Randolph Center’s Louise Sjobeck and her therapy dog Jasmine bring joy to local seniors
For almost two years Randolph Center resident Louise Sjobeck and her dog Jasmine have been making monthly visits to residents at Gifford’s Menig Nursing Home and participants in the Project Independence (PI) and the Bethel Adult Day centers, bringing entertainment and the unconditional love only a dog can offer to community seniors.
Sometimes Jasmine will be wearing conversation-starting costumes, but Sjobeck outdid herself on August 24th when she staged a dog wedding for Jasmine and PI mascot Ozzie at the Project Independence Center in Barre.
The wedding party, who all happened to be Shih Tzu’s, included the Dog Bride and Husband, a Dog of Honor, Best Dog, Flower Dog, and Ring Bearer—all decked out in appropriate outfits. There was even a wedding videographer.
Sjobeck wrote out a complete “muttrimony” service (all in canine terms), and human “Pawster” Tony Campos officiated with humor and grace. The PI staff all helped with decorating and planning, generated enthusiasm before the event by organizing craft sessions (making wedding cards to give to the dogs) and creating activities around the event’s theme (a “where will the canines spend their honeymoon?” game). PI Chef Patricia Haupt created a beautiful tiered wedding cake for the celebration. Needless to say, all involved had a great time.
The event was so successful that in October Sjobeck and PI Assistant to the Director Barb Clark will be taking shorter repeat wedding performances to residents at Menig and participants at Bethel Adult Day.
