Furry friend visits DayBreak Center

SANDPOINT — When Loris and Dick Michael first adopted 1-year-old Lucy from Priest River Animal Rescue in July 2016, she was scared and had behavioral issues, eating sandals and climbing on furniture.

But now, as Lucy enters the DayBreak Center on Tuesdays, making her way around the room to visit the seniors, it is apparent those issues are in the past. It only took a few months of loving care and training, said Loris Michael, before Lucy became the "sweetest" dog.

"She is very gentle," Michael said. "It just comes natural to her."

Lucy, now more than 2 years old, obeys commands, never licks or paws at people, and only barks on rare occasions.

The DayBreak Center is a program of the Sandpoint Area Seniors, Inc., that provides quality daytime care for individuals with memory impairment, such as Alzheimer's disease. For the center's participants, Lucy provides company and comfort each Tuesday as Michael, who is a SASi board member, heads over to the senior center to play bridge. And Lucy is eager to please, which might, in part, be due to the treats she is rewarded with by everyone in attendance.

Anne Haynes, the DayBreak Center's program coordinator, said Lucy's visits are "calming" for the DayBreak seniors.

"A lot of people like to engage in games, and other people want to just relax on the sidelines, and she'll go to them and hang out with them — it gives them sort of a focus," Haynes said.

The DayBreak Center is a daytime program and social center for elders and those with cognitive problems. The mission of the center, according to information provided by Haynes, is to provide respite and support services for families and caregivers to help empower them to continue to care for their loved one, keeping them at home as long as possible. It is designed to provide a safe, caring environment for the aging that respects the individual and their need for socialization, and to provide activities and opportunities to help the participants reach and maintain their highest level of functioning and self-fulfillment.

These types of programs have been proven to reduce elder abuse, improve relationships, help with depression of both participant and caregiver, and delay the need for a care facility, such as a nursing home.

Staff and volunteers provide coffee and conversation, and throughout the day they enjoy some brain games, music and sing alongs, art, card games, dominoes, Yahtzee, bingo and more. When the weather is nice, they take short walks or hang out on the patio playing games like horseshoes and ladder ball. When the group is engaged in a game, Lucy will lie under the table, sit at someone's side, or sometimes she will go look out the window.

"She just stays close and enjoys anyone who wants to pet her," Haynes said. "She has always been sweet and really, really well behaved."

Michael said when she drops Lucy off, she tells her she is "going to work today," and in turn, Lucy is eager to go and "seems to bring joy to all."

For information, call the DayBreak Center at 208-265-8127 or SASi at 208-263-6860.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.