Paws & Hearts, 42-600 Cook Street, Ste. 207, Palm Desert, CA (2026)

08/31/2026

The last day of August and hopefully fall isn’t too far away! This week’s report is from “Willie” and his Mom Sandra and they visit the Comprehensive Cancer Center every Monday morning.

Willie had a wonderful day. The nurses gave him great pets and definitely a butt massage. His tail never stopped wagging. Several patients had big dogs and loved his soft fur and gave him lots of pets and rubs. Several people even remembered him and his name and called to him to come and visit! He snuggled up and sat on their foot, which caused lots of laughter

Willie moved from person to person, wagging his tail consistently. He cuddled up to people, then moved to the next one. One man was a cat lover, but Willie liked him anyway. At least half the people had dogs and Willie sniffed their legs up and down.

The staff and all the patients made Willie feel very special for his visits this morning!

08/24/2026

The weeks Volunteer Report is from “Poppy” and her Mom Gail. Poppy has been visiting at Rancho Mirage Healthcare for the past few months, but prior to that she was visiting at Willow Springs/Manor Care. Last Friday Poppy and Gail went to visit a special friend at Manor Care, and here is their report!

Let me tell you about our second visit this week!! I had an amazing experience this afternoon with Poppy. I finally was able to visit Jan. She wanted us to come but she doesn't always feel well and she has various people who come to her during the week -- caseworker, social worker, Pastor, etc. We had finally set it up for 2pm today. An attendant brought her to the reception area in her wheelchair. I put Poppy on her lap and Poppy stayed there for an hour and 15 minutes without moving. She was so relaxed. I was amazed. On our visits she will get on someone's lap and turn around to give kisses. Sit up, lie down, etc. Jan and I talked the whole time and she was petting Poppy the whole time and really enjoying it. I really feel that Poppy could sense that this was what Jan needed. Maybe I'm reading too much into it.

Poppy and I had a lovely visit with Jan this afternoon. My little dog is pretty good at this Pet Therapy work isn’t she?

08/17/2026

This Monday’s Volunteer Report is from “Thor” and his Dad Bob and every Monday morning they visit the residents at Vista Cove Memory Care in Rancho Mirage.

In the 2nd building, the residents were not sitting in their usual seats. Frequently one of the first 3 residents we visit with is Gail and she is usually sitting on one of the 3 lounge chairs on the right side by the door. Once Thor sees Gail, he likes to jump on her chair and lay next to her. Today Gail was sitting on the other side of the room on the couch. I'm not sure if Thor was looking for Gail in the lounge chair, but he did jump onto one of the 3 chairs and this time Sissy was in the chair. This made Sissy extremely happy and she immediately had to give him a big kiss on his head.

Sitting in the next chair over was a newer resident (Mary). In the past Mary did not seem to be interested in petting Thor. Today was totally different, after Mary watched Thor with Sissy, Mary reach over to give Thor ear rubs and Thor did not want to leave her side. Finally we went over to the couch where Gail was sitting. Thor jumped onto the couch sitting next to Gail. After a few minutes of receiving Gail's attention a new resident (Lloyd) in his wheelchair and his wife (Betsy) came over to meet Thor. Betsy was very impressed with his personality and wanted to know when we visit. I told her Monday mornings, and Betsy stated that she would try to include visits with Thor.

Finally in the 1st building, Vista Cove added new longe chairs facing the TV. Thor could not wait to try out the new chairs. Sitting next to one of the new chairs was Chu. She has been there since the beginning of our visits at Vista Cove. Thor sat at back of the chair and Chu reach over to give a Thor a big hug. The smile on her face said it all, you could tell it made her so happy!

A pretty good morning with our memory care clients!

08/10/2026

Our newest Canine Ambassador to join the group is “Henry,” and he and his Mom Barbara are visiting Willow Springs (Manor Care) every Thursday morning. Henry has fallen into step very quickly visiting the residents in the community room, PT room, and by going room-to-room. Here is their first solo report!

Henry was more prepared today when we arrived at Willow Springs and I was comfortable with the routine. Henry sniffed the floor only a few times as he realized that so many people wanted to pet and love him.

Cher accompanied me and we first visited the small gathering space where Henry visited residents in wheelchairs. I think Henry "gets" it; he spent more time leaning against the wheelchairs than he did last week in order for people to pet him. It is lovely to see their smiles and they all are gentle with him.

We next visited Janet who wanted Henry to be on the bed with her, and it took a bit of time for Henry to make the leap as it is a tight space. Henry curled up next to Janet with his head facing me at the foot of the bed. I know you can't take pictures there but I asked Janet if I could take a closeup picture of Henry so she could see how happy he was to be there (photo below). She agreed.

Finally, we visited patients in the physical therapy room. This was a very good solo visit and Henry and I really enjoyed the time we spent visiting the residents!

08/06/2026

Today is August 6, and it would be Drew’s 83rd birthday and if he were still alive.

To say that these past three years has been an easy transformation would be so wrong. I can honestly say that the hole in my heart has never reduced in size or even begun to heal. I miss Drew more than words can ever imagine. I still can’t believe that 16 years of friendship, arguments, presentations for P & H’s side by side all flashed by so quickly. Wasn’t it just yesterday that we took Lucky and Scruffy on a visit to…………………..??

I think his absence hits me the most when we get a big donation or grant and all I want to do is call him and share it with him. He took such great pride in our success. We’d always go to the bank together to make these special deposits. Ugh……

Drew, I will probably celebrate your birthday as long as I am alive because you left such a profound influence on me. I have never stopped missing you and honest-to-God, life was a hell of a lot better with you in it, than the way it is now. I would kill to hear you raise your voice and go “Waxman, you are aggravating me!” And my response, “I live to aggravate you Marefos, because you fall for it each and every time!” “Would you like a carrot cake with butter cream frosting, or a red velvet cake for your birthday big boy?” Rest in peace you Greek God!

08/03/2026

To start off August this report was actually dictated from “Shelby” the Westie to his Mom Sandie and they along with “Hudson” another adorable Westie visit the Cancer Center on Tuesday mornings. This is Shelby’s Volunteer Report!

It’s Tuesday and we’re going to the center. I got my bandanna on and I even stood still to get brushed. So excited. But, then, my mom came out with a second bandanna and put it on Hudson and she brushed him too. Darn…. He is coming along. Oh well. He just kind of hangs back anyway and I get to greet patients, kiss them, and cuddle on their laps. But, that’s not what happened today.

The first patients we saw I recognized from last time and they called my name. I ran over to them and greeted them. They touched me, noticed my new haircut, and waited for kisses. Until….. they noticed Hudson. Then it was all about him - how cute, how old, where was he last week??

By the time we got to first floor, however, Hudson got a little less nervous and a little more “pushy” with me. I had settled onto the feet of a patient and Hudson decided to just horn in, push me aside and sit on her feet where I was! He’s so big, he just pushed me aside. Then, another time, mom lifted me on a chair next to this man and Hudson jumped up on top of me to lick his hand! I am becoming annoyed.

On the 2nd floor, I decided to bolt out of the elevator so I could be the first to spot someone and pull mom over to them. I forgot our leashes were connected, so the faster I went, the faster Hudson went. But, I got there first! The couple in the chairs commented about how friendly, social, and outgoing I was because I came running to them. Little did they know there was a big competition going on between me and my “shy” brother, who was not so shy at all today!

A lot of people thanked us for coming and said how much better they felt after being with us. I know they were just being nice including Hudson in their compliments, but, I knew it was mostly me they loved! My mom said Hudson did a good job today.

I am going to figure out a way to hide Hudson’s bandanna so we have to leave him home next time!

07/27/2026

Another Monday and this week’s Volunteer Report is from “Muffin” and her Mom Althea and they visit the Comprehensive Cancer Center every Friday Morning!

Muffin Dog and I had a good visit today. The center was not very busy but we did see several people who were happy to see her and to get a kiss.

People like to talk about their pets at home and one man told us that his small dog is a yapper and barks at everything. We have gotten to know some of the patients and they look forward to seeing Muffin every Friday morning!

The staff are always really happy to see her and they make a big fuss when she is ‘on the job’ as a proud Canine Ambassador, making the patients and family members feel just a little bit better!

Just a lovely Friday morning for Muffin and I to give back to the community!

07/20/2026

Monday morning again, and this week our report is from “Chloe” and her Mom Linda. Every Monday morning they visit the rehab patients and the Memory Care area at Bayshire, Rancho Mirage. (You’ll note that Chloe smiles in each and every photo! She truly is amazing as a Canine Ambassador!)

Today’s visit was very productive. Chloe and I saw numerous patients and they were all thrilled to start their day spending time with Chloe. They couldn’t thank us enough for devoting our time to come and visit with them.

Everyone, including a woman who claimed she wasn’t a dog person, enjoyed seeing Chloe. Her daughter, who was visiting her wanted to pet Chloe. As the daughter was petting Chloe, the mother, who had initially resisted, decided to give it a try and fell in love with our little girl. It was truly remarkable how Chloe managed to win her over.

Another lovely Monday morning at Bayshire!

07/13/2026

Another Monday and another Volunteer Report. This report is from the mascot Canine Ambassador, “Terry!” Even though I am Terry’s Dad and never thought he had it in him to work as a therapy dog, I have to say that he is doing pretty good on his visits to both Amber Houses. This is our current report!

Friday morning again and off we go up Hwy 74 to Haystack to visit these two beautiful Board & Care facilities that have come to know us.

From the minute we walk into the first house Terry is ‘on!’ He’s gotten very good at knowing which patients want him really close so they can give him a fast kiss or stroke his hair. Terry knows that when the patients are sitting in chairs he can put his front paws up on shoulders so he is face to face with his friends!

Sadly, we have lost three of our new friends in the months we have been visiting and that is always tough. Terry is good at making new friends on the spot, but it is nice to see at least a few of his ‘regulars’ week after week that want to talk about his ‘work-life!’ His career as I call it.

I’m delighted Terry is following in the footsteps, or pawsteps as it were, of his four predecessors!

07/06/2026

The start of another month and this week’s Volunteer is from one of our longest-standing volunteers, Karen Dorn. Karen has been a volunteer for probably 20 + years. She took Waldo & Emerson (pictured—you’ll notice Drew in this picture) to various facilities in the valley and their last gig was visiting Sunday afternoons at Rancho Mirage Healthcare. Sadly, both Waldo and Emerson are at The Rainbow Bridge, but Karen has adopted a 10+ year old pup from a shelter who is the most amazing little guy, and cute beyond words. They now visit every Friday afternoon at Atria-Palm Desert. Here is a recent report!

Well, I believe “Ollie” and I have found our sweet spot visiting at 2:50 in time for HH social in the "bistro" aka lobby. There were 8 ladies with their wine playing Trivia games. Danny introduced us so we sat down and joined in, all the while answering questions about Ollie.

Next stop was Mary sitting outside who was getting her summer 10 minutes of getting outdoors, and she was delighted to chat with us, all the while playing with Ollie!

Residents came and went so we had a chance to greet them all. Priscilla looking cool in her pink, and I had a long chat at the front desk. Shared many laughs with Gay as we answered questions about our years with “Paws & Hearts.”

Aldea came back for her wine and had to cuddle Ollie, as did Ronald. We met them at bible study last week. After the game we had a chance to meet Gary who we promised we would visit next week at the same time! Two new residents were just enchanted with little Ollie!

After only a few visits Ollie is handling himself like a true professional Canine Ambassador, proud to show off his working bandanna!

Paws & Hearts

08/31/2026

08/24/2026

08/17/2026

08/10/2026

08/06/2026

08/03/2026

07/27/2026

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07/06/2026

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