Mary Martin and her dog, Maggie, are part of the ThedaCare at Home pet therapy program for hospice patients.
Martin was born in Hartland in Waukesha County. She graduated from Catholic Memorial High School and became a registered nurse, getting her degree from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. She worked in Milwaukee for five years before moving to Shawano County, where she worked at Maple Lane for 17 years and the Brown County Community Treatment Center for 17 years.
Martin retired five years ago. She was married to Fred, who farmed and did concrete work, for 43 years. He died five years ago. They have six children and six grandchildren.
Martin lives in the town of Bartelme, where she also has a St. Bernard dog. She has a garden and does canning and freezing. She takes care of two of her grandchildren who live nearby a couple of times a week and is re-learning how to knit.
Martin also is a volunteer driver for medical appointments in the volunteer transport program through the Shawano County Office on Aging.
Q How did you get started in the pet therapy program?
A “I started to volunteer for hospice around four years ago. I asked about pet therapy, but at that time there wasn’t one. Two and a half years ago they started a program for hospice volunteers who might be interested in having their dogs in pet therapy. An instructor came from the Fox Valley for three days over a weekend. It’s all through hospice. I’ve provided pet therapy for six people.”
Q Where else do you take Maggie?
A “I take her to nursing homes and assisted living places. Maggie does good with older people. I walk around with Maggie in the hallways and people will pet her. She likes people who will pay attention to her.”
Q How do people respond?
A “A lot of them like to see a dog. It’s easy to talk to them. They talk about their pets. It opens the conversation.”
Q How often do you take her to visit?
A “It depends on the person. Sometimes I call and ask if they would like me to come. I usually go once a week.”
Q Why do you volunteer?
A “I retired five years ago. My husband had died and I had the time. I worked my whole adult life. Now I had time on my hands. I wanted to do something meaningful. I am comfortable with hospice patients.”
For information on the pet therapy program, contact Molly Johnson at mjohnson@caninecomfort.us.
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