A clown in a palliative care residence…what an unusual idea! But what a wonderful idea when this Clown is a magnificent second generation 3-and-a-half-year-old Labernese, a cross between the Labrador and a Bernese mountain dog, known as the St-Pierre. Yes, Clown is the very first service dog trained by the Mira Foundation to offer assistance in a palliative care residence.
Located in Drummondville, Maison René-Verrier, built and opened since 2015 thanks to the undying efforts of the Fondation René-Verrier, offers full palliative and end-of-life care, psychological and spiritual support to residents and families, home care and support to patients receiving treatments in a hospital setting in addition to bereavement and grief support. Another division of the Foundation known as Services René-Verrier also offers the same types of services directly to patients who live at home. Fondation, Maison et Services René-Verrier are regrouped under the banner Organismes René-Verrier (ORV). All services of ORV are offered free of charge.
Clown is an integral member of the exceptional team at Maison René-Verrier.
Clown is an integral member of the exceptional team at Maison René-Verrier.
Marie-Julie Tschiember, Organismes René-Verrier’s Executive Director, met Nicolas St-Pierre, Mira Foundation’s General Manager, accompanied by one of his dogs while the three of them are invited to take part on a panel to discuss philanthropy and governance of not-for-profit organisations. This accidental meeting confirms to Marie-Julie that her long time wish to have a Mira service dog at Maison René-Verrier where she is Director is an excellent one. The challenge, of course, is to find the right dog for the job.
The key for Nicolas St-Pierre is to find the ideal dog who has a reassuring temperament for this special type of assignment which requires a great deal of human sensitivity and a calm and sweet disposition. As for all Mira dogs, Clown, whose name was given to him by his foster family, successfully completed, as all Mira dogs are required to do, a one-year socialisation training program as well as a 6-month training program to become a rehabilitation service dog.
When Nicolas St-Pierre announced to Marie-Julie that he found the perfect dog for the task, he also thought it ironic that the dog’s name was Clown: "Even more, his name is Clown. We think it's somewhat amusing that a dog in a hospice is called « Clown ». It’s a little bit of irony in the context of death."
Marie-Julie, as Clown’s primary caregiver, required a mandatory 7-day intensive training period. A stay at Mira’s installations in Ste-Madeleine was key for Marie-Julie to enable her to learn how to maintain her relationship with Clown and assure ongoing training of the dog, to get used to him, to understand and know him on a one-to-one basis and vice versa for Clown. Following this 7-day stay at Mira, Clown has been a member of Marie-Julie’s family who has accepted to be his full-time keeper wholeheartedly. Clown has also been integrated in Josée Laliberté’s family who will be back up for Marie-Julie when needed. Josée is the Head Nurse at Maison René-Verrier.
Mira, known to all of us, offers several guide dog programs such as dog guides for the blind and visually impaired, service dogs for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and service dog programs for people with reduced mobility. Added to these services, a new special project allowing the acquisition of a service dog has been created. Geared to a special needs clientele of all ages whose needs are specific, this innovative program, still at an embryonic stage of development, requires thorough planning on the part of Mira’s team and realistic expectations from organizations who request such a service.
Mira summarizes as follows and I paraphrase with a liberal translation the special partnership with Mira Foundation:
“It is important to note that the rehabilitation dog has completed rigorous training given by the Mira Foundation in order to be certified as a service dog. This special project is part of a special partnership geared to public and/or not-for-profit organisations and not for individual purposes. The Mira Foundation offers three service programs: Guide and service dogs for visually impaired individuals, service dogs for children diagnosed with autistic syndrome and for individuals with reduced mobility.”
Different than other Mira dogs, this magnificent Labernese who can be touched, petted and cajoled by residents and staff, makes everyone smile.
"The mere fact that he lies next to me, comforts me…you’re a good dog…you give us unconditional love,” says Mister F, while gently petting Clown.
Everyone has accepted Clown’s presence at Maison René-Verrier regardless of some initial hesitation related to physically having a dog on the premises. Now that Clown has been working for 2 years and bringing joy to the residents of Maison René-Verrier, everyone is convinced that the benefits greatly outweigh the possible inconvenience of having Clown present every day.
As a member of the multidisciplinary team, Clown has been helpful in healing and consoling at the end of life. He allows people to silently share their deepest secrets.
What a privilege for these individuals who are living with an end-of-life prognostic but also what a privilege for the members of this team who have adopted Clown as one of their own.
"When I leave a patient’s room after a very emotional visit, where emotions were intense, I like to sit down with Clown. It grounds me and I thank him for having been there with me and having shared this visit with me. He brings me back to reality," confides a member of the team.
Following my conversation with Marie-Julie, I am in awe and fascinated by Clown who I meet briefly as he retires to his bed in Marie-Julie’s office for a well-deserved rest. While talking with Charlotte Moses Bélanger, assigned to the program of service dogs for children with ASD and coordinator of special projects for rehabilitation dogs, I realize how Mira’s work is unequalled and unique.
What wonderful idea, a Clown in a palliative care residence!
Bravo Mira and Maison René-Verrier but most of all Bravo Clown!
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