Mia and owner Moira Nilsson at the Hopewell Train Station Jan. 13, 2014.
Clockwise starting from far left are Bonita Grant, Harvey Lester, Abigail Waugh, Janet Wycoff, reporter Lisa Zola-DeLibero, Jon Cohen, Mia the Therapy Dog and her handler, Moira Nilsson, sitting and sharing stories during Mondays With Mia, Jan. 13, 2014 in the Hopewell Train Station.
Mia the therapy dog brings eclectic group of dog lovers together in Hopewell
By Lisa Zola-DeLibero
Some dogs have a way of bringing out the best in the human spirit, and once a month, a 7-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever named Mia bestows her gift on a grateful group of seniors in Hopewell.
Mia has been trained by Bright and Beautiful Dogs, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Morris Plains, to become a therapy dog. Therapy dogs are obedient and generally docile pets who are gifted at providing comfort and affection to people in need. They often make visits to nursing homes, schools and hospitals.
After Mia was certified, her owner, Pennington resident Moira Nilsson, wanted to put her to work. She walked over to the senior center on Reading Street in Pennington one day last year and told Abigail Waugh she would like to do something with Mia and older adults. So Waugh, coordinator for Hopewell Valley Senior Services, started a program called Mondays With Mia. The first session was held in September 2013.
“When Moira approached me with idea, I thought it would be a great addition to the many programs that are already in place for our seniors,” said Waugh, who is a licensed social worker. “(But) the group has taken a life of its own. People are connecting with one another, and are becoming friends.”
Nilsson says Mia’s energy and gentle temperament are what make her special.
“She is also incredibly smart. She passed the Therapy Dog test the first time she took it, and I knew she would be wonderful with helping people of all ages,” Nilsson said.
Prior to the advent of Mondays With Mia, the pooch and her handler had been working with elementary school students who have anxiety about reading books.
“Mia has a way of making the kids feel less anxious, and they do much better with their reading, especially when they are reading out loud to Mia,” Nilsson said. It turns out that it helps some kids to read to someone who isn’t judging how they’re doing with every word.
After seeing the success that Mia has had working with young students, Nilsson knew that Mia would be able to benefit even more people. Her hunch was a good one, because the senior group that meets once a month at the refurbished historic train station in Hopewell Borough has not missed a Monday, even on the coldest days of winter. Mondays with Mia usually take place the third Monday of the month, but because of the observance of Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, it was held on the second Monday in January.
The group consists of about five or six regulars, and there is still room for a few more members. Janet Wycoff, a retired clinical psychologist, who is 70 years of age, and her husband, Jon Cohen, a 73-year-old social worker, also retired, are two members of the group who look forward to spending time with this special dog.
“We’re a group of people who are becoming friends because of Mia,” Wycoff said. “Mia is the star of the group. She is like sunshine.”
While Mia is more than happy to show off her range of tricks and talents, she is not above calmly relaxing on the floor. She seems to have a way of fostering conversation among the group.
“Mia is so easy to communicate with,” Nilsson said. “When the group starts out, everyone is talking about Mia. But then as the time goes on, people start talking about vacations, or their family, or anything that they want to share with the group. They all feel safe, and Mia makes them feel this way.”
Harvey Lester, 62, is a liaison to the Hopewell Valley Senior Services advisory board, and a member of the Hopewell Township Committee. He feels that Mia brings the group together in ways that only a dog can.
“We all watch Mia do her tricks, like hide-and-seek, and all of the other things she can do, “ said Lester, a retired career prosecutor. “She is the reason why we come here once a month. We enjoy talking about dogs, and other things too. She makes us feel comfortable.”
Another member of the group, Bonita Grant, is a 68-year-old bibliographer recently retired from Rutgers University. Grant, a passionate advocate for pet rescue, believes that animals are a quality of life issue.
“Animals make life better,” said Grant. “They give you unconditional love, something that we all need.”
At one point during the January session, discussion turned to whether Mia might some day make an appearance at the Senior Center. Waugh, who was present, said she wasn’t sure that everyone at the center would react well to a dog being in the facility.
“I’d be more concerned about how the dog would react than how the people would feel!” Grant said.
Mia answers commands given in English, but can also understand German and sign language. Nilsson, who graduated with a master’s degree in Spanish literature and linguistics, feels that her past job as an assistant magazine editor can’t compare to what she is doing now.
“There is no better way to communicate with people then with a dog,” she said. “Dogs have a way of making people feel good about themselves. They build confidence, and they teach people how to express their feelings by showing love.”
While Mia lies down in the middle of the circle on her comfy doggie bed, the group around her smiles and laughs as they share their four-legged stories, and anything else they feel like talking about. For the regular attendees, Mia adds new meaning to Mondays.
“The best thing in life is waking up in the morning to share the joy and love of a dog,” said group member Wycoff. “The second best thing is sharing this joy in a group like this.”
The Hopewell Train Station is at 2 Railroad Place in Hopewell Borough. For more information about Mondays With Mia or to confirm future event dates, call (609) 737-0605, Ext. 692.
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