Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine Spring 2018 | Page 8

SUBARU 360°
A THERAPEUTIC
TOUCHPOINT
The St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program has come a long way in
its near 26 years of existence. The program traces its humble beginnings
back to June of 1992, when a pilot program with just one dog and her owner
launched in Peterborough, Ontario. Fast-forward to present day and the
program now has more than 3,300 teams across Canada.
The effort gained new traction earlier this past year as a group of
therapy dogs and handlers were invited to the Subaru Canada booths on
the Canadian auto show circuit. These special appearances began with the
Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto this February and the Calgary
International Auto and Truck Show in March; the Vancouver International
Auto Show and the Edmonton Motorshow were also on the schedule.
The program has enriched the lives of many people, from all walks of life.
The dogs and their handlers volunteer their time to visit members of their
community who are in need of a furry friend. These therapeutic visits can
bring joy and a sense of calm to residents of long-term care facilities, patients
in hospitals, students during exam time and children with special needs.
After becoming a Signature Sponsor to the St. John Ambulance Therapy
Dog Program in 2016, Subaru Canada continues to support this community
service. The goal of this partnership is to raise awareness of the program as
it expands to touch the lives of more people across the country. Thus far, the
partnership has been a great success—and a recent note from a program
participant confirms that this is an invaluable partnership.
“I write because I feel Subaru strives not to be just another faceless
corporation,” writes Joyce Polley in a letter dated February 27, 2018. “In spite
of all the new innovations in wireless technology changing communications,
innovations such as driverless cars and remote-controlled robots, I firmly
believe in the human need for physical touch and [the] unconditional
affection provided by our therapy dogs.”
Joyce is the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program unit facilitator
for Salmon Arm, BC, a small city in the southern interior of the province.
She also happens to be the proud owner of a 2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X
Touring—and relies on it heavily, even when the going is at its toughest.
“Believe it or not, in two-and-a-half years, [my remarkable canine partner
Moby] and I have never missed our Wednesday hospital visit, no matter
the weather or road conditions.” She notes that her driveway, situated on
an acreage outside of town, was covered in either sheer ice or deep powder
snow all winter long this past year: “My Subaru has met the challenge—and
then some.”
In addition to bringing Moby (codename: “Dr. Dog”) to visit with patients
and students, Joyce also interviews people interested in participating in the
program and then supervises new teams, helping them get up to speed
quickly. “I am definitely a satisfied customer,” she writes in the sign-off to
her letter, “but I also want to thank you for recognizing the value of the work
we do and helping to raise the awareness of the St. John Ambulance Therapy
Dog Program.”
6 six star magazine
PHOTOGRAPHY (TOP LEFT) DAINA DUROFIL; (LEFT) ALDAS MINKEVICIUS;
(TOP RIGHT) ALDAS MINKEVICIUS; (MIDDLE RIGHT) KEYSTONE STUDIOS;
(BOTTOM RIGHT) JOYCE POLLEY