By Jan Tomlinson
The Chase Project was created during Covid when pet therapy visits had been discontinued in all facilities. I could not visit with my Sheltie, Chase, so I decided to create a project that used a little stuffed Sheltie to help people cope with their isolation during Covid. Thus, Chase Junior was born as a therapy dog.
Money was raised to order 50 Chase Juniors who were then donated to the hospital, nursing homes, assisted living residents, and doctors’ offices.
After Covid, I teamed with Yavapai County District Supervisor, Donna Michaels, to continue this project. We donated 150 of them to Meals on Wheels, many more to the Infusion Unit at VVMC, the Dialysis facility, and the Verde Valley Caregivers. We are now paired with the Department of Child Services, and with donations from the Camp Verde Kiwanis Club and the Sedona Rotary Club, have donated 50 Chase Juniors which are now given to each child who is taken from their home and placed in foster care. This little therapy dog helps them cope with the trauma and stress of their new situation.
Now, to the stories that have made their way back to me about this project.
A friend of mine’s sister was in a nursing facility. When she went to see her on the last of her days here on earth, one of the aides had placed her Chase Junior on her chest to comfort her during these final days.
A patient at my eye doctor was having a particularly difficult time. After giving her Chase Junior to help her, she took him home with her for a few days. He helped her with her stress and getting through a few rough days.
Her husband took pictures of her with Chase Junior all around the house! He is now residing back at the office helping other patients.
When we visited the Infusion Unit at VVMC, one patient was so stressed and anxious. When we gave her Chase Junior to hold, she said that her heart rate had dropped dramatically and that she was feeling much calmer.
When we gave them to the patients at the dialysis center, they told us stories about their own dogs, which helped take their mind off the long process of lying there for hours. It also helped them to know that someone cared about them and was willing to spend some time with them.
The dental hygienists at my dentist give a Chase Junior to anyone to hug and hold while they are working on their teeth. It keeps them calm and quiet during the procedure.
I have also sent several Chase Junior to friends who are having chemotherapy and who are now living in an assisted facility. There is now a Chase Junior living in Minnesota, Virginia, California, Wisconsin, and Mesa. He has made a difference in all the lives he has touched.
These are a few of the stories that have come back to me, and I am sure that there are a lot more of them out there. We hope to continue this project well into the future in the Verde Valley.
~Jan Tomlinson
Founder and CEO of The Chase Project
