Real Heroes

It’s been two years since I sold my restaurant. What a relief to have been freed from the stresses of running a very demanding business.

But cooking remains an interest I want to pursue. I enjoy cooking not only for my family but for other people.

I’m now cooking again in a big kitchen. A Senior Living facility hired me as a part-time cook. This all happened during the height of the global pandemic.

People working in a facility like this are hailed as heroes. But I think I don’t deserve such a recognition. I’m just a cook. What’s heroic about that?

I reserve the title of a hero to those who save lives—the doctors, nurses caregivers and first responders. Working in this facility, I meet some of them. But there’s one that stands out!

Meet Lucy

Lucy was just a puppy when she was rescued from an animal shelter. She was trained to be Therapy Dog at the Senior Living Facility.

Everyone loves Lucy. She’s an important part of the staff of the Senior Living facility. The residents know Lucy and Lucy knows each of the residents. She visits them in their rooms daily.

Lucy the Therapist

A Therapy dog is trained to provide affection, comfort and support to people. Therapy dogs bring many physical benefits to humans they visit. They help lower blood pressure and heart rate, reduce anxiety and increase levels of endorphins and oxytocin.

Dogs also learn how to respond to unsettling situations, unfamiliar sights and sounds.

Research has shown therapy dogs can reduce stress and provide a sense of connection in difficult situations

Dogs can also sense stress or fear by using their keen sense of smell. They can detect when a person is sweating due to being anxious or afraid.

Lucy the Faithful Servant

No one can beat Lucy’s dedication to service. She’s been serving the facility for 15 years now. So in dog years she would be 105 years—much older than any of the residents. Lucy herself is now a Senior and has been on medication for diabetes, arthritis and other old folks’ ailments. On days that I cook, someone comes to the kitchen saying, “Can you give Lucy a piece of ham to go with her pills?”

But Lucy still makes her daily rounds, faithfully giving comfort and friendship to the senior residents.

Lucy the Real Hero

Lucy did a remarkable job recently. She literary SAVED a resident’s life!!

In the morning of June 3rd, Lucy visited Mrs. Jones (not her real name) in her room. She found the sweet old lady laying on her bed and her breakfast untouched. This was unusual for Mrs. Jones, who usually welcomed Lucy, picked her up and pet her.

Lucy sensed danger. She started barking loudly. She is normally calm, quiet and gentle and so this show of restlessness was very noticeable to those familiar with Lucy. She ran the stretch of the hallway towards the reception desk and found Nurse Mary. Lucy barked all the more getting Nurse Mary’s attention. Lucy beckoned Nurse Mary to follow her to Mrs. Jones’ room.

Nurse Mary found Mrs. Jones lying on her bed unresponsive. The paramedics were called and rushed Mrs. Jones to the hospital.

Mrs. Jones is well now and back to her room in the Senior Living Facility. Thanks to Lucy who saved her life!

The other hero in this story is Nurse Mary. It’s amazing how she responded to the prodding of the Therapy Dog. Had she ignored Lucy’s call for help, the heroic action would not have been made. This remarkable human and animal teamwork is worthy of recognition.

Lucy and Nurse Mary are well deserving of awards such as employees of the month and employees of the year.

But better still if both are conferred the

“Life Achievement Award.”