Rescued Mini Brings Love to Patients in New Mexico

All of our rescued miniature schnauzers bring love and companionship into their new families’ lives. But one of our rescues, a mini named Elke, has made a profession out of bringing joy to patients in nursing homes and hospitals in the New Mexico community where she lives. She was the first certified therapy dog in Silver City.  And her work has spread to a thriving animal visitor program that now keeps a dozen local dogs busy.

Elke is a six-year-old mini. Three years ago, she came into Schnauzer Rescue after a divorce. Elizabeth Bolling, of Silver City, New Mexico, took the little black and silver dog into her home and into her heart.

Elke is a high-energy dog who needs lots of activity to keep her truly happy. Elizabeth enrolled her in obedience trials. Elke did great, but she clearly was not very interested in simply parading around a ring. So then Elizabeth tried agility. “She was bored with obedience. But boy is she good on the agility course,” Elizabeth said.   That’s when Elizabeth thought of getting Elke certified as a therapy dog.

When her late husband was in a nursing home, she had seen first hand the joy doggie visitors spread.

Therapy dogs have become a staple in hospitals, nursing homes, programs for disturbed children, and other medical settings where an adorable, non-threatening dog can elicit responses from people who have otherwise shut themselves off from the world.

Elizabeth contacted the non-profit Therapy Dogs, Incorporated in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to get Elke certified as a therapy dog. Now the little girl and her owner maintain a busy schedule of visiting local nursing homes, hospitals, and the nearby state hospital -- even a nursing home in Deming, New Mexico, 50 miles away.

“She really excels in the mental health unit. She will not give up on anybody until they pat her,” Elizabeth said. “She always goes back to the person that won’t pet her and she stays there. And eventually they will pet her.”

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