As an Animal-Assisted Therapy Specialist and Consultant for the People-Animal Connection program at UCLA Medical Center, I worked in Neuro-Psychiatrics with my Golden Retriever and canine partner, Holly go Lightly, a registered therapy dog, helping thousands of patients over an eight year period of commitment.
My credentials include master’s degrees in Counseling and Education, licenses in Educational Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, and School Psychology.
In 2003, I gave Holly my final gift of love by allowing her golden spirit to leave her beautiful body and continue her journey of healing for which she was sent to us. I am writing a non-fiction narrative, Take One Dog and Call Me in the Morning/Amazing Therapy Dogs; Prescription for Healing, dedicated to her and to the amazing therapy dogs and their human partners in the PAC program of UCLA’s Medical Center. The dedication on the plaque presented by NPI reads:
In Memory of Holly go Lightly,
Whose purpose in life was to bring joy, courage and healing
To all those whose lives she touched with her golden spirit
UCLA NPI PAC 1993- 2002
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As Marian’s book doctor, I can vouch for the importance of her material. A good read, entertaing, and inspirational, Marian, you will have many interested in your work.
Thanks Lisa. I could not have done it without your help, guidance and loving support.
What wonderful, touching stories. Will look forward to reading more.
You and Holly had a special mission by touching the lives of people
that were in need. What a blessing you both have been.
Who could not feel a sense of wonder, hope and well-being after reading these words? Though she has left the planet, Holly-go-lightly still provides therapy for the heart through Marian Silverman’s memories of this amazing dog. It gives succor to the soul. Let there be more.
Jim: You are correct. I am memorializing Holly through the writing about her adventures as a therapy dog. There is much more to say.
Hi, Marian — How exciting to click on your blog! The stories about Holly are wonderful and really grabbed me. In the one about “Keppel” I have a hunch that what the family members were murmuring was “zeis hindt,” meaning “sweet dog,” not “zeis kindt,” or “sweet child.” Gosh, I knew Holly was a talented dog but I never knew she was multilingual! Just goes to show ya . . .
Sandra: yes you are correct. She is a “zeis hindt” not “zeis kindt.” I made the edited changes in the “Keppel: piece. Yes, Holly was bilingual.
Marian,
As we said many times before, working with you and Holly back in 2000 when I became a volunteer with the UCLA People-Animal Connection was really amazing. Up to that time I really did not have much experience in AAA /AAT so watching you and Holly work as a “team” taught me so much.
I mentioned that day to you that I hoped to become a strong team with my dog “Joey” and follow in your footsteps. Thank you for all your teachings. I will always hold a special place in my heart for Holly- who is looking down now from Heaven seeing both of my dogs working @ UCLA (Joey and Sam) and saying that we’re doing a good job too!. We all miss Holly so much. I am blessed to have met you both.
Jack
Jack Barron Jr.
Director, UCLA People-Animal Connection
Jack:
You and Joey and Sam have already done a good job. I know that Sam is with Holly now in “doggie heaven” and perhaps she is mentoring him, and praising him for his loving spirit and dedication.
I loved reading this, although it made me cry. Marian writes so beautifully. I knew Holly, and she was a healing presence. Cats have helped to heal my soul, although this is still a work in progress. Why they would do this…I don’t know.
After 1 1/2 years of intense grieving for my dead best friend Yogi, I contacted Marian. She made me think of him again, and even harder, made me write about how important he had been in my life. I fought this with all of my being. And yet, now I feel less guilty and not quite so sad. Marian truly understands the components of bereavement and does not trivialize any of this. I still miss Yogi, but now I understand that this is good. Marian says that it demonstrates that I am a compassionate human who loved a cat so much. She says that this is a good thing.
Laura Jacobs, PhD., RVT
Laura: Yes, it is a good thing to honor your grief. You loved Yogi so much and in your bereavement process, you memorialize him forever. You deepen your ability to show compassion to others in their losses. This is what life’s journey is all about. This is what humanity is about.