Day 1562

This boy still has the Therapy Dog Charm! Filling in for a fellow Golden, we headed over to the Unity/Mercy campus to help a few people struggling with anxiety and other mental health issues. Ranger was a “rock star” and made sure to work the crowd and leave no one “unsniffed”, licked or nuzzled. He was successful.

We used to do the PhP Program (partial hospitalization program) for a number of years. Actually, Ranger had his 500th visit right there! Always welcomed, we enjoyed our time when it was at the Mercy Campus as well. Now, it is a bit of a drive, so we handed (pawed) it off to a very worthy successor. We do miss it…

After a break in that direction, I noticed something at our visit today that will not leave my mind or heart.

For the majority, the dozen or more people in the group showed no signs of distress or obvious depression. They were animated, delighted to see Ranger and calm. We had a lovely time together. So why am I ruminating over the visit?

These individuals were there for a reason. They were receiving help for high mental distress of one type or another yet most showed no signs of their struggles. They could have been in the next pew at church, behind us in line at the grocery store or someone who waves hello in the neighborhood. There were no telltale signs.

That is what would not leave my heart. All of us have challenges of one sort or another, but some people face debilitating hurdles. We just don’t know it because they are adept at hiding their angst.

Not that everyone you meet has severe issues in the mental health realm, but some of them do! It’s hard to tell the difference! The challenge is to open your mind and heart to the possibility that someone you meet might be struggling. The only way I can help is to treat everyone with kindness and keep an eye open for those in pain…

“A man was walking along the beach at the ocean when he saw a young boy pick up a stranded starfish and throw it back into the sea. He asked, “Why are you doing that? There are hundreds and you can’t save them all!” The little boy gently picked up another and tossed it into the water, saying, “I saved that one!”

Even if I only help one “starfish,” it will make a difference. Just think…if everyone helped one “starfish,” this world would be a much kinder place!