Entrepreneur Mark Ross and internist Dr. Nicole Ross worked in their respective careers until their hearts for the elderly led them to open a Right at Home senior services franchise. As their company grew to over 100 employees, they added one exceptional member to their team. For the past decade, 12-year-old therapy dog Myla has brightened thousands of lives as only a furry friend can.
When Mark and Dr. Nicole Ross pull up to area senior care communities, they often find people waiting for them at the door. Though the Rosses bring their own warmth and hospitality to these encounters, the seniors are not lined up to see them. They want Myla.
The Ross family drove from Atlanta to Fairhope, Alabama, to adopt Myla when she was just 6 weeks old because her breed was hard to find in Georgia. She is a Portuguese Water Dog, a friendly, medium-large working breed originally bred to retrieve nets cast from fishing boats. The Rosses desired this breed because of its fluffy but hypoallergenic fur, which often causes it to be mistaken for a Labradoodle. They also knew that a therapy dog must have a relaxed personality and interact well with strangers.
“In general, this breed is known for being kind,” Mark said. “We wanted one that was calm and pretty chill. When we first went to Alabama to visit the litter, the breeder was holding Myla and dropped a metal trash can lid on the floor. Myla didn’t miss a beat.”
Seeing how the loud noise left the puppy completely unfazed confirmed that she had the calm disposition necessary to fulfill her mission. After bringing her home, the Rosses allowed her to grow through the puppy stage before training and registering her as a therapy dog. She began visiting senior citizens after her second birthday and is always freshly groomed for her visits, even donning the cute hair bows her senior friends call earrings.
Mark Ross
“When I take Myla out to the communities, some of the residents might be asleep or not as aware as usual, but when the word spreads that a dog is in the building, they perk up.”
“When I take Myla out to the communities, some of the residents might be asleep or not as aware as usual,” Mark said, “but when the word spreads that a dog is in the building, they perk up.”
Residents gather in the dayroom to watch Myla perform tricks such as rolling over, giving high fives and speaking on command. She then makes her way around the room, pausing beside each resident and nudging their hand to encourage petting and one-on-one interaction. The Rosses also take her on rounds to visit those who are bedridden, and Myla puts her paws up on the bed to say hello. Of course, there are always a few residents who are not fond of animals, and the Rosses are sensitive to those who prefer to be left alone. Overall, the friendly, fluffy beauty is well-received. According to Mark, “She’s even converted a lot of people who didn’t originally love dogs.” For others, she provides a connection point to years gone by. “Many seniors were pet owners in the past, and they tear up while petting Myla,” Nicole said. “You can tell they are reminiscing about when they were at home with their own animals.” Myla often opens up lines of communication. “We get to hear the stories of their pets and how much they meant to them,” Mark said. “They always say how thankful they are that we stopped by and want to know when we’re coming back.”
The Rosses attribute their love for the elderly to their close relationships with their grandparents. “We both had very influential grandparents,” Nicole said. “One of Mark’s lived to 88, and my grandparents helped raise me. The love of a grandparent is special.” The Rosses and Right at Home have partnered with students from Newton College and Career Academy to meet the needs of local senior citizens. Students on a medical careers track have volunteered as summer interns, while others volunteered for the “Alive Inside” program. These students surveyed seniors’ family members to learn their favorite songs, then uploaded them to iPods as a form of music therapy. Nicole is a firm believer in the healing power of the simple things in life.
“Music, animals and little kids really help seniors smile and feel young again,” she said. Nicole admits that Myla has also been a lifesaver on a personal level, as she and Mark have entered the empty-nest stage of life. Their three children, Mikayla, Mark Jr. and Marlie, have all moved on to college. Their departure left Myla as their only “child” at home. It has been said that the biggest problem with dogs is letting them go, that no beloved pet ever lives long enough. While Myla has definitely entered her own senior phase, the Rosses cannot imagine life without her. “Mark is definitely going to need therapy,” Nicole said. Mark shuddered at the thought. “She’s not going anywhere soon,” he said, as he looked at Myla and smiled. “She’s healthy, she has a great diet and she gets better healthcare than I do. She’s going to be here a good long while.”
Click here to read more stories by Kari Apted.
Related Stories
Dog Daze
In a Class by Herself
