Evi Smith
6th Grade
Many studies have shown that animals can help improve the physical and mental health of patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. The Delta Society is a national non-profit organization that is dedicated to matching people with therapy, service and companion animals. Its Pet Partners program “trains and screens volunteers and their pets for visiting animal programs in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, schools and other facilities.” There are more than ten thousand “specially trained and dedicated volunteers who lovingly share the healing power of their pets with others in need.”
Evi Smith, a 6th grade Laurel Springs student, is the youngest member of her local Delta Society chapter (in Albany, GA). She completed an eight-hour training course, passed a test, and also worked with her dog, Jamie, to pass an exam that certifed them as a Pet Partners Team. Evi and Jamie are registered as a team with the Delta Society, and they visit nursing homes and Alzheimer care centers. Evi talks with the patients and lets them pet Jamie. She says that she enjoys making the patients smile and being around the Delta Society dogs.
We are proud of our students’ motivation to volunteer in their local communities, and celebrate Evi’s work with the Delta Society.
