Therapy dog’s art benefits West Lake Terrace
West Lake Terrace resident Odie Noble cuddles with Gibson.
Owner sells paw-print paintings to raise funds for home, humane society
Gibson the pug’s paws are therapeutic for residents of West Lake Terrace.
And now, those paws are proving to be artistic as well.
West Lake Terrace resident Ken Scheer snuggles with Gibson.
Gibson’s owner and West Lake Terrace volunteer, Lesley Campbell, has made a collection of artwork featuring her therapy dog’s paw-prints. She has been selling the pictures to raise money for the Prince Edward County long-term care home and a local humane society.
West Lake Terrace is excited to be a beneficiary, and has learned it will receive a $300 cheque from Lesley, which will go towards Christmas presents for the residents.
Lesley alone is a gift to the home, says West Lake Terrace life enrichment co-ordinator (LEC) Janie Denard.
“We’re so lucky to have her as a volunteer and as part of our family at West Lake Terrace,” Janie tells The OMNIway.
“She’s just one-of-a-kind.”
For the past four years, Lesley has been regularly providing pet therapy and also sends each resident a birthday card with a picture of Gibson included. She dresses up the pup in costumes for all of the holidays.
Through her latest endeavour, Lesley has made pictures of a variety of subjects such as rainbows and flowers and has sold some of the work online.
West Lake Terrace resident Donna Nugent visits with Huxley.
The fundraiser will help Janie fill residents’ stockings to the brim and ensure each of the home’s 47 residents have something to open on Christmas morning.
The year 2019 has been a tough one for staff of West Lake Terrace as the home has had a number of residents pass away. The volunteer is aware of that loss.
“She does pet therapy for the residents but she looks out for the staff too,” Janie notes.
The dog owner has also been bringing a puppy she’s training named Huxley to visit residents along with the much-loved Gibson.
“Lesley is probably of our biggest supporters. She goes above and beyond.”
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