As Micki Mocha embarks on her day at the Crawford Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Fall River, the first stop on her daily rounds is the rehabilitation gym, where she sees one of her favorite residents, Bernard O’Donnell. A smile takes over his face as the canine candy striper kisses the Alzheimer’s patient’s upturned chin.
Make no bones about it; the 10-pound Yorkshire terrier has brightened his day.
“She makes friends with everyone. Some of the people who respond to little else respond to her,” said Crawford executive director Louise Merrick, Micki’s boss and owner. “He (O’Donnell) doesn’t respond to anyone.”
As the elderly man cuddles the pooch on his lap, physical therapy assistant Donna Costa asks, “Did you have a dog Mr. O’Donnell?”
“Mmmm,” he replies.
“Do you like Micki?” Costa queries. “Does she make your day happier?”
“Mmmm … Micki,” he responds as he lovingly pets the coffee-and-chocolate-colored canine.
“I always bring her in here when I work with the patients. She gives them all a boost as soon as they see her,” said Costa. “Micki puts a smile on Mr. O’Donnell’s face every day.”
Though most of her day entails meeting with the residents, she’s also adept at multitasking.
For a short time after lunch, her job shifts from hospitality to the housekeeping department when she mops up the crumbs on the cafeteria floor.
The center maintains a personnel file on the 2-year-old employee for State Department of Health review. She’s had all her shots and is certified in therapeutic pet training.
“She’s grown up in nursing homes,” said Merrick. “Some people don’t like dogs. She has an innate ability to know who those people are and she avoids them.”
Living with the boss may have some advantages, like being able to take a break on her desk, but it has yet to gain Micki access to the kitchen, one of the places she’d just love to explore. And the pay is lousy — nonexistent in fact. But the perks are plenty: lovingly knitted coats and sweaters from the residents, dog treats and plenty of toys for Christmas.
After leaving the gym, Micki makes a quick detour to say hello to Essie DeMelo, scheduler and central supply coordinator. As Micki races toward DeMelo with exuberant tail-wagging, it’s evident that the pair have a lasting work friendship. It’s also obvious that DeMelo is the keeper of the workplace treats, though in this case it’s not a strategically placed candy jar but a pocketful of tiny doggie bones.
