Community Corner
Mike Loves the Residents at Kingston Center
How a Highly Certified Beautiful Two-year Old English Bulldog Mix Became a Hit at the Center
by Jeff Jacomowitz
If you ever wanted to meet the most lovable pet therapy dog, Mike takes the cake! The nearly three-year old English bulldog mix who will be celebrating a birthday "adopted-day" on July 3, visited the residents and staff on June 4 at the Kingston Center, a 55-bed nursing home and rehabilitation facility on Gardiner Road in West Kingston. Mike was brought to Kingston Center through Green Airport - PVD Pups and "Paws from the Heart", an organization that works at educating communities on the opportunities and benefits of pet therapy, located on Jefferson Blvd in Warwick. Green Airport has a roster of pups for different occasions.
Mike visiting residents at Kingston Center
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Mike was adopted locally in Coventry, RI, by Michelle and Gary Rose, one of the dog therapy teams under the "Paws From the Heart" umbrella. Originally, he was adopted from a rescue in New York by Zani's Furry Friends and soon afterwards, Mike underwent training, earning his first of two certificates, the first a pet therapy certificate with T.F. Green Airport last October and in December, Mike earned a second certificate, this time from Paws From the Heart, where he did his training for medical and health care facilities. This past January, Michelle and Gary started offering pet therapy at a Cranston skilled nursing facility every other week and then onto Kingston Center in the spring.
"We started volunteering at the Kingston Center on April 28th and continue to visit with staff and residents twice a month," said Michelle Rose. "We love seeing the smiles that Mike brings out in folks."
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Kim Zyma, Kingston Center's Recreation Director, contacted Michelle and Gary after seeing their post asking if there was any organization, business or school that would be interested in bringing pet therapy to Kingston Center.
"All of our residents fell in love with Mike," said Kim Zyma, Recreation Director at Kingston Center. "They rub his belly, pet him and Mike soaks it all in. I know there's so many fun-loving dogs out there, but Mike has incredible with our folks here."
All of Mike's training and certifications were done through Susan and Harry Park of Dynamic Dog Training.
