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One of our favorite times of year is when we get to award our Alert1 Student for Seniors scholarship. Each year we ask our high school and college applicants to reflect on their experiences with the older adults in their lives. This year we asked:
- What is your experience with seniors?
- What is the most important lesson you've learned from seniors?
- How will you help seniors in your chosen career?
We loved hearing all of the stories that everyone sent in. We were excited to see so many entries demonstrating how many of today’s youth are dedicated to working with older adults.
This year, we received nearly 800 submissions! And out of all of those entries, we are excited to announce our winner of the Alert1’s 2018 Student for Seniors Scholarship: Hannah McGee!
Meet Hannah
Hannah McGee is our 2018 scholarship winner! She is attending the Bergin University of Canine Studies in Penngrove, CA. Originally from Texas, she is working on her AS in Business and Companion Dog Studies and BS in Canine Studies. We asked Hannah to tell us all a little about herself:
“I have aspired to be a dog trainer for as long as I can remember. In pursuit of my professional goals, this past year I earned my AS in Assistance Dog Education from Bergin College of Canine Studies. I will be starting the bachelor’s program at Bergin College to earn a BS in Cynology (Canine Sciences) and am in the process of earning my Dog Training and Behaviorist certifications from the Certified Council for Professional Dog Trainers. My work with dogs has extended outside the training room to helping train dogs for people with disabilities and veterans with PTSD. I have also assisted in training classes at a local detention center where we teach inmates how to train puppies through patience and compassion. It is my goal to continue to build bonds between people and dogs, throughout my career, and to find new and innovative ways that dogs can help the people who need them.”
We love that Hannah is working with service dogs. We all love our canine friends, and they can provide an incredible amount of assistance to seniors and anyone who needs special help, regardless of their age.
We appreciate that Hannah took the time to tell us her story. We especially love that in her story she shares how she grew to appreciate the seniors in her life. We are proud to support Hannah in her journey of bringing knowledge, joy, and canine companionship to seniors. Hannah, we look forward to seeing where your journey takes you!
Below is Hannah’s story and her winning answers. We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we did!
What is your experience with seniors?
What's the most important lesson you’ve learned from seniors?
“Before I began volunteering at nursing homes with my dogs, I never really thought about senior citizens, other than my grandparents. Hearing the stories from the many seniors that I have met has given me a new outlook on the lives of the elderly and they have inspired me to continue my volunteer work with that demographic. I now see that older adults have had long, interesting lives and have a lot of knowledge and experience to share. They should be taken care of and not forgotten, as they age. Volunteering with the population has also increased my knowledge about how both therapy dogs and service dogs can be of benefit to older adults. Therapy dogs can help older adults connect with memories, emotions, and in social environments. A nursing home resident who does not like to socialize with other people living in the facility may perk up and hold whole conversations with therapy dogs or with others, with a therapy dog present. Some people who live in nursing homes had to leave their pets behind or rehome them. Therapy dogs, in this setting, help the seniors recollect memories and remind them of the bonds they had with their pets, throughout their lives. Likewise, service dogs may fill an emotional or physical need for some seniors, in areas like depression, PTSD, stroke recovery and diabetes alert. Finally, I have learned patience. My school days and work life can be fast-paced and hurried. When I am volunteering with older adults, I am reminded that I can slow down and appreciate small things that happen in my day, like the smile on a senior’s face when they pet my dog or the gratitude a resident expresses when I take the time to sit and simply listen to them tell me a story.”
How will you help seniors in your chosen career?
You can enter the 2019 Students for Seniors Scholarship!