Nicole & Chausette

"I felt Chausette and I as a team had something to offer people who are less fortunate through age, illness or ability."

Chausette is our beloved “newfie” and family member. She adores walking to school to collect the kids, thrives on human interaction, she’s a leaning post and confidante for my boys and whilst she’s far from a guard dog she is insightful, intuitive, loyal and a gentle giant.

I learnt about the Delta Society when visiting our local vet.  Chausette’s characteristics were a true match for the criteria and whilst I work part-time and dedicate significant time to my family I felt Chausette and I as a team had something to offer people who are less fortunate through age, illness or ability.

We visit a local nursing home offering a pat, conversation, diversion, friendship and memories.  We’ve encouraged residents to leave the confines of their rooms for the first time in months, to extend their hand post-stroke, to walk, to talk, to smile, to laugh, to remember, to forget, to reminisce about their own animals and in some instances and with no encouragement, to sit on the floor and hug their “baby bear” that is Chausette.

The nature of the place we visit does see us having to bid farewell to many a resident.   What makes the process easier to fathom is the personal reward of contributing to the happiness of that resident, the resident who was a kid, teenager, achiever, contributor, husband/wife, parent, grandparent, great grandparent – many of which we all will be one day.