Wednesday, January 31, 2007
The Loss of a Great Volunteer
I heard some very sad news last week.BJ, a beloved volunteer, lost her battle with cancer.
I heard the news from BJ's best friend Betty.
Betty G. and BJ were one of the first animal assisted therapy teams to join our PALS (Pets And Love Shared) program in it's infancy 3 years ago. BJ was a furry brown dog with deep soulful eyes and a real gift at knowing who needed some gentle unconditional love.
BJ was diagnosed with cancer awhile ago and had some dramatic facial surgery that left her scarred but still able to visit all her beloved people at chaparral House in Berkeley.
The staff and residents there will miss her, the PALS gang will miss her, and most of all I know her family (especially Betty) will miss her very much. Her work as a therapy dog volunteer touched many people.
Lucky for Betty, she is not out of a job. BJ was working on raising up a successor. Gypsy will be doing visits and trying to fill the big pawprints left behind by a wonderful spirit.
