We were lucky to catch up with Trish Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Trish, thanks for joining us today. We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?

Our teams have many heartwarming stories from their visits. On a recent visit that my therapy dog Rosie and I made to a regular hospice visit, a dementia patient spoke in full sentences to us. The staff was amazed as she typically babbles and does not recognize visitors. When we arrived, she said “How nice to see you” and “Rosie is so precious”. Making a difference one visit at a time!

Trish, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Trish Smith. When I retired, I was looking for ways to volunteer, something that I was unable to do as a working professional. I discovered Pet Partners, a a non-profit whose mission is to improve human health and well-being through the human–animal bond through animal therapy A therapy animal team is one human handler and one animal working together to make visits in the community. Therapy animals are different from service animals or emotional support animals. Service and emotional support animals help the people they live with. Therapy animals help people in their community.
Locally, I volunteer with Pet Partners of Greater Cincinnati. We have has over 170 teams, mostly dogs, but nine different animal species can be registered. Pets are owned by the handler who trains them individually or with a trainer on basic commands and socialization. Pet Partners provides handler training and then evaluates the team in person to meet high standards for safety & minimize risk. Upon completion, the team is a registered team with Pet Partners, an American Kennel Club recognized therapy animal organization.
Volunteer therapy animal teams bring their special bond to people in need in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, schools, businesses, first responders and other facilities upon request. Some of the places my dog Rosie & I visit locally are Ronald McDonald House, Procter & Gamble, Tri Health, The Christ Hospital, Hospice of Cincinnati, University of Cincinnati among many others. Rosie and I have been a therapy animal team for almost three years and have made 286 visits to date.
I have many heartwarming ad rewarding stories from our visits. Recently, a hospice patient with dementia that we visit frequently spoke to me for the first time. Typically, our conversations are silent communication with Rosie or repetitive word conversations. On a recent visit, she greeted with me with “It is so nice to see you” and “Rosie is so precious”. The aides all stopped what they were doing and looked in amazement. They told me she rarely talks in sentences or recognizes people. I treasure moments like this. Each and every one of our therapy teams have stories like this. We are making a difference one visit at a time!

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Listening.. The people our therapy animal teams visit are in various emotional states. Near death, chronic illness, traumatic events, stress or just plain missing a beloved pet. Learning to let people talk and listening helps the individual manage their current situation and provides much needed comfort.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Word of mouth.. Our exceptional therapy animal teams speak for themselves. People remember the kindness and comfort our volunteer teams bring. Many pass out trading cards with our pets on them. These little tokens are treasured items among the people we visit and the staff who support them.

Contact Info:

• Website: tpgcpets.org petpartners.org
• Instagram: @pet_partners_of_cincinnati @rosiebelletherapy
• Facebook: @pet partners of greater cincinnati @rosiebelletherapy
• Linkedin: Trish Hill Smith, MBA, PMP, CPCU, AAM, ARe, ARP
• Twitter: @rosiebelletherapy

Image Credits

Trish Smith