Volunteers photograph residents with therapy dog

July 19--A local photography group put its time and talents to use to bring a little cheer at a special care center.

Chicks Who Click spent their Tuesday afternoon last week helping residents at the Marshall Pines Alzheimer's Special Care Center celebrate National Pet Day.

"Most of our residents have had pets in the past and can't physically take care of one now," said Kelly Hilley, the center's program director. "With JEA, what we focus on, especially dealing with dementia- related diagnosis, are that we want to honor dignity and respect through the aging process, so we capitalize on not only who the person is now, but who they once were. We try to bring back little pieces of memories and making every moment count and purposeful for them."

A member of the Alliance Pet Therapy group was on hand with a certified pet therapy dog, Dixie, who spent time with the residents, being pet and doing tricks, while the photography group captured the happy moments.

Hilley said the group was also photographing patients using their specialty cameras and photography skills, for photos that would be used as gifts at a later time.

"We have a National Parents' Day coming up on the 23rd and we are going to use some of those photos as gifts to give back to our families," Hilley said.

Chicks who Click member Amanda Iverson said it was the group's first time volunteering with the center and that it was a "delightful opportunity."

"We are always looking for more volunteers, to broaden that spectrum like through the artistic view and through different genres," Hilley said. "We have musicians that come in at least once a month and we have child volunteers and also student volunteers."

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