Charles Logdon enjoys a visit from visit from Abbey, a 3-year-old certified therapy dog on Dec. 15 in his home in the Herbertsville section of the township. The dog and her owner, Sabina Carinci, were matched with Logdon through the Caregiver Volunteers of Central New Jersey’s new Caregiver Canines program. ERIC SUCAR staff “We had a poodle when I was 5, we had two Great Danes and golden retrievers,” his daughter Donna Logdon said.
But a stroke felled her 86-year-old father in February 2008. He’s also on dialysis. His medical conditions make it impossible for him to keep a pet in the home.
So every other week, Logdon gets a visit from Abbey, a gentle 90-pound tri-colored Bernese mountain dog who sits by his side, lets him pet her and feed her an occasional treat.
“With his illness, I think it brings him a sense of comfort,” Donna said. “The dog really cheers him up. The dog doesn’t ask anything from him. She just sits there and wants to be petted.”
“It’s a pleasure,” Logdon said as he stroked 3-year-old Abbey.
Donna and her husband, Robert Pruszynski, who took over the family business, have three dogs. But they are all a little too lively to visit her father.
Sabina Carinci, Abbey’s owner, thinks the two are a good match.
“I saw it right away,” she said. “When we first walked in, I could see a little bit of a smile in his eyes. I think he likes a big dog. He’s had big dogs all his life.”
Carinci and Abbey, who is certified by Therapy Dogs International, are also part of the Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey’s Caregiver Canines program.
Therapy Dogs International sent out emails earlier in the year to owners interested in bringing their dogs to the Caregiver Volunteers program.
Carinci and Abbey met with Mary Gualandi, who runs the Caregiver Canines program. Gualandi assigned the two to Logdon.
The visits are a way for Logdon to reconnect with a comforting part of his past.
“I just enjoy sharing her with people who can’t have a dog in their house,” Carinci said. “It’s very difficult not living with a dog, once you’ve gotten used to it. I have a special place in my heart for people who aren’t able to have dogs in their lives anymore. All we want is to get a smile or two out of the day. If that happens, our job is done.”
The Caregiver Canines program began about six months ago, said Lynette Whiteman, executive director of Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey. The nonprofit, Toms River-based organization provides volunteers to help the homebound elderly remain independent.
“Everybody in our office are dog lovers,” Whiteman said. “I was thinking about how people are so attached to their dogs and the power of the bond. It seemed like it could be an outgrowth of our organization. Then it just took off better than any- body thought it would. We probably have 10 matches right now.”
Both owners and dogs come into the main office for an interview before they are assigned a particular person to visit, Whiteman said.
“It’s almost like a matchmaking service,” she said. “We find out what kind of dog they had when they were younger.”
Whiteman or Gualandi generally go along for the first visit.
“He needs a big dog,” Whiteman said of Logdon. “I don’t think he would be good with a little dog. I knew he’d get a kick out of it.”
One of the therapy dog owners who was chosen continued to visit one of the people she was matched up with, even though the patient had gotten a cat, Whiteman said.
“They got along so nicely,” she said. “It’s really amazing what happens when you put people together. I just find it miraculous.”
Caregiver Volunteers also provides a variety of other services for homebound individual, all at no charge.
“There’s so much need,” Whiteman said. “We have about 1,000 volunteers. They were out there in the snowstorm. We have a very loyal group of volunteers who really help a lot of people.”
Anyone interested in any of the services Caregiver Volunteers provides may call the main number at 732-505-2273 or visit online at www.caregivervolunteers.org. For the Caregiver Canine program, call (732) 505-2273, ext 202.
“If you have a therapy dog, call us if you’d like to get involved,” Whiteman said.