Partners and Paws Summer 2022

Facility Partner SPOTLIGHT

Checking in with Ada

It is safe to say that Saint Francis Facility Dog Ada has gotten into her groove since she was placed at Riverside Rehabilitation Hospital in Newport News, Virginia just over two years ago. “She struts down the hall as if she runs this building. Everyone knows who she is and wants to spend time with her,” says Ada’s primary handler Sara Clark. “She is truly seen as everyone’s favorite co-worker.” And, boy, does she work hard....Ada is an integral part of the staff ’s daily routine at Riverside, along with being a valued asset to the patients’ group and individual therapy sessions. Riverside Rehab helps hundreds of patients a year as they recover from stroke, brain injury, orthopedic trauma, spinal cord trauma, and many other conditions. Ada is able to use the over 40 specialized skills and tasks she learned in the Saint Francis Training Program to help patients regain strength and independence. As a bonus, she makes it a lot more fun at the same time! One activity that patients (and Ada, of course) enjoy is to go outside in the therapy garden and throw the tennis ball. It may sound simple, but in reality, it is so much more. “It helps our patients increase range of motion in affected arms, increases their standing balance while doing dynamic movements, and works on increased communication skills by using Ada’s commands during the activity,” says Sara. Over the course of any given week, Ada has between 80 to 100 therapeutic patient interactions and directly participates in more than 20 individual patient therapy sessions. While these are all unique, Ada is able to adapt to help, not only physically, but emotionally, bringing smiles and joy to those around her. Sometimes, she even serves as a small reminder of why they are working so hard to get better. Sara says, “ She is able to walk on a leash alongside the patients to help them practice for when they go home to their own beloved pets.” We are so excited to see all of the amazing work Ada does and will continue to do. We know through her special combination of hard work and joy, she will undoubtedly touch and help improve the lives of the patients of Riverside Rehab for many years to come.

“Ada is always working hard to bring joy to all of our patients.”

Thank you to Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, for making this partnership possible.

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