VOA慢速英语--狗狗缓解因新冠病毒隔离的美国老年人的孤独感.

Over the last nine months, Eileen Nagle has kept in touch with her family through video calls and drive-by visits. But the 79-year-old misses human contact and warm hugs since the coronavirus crisis led her nursing home to close to visitors.

Enter Zeus.

"Zeus is a friendly little snowball, very happy," Nagle said after the small white dog visited her room at the Hebrew Home in The Bronx, New York City.

"Petting and playing with the dogs breaks up the day and gets you to forget about yourself for a while," Nagle added.

The Hebrew Home has had a pet therapy program for 20 years. Little Zeus and a much bigger dog, Marley the Great Dane, are the current program members. The activities department is adding two new dogs to the program. The hope is to give residents more playful and loving contact with the animals.

"It's uplifting to have Zeus come and visit me, especially with COVID and being restricted to my room," said 80-year-old Jeff Philipson. He smiled as he ran his hand through Zeus' soft white fur as the dog played on his bed. "I talk on the phone every day with my daughter and my son, but that's as good as it can get for now."

When the pandemic lockdown began in March, dog therapy was suspended. So were most other activities at the nursing home.

But Daniel Reingold decided¹ to bring it back. He is chief of RiverSpring Health, the nonprofit operator of Hebrew Home. He also is founder² of the pet therapy program.

"We needed to re-energize the pet visiting program since there's no outside visitation allowed," he said. "They've been on the floors bringing happiness and unconditional³ love to residents and staff alike."

The dogs belong to staff members who bring them to work each day. The program does not permit just any dog to take part.

"It has to be a combination of the right owner, right dog and right temperament⁴," said Reingold. His own rescue dog, Kida, is one of the two new members of the pet therapy program.

Reingold explains that the dogs must be able to follow simple commands and behave well around machines and medical equipment.

Cats are also used in the pet therapy program — but only robotic ones. The Hebrew Home has several lifelike robotic cats that make noises as residents hold and pet them.

Catherine Farrell is director of therapeutic⁵ activities at the Hebrew Home. She is also owner of program dog Marley. "The love of an animal is incredible," Farrell said. "For people here who had animals in their life history, seeing dogs triggers memories and opens communication."

Farrell has to stay two meters away from residents and wear a face mask and plastic covering. But Marley can rest his head on residents' beds as they pet him. "To break through the social distancing barrier is really important," Farrell said.

For Hebrew Home resident Elizabeth Pagan, dog visits are a welcome break from months of isolation⁶. She has been restricted to FaceTime calls with her children, grandchildren and her own dog, Ruby⁷.

"It means a lot to me, makes me feel good when I pet the dogs," said Pagan. "My favorite is Marley. He gives me a lot of comfort."

Words in This Story

nursing home –n. a place where people who are old or who are unable to care for themselves live are looked after

therapy –n. a treatment for illness

resident –n. someone who lives in a particular place

allow –v. to permit, to let happen

staff –n. a group of people who are employed by an organization or business

temperament –n. the usual attitude or way of behavior of a person or animal

incredible –adj. very good

trigger –v. to cause to happen, to bring about suddenly

pet -–v. to touch with your hand in a loving or friendly way

comfort –n. a feeling of ease and reduced worry, to not suffer pain or bad conditions

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 Founder   

n.创始者，缔造者

参考例句：

• He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
• According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说，罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。

3 unconditional   

adj.无条件的，无限制的，绝对的

参考例句：

• The victorious army demanded unconditional surrender.胜方要求敌人无条件投降。
• My love for all my children is unconditional.我对自己所有孩子的爱都是无条件的。

4 temperament   

n.气质，性格，性情

参考例句：

• The analysis of what kind of temperament you possess is vital.分析一下你有什么样的气质是十分重要的。
• Success often depends on temperament.成功常常取决于一个人的性格。

5 therapeutic   

adj.治疗的，起治疗作用的；对身心健康有益的

参考例句：

• Therapeutic measures were selected to fit the patient.选择治疗措施以适应病人的需要。
• When I was sad,music had a therapeutic effect.我悲伤的时候，音乐有治疗效力。

6 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。

7 ruby   

n.红宝石，红宝石色

参考例句：

• She is wearing a small ruby earring.她戴着一枚红宝石小耳环。
• On the handle of his sword sat the biggest ruby in the world.他的剑柄上镶有一颗世上最大的红宝石。