Dog Delights Alzheimer Patients

Originally published by The Associated Press, June 14, 2001

GRAND RAPIDS — One resident of an assisted living facility is getting more than his share of attention—including two cushy beds and tons of table scraps.

But many say the attention give to Cinder, a 7-year-old black Labrador that joined Raybrook Manor this spring, is well-deserved.

"He's quite a dog," said 85-year-old Ralph Sims.

Recently, Sims fell in his room. He called for help and Cinder came running. When he saw Sims on the floor, the dog went to fetch a staff member, barking until someone followed him to Sims' room. Sims was unhurt.

Cinder came to the Cook Center Alzheimer's unit at Raybrook, which is part of Holland Home, at the end of April and quickly made himself at home, said Raybrook Administrator Cyndi Taplin.

"This has been the greatest thing for this unit," Taplin told The Grand Rapids Press for a Monday story.

"It was a big decision to get a dog because families (of residents) had concerns. But now we can't imagine not having Cinder."

While Raybrook staff was considering a dog, Dave Kraker, an environmental health director at the Kent County Health Department, was looking for a good home for Cinder.

Cinder had come to the animal shelter as a stray five years ago, and he was so good with people that he became the shelter's "ambassador dog."

But Kraker wanted Cinder to have a permanent home.

He took the dog along to an area nursing home when he went to visit his father. And when he saw how the dog responded to the seniors, he thought Cinder might be what Raybrook wanted.

"So we dropped him off there for a half a day just to see how it would work out, and they loved him," Kraker said.