September 4, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
Spreading happiness to the max!
Each Saturday residents of NHC Smithville are treated to a visit by Helga Thompson and her dog Max. Going from room to room, they greet the folks and many of the residents get to pet Max and hand him a doggie treat provided by Helga.
Thompson said it’s a joy to see those smiling faces each week and to know she and Max are helping make someone’s day a little brighter.
Helga explained how she got the idea.
“I had a friend that used to do Karaoke at the nursing home and the people loved it. When I got Max I realized he is just a lover dog so I thought I needed to get him around people. I brought him to the Karaoke events at NHC and I saw how the people enjoyed being able to pet and talk to him so I asked NHC if I could bring him just to visit people. They said as long as he has had his shots I could bring him. That was about five years ago,” said Thompson.
“I work with the activities director there at NHC and I am an official volunteer with Max. He is on their schedule on Saturdays. We go around to each room. Max is big enough to go up to the bed and they (residents) can put their hand on him and give him a treat. Max is so gentle that I can put these little doggie treat bones between somebody’s fingers and he just nuzzles it out. That’s how gentle he is. Max will sit or give his paw. That’s about all that he does but that’s enough. We just try to spread a little love. I think more of them (residents) know Max’s name now than they do mine. He is known as Max the lover dog,” said Thompson.
“When visitors began returning after the pandemic hit, Max was among the first to come on a regular basis,” said Ryan Vaden, Administrator. “Animals are very important to our patients, and we’re grateful that Helga is willing to share her dog with NHC. Visits with Max are therapeutic for everyone.”