When I initially considered virtual visits with my Labrador Retriever, Teega, I had some concerns. I wondered if it could bring joy to the residents, as they couldn't pet Teega.

Instead, I sent photos each week to the assisted facility that we had been visiting before Covid-19 hit. To me, this didn’t feel as if we were doing enough. Teega seemed to feel the same way; she relayed this to me by retrieving her green PAWS for People leash and putting it in my lap.

Coincidentally, there was an opportunity to join a PAWS virtual training class called: "Virtual Visits – What are we doing, what else can we do?" During the class, several PAWS members shared techniques that worked for the virtual meetings. Some of these ideas included ensuring their pup wore their green PAWS bandana and leash, etc. The PAWS members spoke of how to engage their pups and the residents that they were meeting with. That was very helpful! Another key learning was to accept that meeting virtually is not the same as face to face. That training gave me the confidence that we could do this. I thank those that blazed the trail and shared their learnings. There’s wonderful teamwork and camaraderie within the PAWS organization.

After the training, I reached out to Cate Bryson to ask if she could secure a site that had the capability and resources to meet via Zoom. She quickly found that Cadia-Broadmeadow in Middletown, DE was a good match and we began to virtually meet. We learned and adapted each week. After the first week, I sent some of Teega’s business cards to Cadia, as I felt that having something physical would help to engage the residents. After the second week, we added a guest to the Zoom meetings. We have another Labrador Retriever, Maya, that is not currently a PAWS pup. We found that she loves to look at the iPad (right into the eyes of the residents). The residents enjoy that connection and seeing the commands that both pups do. It brings back happy memories of pups that they’ve had.

Virtual meetings are different than face to face meetings, therefore, slight changes in my mindset and our actions were needed to ensure success. Happily, I can tell you that it’s worth working through any skepticism that you may have. Even behind the residents’ masks, we see smiling eyes and joyfulness. We are so happy to be making a positive impact in others’ day!