Bingo! An adoption success story

“You have to come see Bingo work!” Leigh-Anne beamed.

Leigh-Anne Osbourne is the executive director at The Oaks of Lynchburg, an assisted living residence for older adults.

“OK” I laughed and grabbed my camera.

Just who is Bingo and what is his job? Bingo is a white, furry ball of energy wrapped in delight. His purpose is to bring joy to residents at the Oaks.

Bingo was adopted from the Lynchburg Humane Society a year ago in August. The Osbourne family had been searching diligently for months to find just the right dog. When Leigh-Anne saw the straggly, skinny, matted Shih tzu in the corner in the back of a run, it was love at first sight.

“From the day we brought him home, Bingo knew his place in the family. He knew the kind of love we all need, and he never ceases to amaze us. It has been almost a year since Bingo joined our family,” Leigh-Anne said.

“Bingo loves going to work with me everyday at The Oaks. When he walks in the door, the residents greet him with a smile. He is so gentle with those that are frail, loving to those who need a hug and entertaining to those who need a laugh. We are so thankful that we found him, and we are thankful for the LHS.

“I do not believe that we rescued Bingo; He rescued us.”

I had so much fun watching Bingo with the residents. He proceeded purposefully down the hall as he made his rounds. He seemed to intuit which lap to jump onto, which resident to entertain with quiet dignity, which hand to lick. I was told he has a special calming effect on those whose memory problems can be so frustrating.

No doubt that Bingo is the favorite activity at The Oaks. How did he get his name? The residents’ next to favorite activity, of course.

Another success story
Lynchburg Humane Society has started a fostering program for animals not yet ready for adoption. Darcie and Paul Goodjohn are presently sheltering a litter of adorable, fluffy, gray kittens.

Darcie Goodjohn reports, “I am very excited about the new Fostering Program. I enjoy providing a temporary household for the shelter kittens because everyone wins.

“Through the fostering program, the kittens win by being exposed to human affection, socialization with other animals or children and behavior training. I win by being fully engaged and involved in making a difference for the kittens and the shelter as a whole. The shelter wins because they have additional volunteers to give personal care to an animal(s) making them easier to place when they return to the shelter for adoption. Plus fostering provides relief from an overcrowded shelter during high breeding seasons. The adopters win when they take home a happy and healthy animal that will be a good match for their household.”

Hooray for the Goodjohns! If you are interested in fostering, come by the shelter and pick out furry friends who can use your help.