Dogs needed to cheer up Care Center residents

CHENEY – Cheney Care Center recreation director Kris Bahr wanted to do something to cheer up the residents who have been prevented from going outside the care facility since early March due to coronavirus restrictions.

She eventually hit upon an idea she thinks will do the trick and put a smile on everyone’s face — puppies.

Bahr is staging a “Cheney Care Center Puppy Parade” on June 10, beginning at 2 p.m. She is asking anyone in the community with a well-behaved dog, puppy or older, to come by the Care Center and parade around the facility while residents inside will get to watch the procession from their windows.

Care Center residents have been in lockdown since March 13, unable to go outside and in some cases unable to leave their rooms except under specific conditions.

Residents at both the Care Center and Cheney Assisted Living next door are regularly monitored, while staff is also tested coming on and off shift, checking temperatures and asking disease-related health questions.

Bahr said it’s contributed to some down spirits, and she thinks a show of dogs might help. The idea is to assemble at the front of the facility along North 6th Street and then parade around both care facilities and Sessions Village behind, all the while practicing proper social distancing techniques and wearing mask.

“We can get folks in the community to be a part of it to make our residents happy and bring a smile to their face,” Bahr said.

People participating must also keep all dogs on a leash at all times and have proper bags to clean up any accidents.

No female dogs in any stage of heat cycle will be allowed, and if a dog is appearing in costume, it should be safe and comfortable for the weather.

Pre-registration is required by June 5, and can be done by contacting Bahr at the Care Center to get a registration form. Even if registered, check-in between 1 – 1:45 p.m. is required.

Bahr said staff are coming up with ideas for games residents can take part in during the parade, such as “Puppy Bingo” where bingo cards with pictures of the dogs taking part are arranged in a bingo square.

“When residents see one of the dogs on their card, they mark the square,” Bahr said.

Bahr said the Puppy Parade has received the blessings of Care Center management and Cheney law enforcement. She can be contacted at 509-235-6196, extension 103 or at Kris.bahr.cheneycare.com.

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].