Founder and President of Integrity Care Managing & Senior Living Solutions, Inc., Sherrill J. Steitz, has been volunteering and over-seeing pet therapy visits throughout the community for over 10 years. She has designed and developed a Volunteer Hospice Pet Therapy Program, where therapy dogs brought smiles and comfort to terminally ill patients. Ms. Steitz has innovatively launched this dynamic and rewarding branch of ICM & SLS to bless seniors in facilities. Beside her own volunteering, she currently has several volunteers and is always recruiting and looking for more people to join in the fun and rewards of volunteering in this unique capacity.
 Volunteers take their certified therapy dogs to senior facilities to brighten up the lives of seniors with wagging tails and smiling furry friendly faces. The benefits of animal assisted therapy has been thoroughly researched and scientifically proven to enhance the quality of life, especially those seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's.
We have visited Aegis of Ventura, Cypress Place, The Lexington, The Palms, Royal Gardens, and skilled nursing facilities: The Ventura Convalescent Hospital and Victoria Care Center.
Scheduling of visits is very flexible and we will gladly work with your schedule and availability. Most facilities are so happy to have us and request that we come as often as possible. Visits are approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours in length.
Come with us just ONE time and you will see why we do this...the proof is in the smiles, the laughter, the hugs...the joy that these Caring Canines bring!
Do you think you have a dog that would make a good therapy candidate? ICM & SLS’s President can assist you in the process of getting certified. She has trained her own dog, Chance, who is now a A.K.C. Canine Good Citizen, as well as, a certified therapy dog.
 Chance was named by the Second Chance Adoption League in Ventura, because he had been in and out of the adoption center numerous times. Sadly Chance had a long history of abuse and neglect which left him with many “issues”; they were not sure if he would be able to make a good pet. His fear caused him to jump through a glass window, run the jetty for hours, tearing all 4 of his paws open, and to cower in the presence of most men. Needing a temporary home for him, Ms. Steitz was asked to foster Chance, so took the scared little boy home. All he needed was another chance, and to be given lots of time and training, but most of all-what we all need: love and security. As fostering often ends…Ms. Steitz adopted Chance 6 months later and now he is not only a fabulous pet, but is a certified therapy dog giving love away! What an awesome dog! "Good boy, sit, stay, say cheez pleaz”
Sadly, this very special dog who touched so many lives, passed suddenly and is now in doggie heaven brightening lives up there in Rainbow Bridge land. He is gone from us, but his paw prints remain on our heart forever!
Ms. Steitz is so passionate about the benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy for seniors, that she is more than willing to help you join in on the fun and rewards.
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