deeply the affect dog’s have on seniors’ health and well-being.
In 2016 the organization became a Registered charity with no paid positions. All funds come from donations, fund raising (such as the local bottle drive in June), and the sale of dog food and Calendars. Currently the local Pawd is using funds to cover the recent Christmas Parade, and the purchase of safety vests for Volunteers and for emergency situations. Veterinary bills are paid for by National Headquarters. For donations to the local group, you can email Adele Einarson at: elderdogcvtreas@gmail.com.
Nationally there are 29 ElderDog Pawds with three on Vancouver Island. Carol noted the Comox Valley Pawd started in February 2021 with 45 volunteers and now has 95 volunteers serving 16 clients and 19 dogs. The volunteer ages range from their 20s to 70s. The local Pawd serves Parskville and north on the Island. Their Facebook page is: Elderdog Canada Comox Valley Pawd. The volunteer email is: elderdogcvvol@gmail.com.
The National Head Quarter website is: www.elderdog.ca. The Head Quarter 24-hour phone number is 1 855 336-4226. Any one can call this number, and their request/concern will be forwarded to the local Pawd. The National Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/ElderDog. Check out their store: http://www.elderdogcanadastore.ca.
The Pawd provides free assistance for healthcare, exercise, and feeding with the aim to “keep love in the home.” Included services are simple hygiene such as brushing and nail trims, transportation to the Vet, temporary foster care, and finding forever homes for older dogs left without a home. The organization is also dedicated to the support, education, and research into the role that dogs play in the health and well-being of our seniors. During Covid, ElderDog has been deemed an essential service.
Typically, a Dog Support Coordinator meets with the client and dog. The client and dog are then entered into the National Database and a care plan is developed. Dog walking is the main care required with requests for up to three times a day walks, or once a week in rain, wind, or snow! For anything from puppies to elder dogs.
Not all meetings with clients result in immediate help. Clients and their families are pre-planning in the event of needing help down the road which allows the Dog Support Team to get to know both the client and their beloved dog.
All volunteers have had a criminal check and wear ID tags. The clients have a magnet on the fridge and an ID sticker on the door to notify personnel that an ElderDog lives there. The local Pawd also collaborates with a Social Worker and a Senior Care representative at the hospital. Several local veterinarians have also given their support.
Carol noted it is truly heartwarming the difference this organization can make. The local Pawd is still getting the word out there about their organization and this was their first community/public presentation.
President John McGinn thanked Carol and Adele for their informative presentation.
Treasurer Dorothy McGinn announced the winners of the gift certificates who were:
Sheila Precious, Donna Crozier, Robin Harrison, and Jill Hatfield.
President McGinn thanked Donna for arranging the gift certificates and Al for organizing the meeting and arranging the speakers. President McGinn ended the meeting once again hoping we can all get together soon and thanked everyone for showing up.