Club Notes

THE VILLAGES — Jack Daniels was a big hit Thursday at The Village of Homewood.

Not to be confused with the Tennessee whiskey, this Jack Daniels is an adorable 6-pound pooch.

The 1-year-old canine is owned by Joan Daniels of the Village of Poinciana, and is a mixed breed — part teacup poodle and part miniature wire dachshund.

“He’s just dog,” Daniels said smiling, and that’s the answer she gives when she’s asked about his breed. She knew the minute she laid her eyes on the tiny canine that he had the makings of a therapy dog.

Daniels and her dog are certified through Caring Canines Therapy Dogs Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Eustis that visits nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, hospitals and camps for seriously ill children.

“I just knew it was the right thing to do; I wanted to give back,” said Daniels, who delights in visiting the Village of Homewood, which provides residents with assisted-living care and has an Alzheimer’s unit.

“He is just precious,” said Gladys Hollister, who couldn’t resist giving Jack Daniels a little doggy treat.

Florine “Teen” Devlin flashed a wide smile as she cuddled the dog on her lap.

“I love him,” the 96-year-old beamed. “I had a brown dog almost like him, and a black one, too.”

Devlin proudly showed a small photo album of her favorite dog, Peppie.

“All of the ladies here are so interesting,” said Daniels, who enjoyed mingling one-on-one with Devlin and Hollister. “They’ve done so much. They tell me about their animals and their life, and I feel very blessed that I have gotten to know them.”

Daniels carries her dog’s papers with his vaccines during her visits, and she notes that Caring Canines is insured.

“That way nursing facilities and hospitals know that you have insurance and your dog is OK,” Daniels said. “You have your vet records and everything with you.”

Holly Rische, life enrichment coordinator, said several groups have come to visit the Village of Homewood residents.

“Lots of people come with dogs and it’s a wonderful thing,” Rische said. “They come and visit as a group, but Joan has gone beyond, to provide this one-on-one time with her dog.”

Rische was thrilled by the extra attention Daniels and her dog gave Devlin on Thursday.

“I think it’s one of the most important things that we can do for Teen at this point and time in her life,” Rische said. “Teen is special and she really loves animals and dogs.”

Homewood’s life enrichment coordinator has found residents are more responsive after a visit with the animals, sharing fun times they had with pets when they were children, or while raising their own families.

“The animals take them back,” Rische said, “to a place and time when they felt good.”