Rosemary Blumberg, a certified therapeutic recreation specialist and registered horticulture therapist, joined the VITAS volunteer team in 2022.
As part of the VITAS Paw Pals Program, Rosemary visits patients in assisted living facilities with her therapy dog, Toby. Pet visits can help improve mood, reduce pain and anxiety, and serve as a comforting reminder of home. The benefits often extend to the caregiver as well.
“I’ve always been drawn to the geriatric community and thoroughly enjoy sharing Toby with the elderly,” she says. “It’s so rewarding to see their smiles as they remember the dogs they’ve loved in the past.”
