Attendees of the Visiting Nurse Association of Florida’s Memory Café program, along with our residents, recently enjoyed a special Doggie Fashion Show presented by the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast (HSTC).

The adorable fashion show “models” were rescue dogs that are part of HSTC’s Pet Therapy program. Animal-assisted therapy, or pet therapy, focuses on the love and companionship that animals offer and how it can improve a patient’s physical and emotional well-being. Pet Therapy is a regularly scheduled activity for all residents at Grand Oaks of Jensen Beach. However, a Doggie Fashion Show was a fun surprise planned by Nancy Firpo Ginden, the Memory Café Facilitator.

Wearing specially made tuxedos and sparkling pink dresses, the furry fashion models stole the hearts of everyone in the room. “They were dressed to the nines!” said Memory Café attendee, Kathleen. “I enjoyed the show very much. Especially when the dogs came around to visit everyone. They were very loving.”

After the show, Memory Café attendees presented the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast with goodie bags full of toys and treats for their shelter dogs and cats. Grand Oaks of Jensen Beach residents and volunteers also presented HSTC with handmade beds for the dogs and crocheted blankets for the cats.

Special to the Memory Café program this month was Heather Parker, Program Service Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association of the Treasure Coast, and Bobbie Greenhut, an Alzheimer’s Association volunteer. “This was a great idea. It made everyone feel warm and fuzzy,” said Parker.

Once a month, the Visiting Nurse Association of Florida (VNA) holds its Memory Café program at Grand Oaks of Jensen Beach, an assisted living and memory care community owned and operated by the VNA. Memory Café is a free program that is open to the public. It’s designed for those experiencing early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, as well as their caregivers. The program, which meets the third Tuesday of every month, offers socialization in a judgment-free zone, caregiver support, brain-enhancing puzzles, a chef-prepared lunch, and so much more.

For more information, or to sign up for the VNA’s Memory Café, please contact Nancy Firpo Ginden at nancy.firpo@vnaflorida.org. For more information regarding HSTC’s Pet Therapy program, please contact Jessie Clifford at jclifford@hstc1.org.

For more information on Grand Oaks of Jensen Beach, call 772-209-3119.