Trending
It was a party at the Presbyterian Home at Williamsport. There were balloons and cake and ice cream as residents gathered to honor their Volunteer of the Year, an 11-year-old Great Pyrenees therapy dog, named Aspen.
Aspen, along with her owner/handler, Tammie Cristini, accepted the plaque from Gina Foresman, community life coordinator at the home, marking the occasion.
Foresman pointed out that the work that Aspen does, when she visits the home, supports the emotional and social well-being of the residents.
"Aspen and Tammy first began visiting Presbyterian Home in September of 2025, and quickly became beloved members of the community," Foresman said.
She noted that Aspen has a "calm and gentle personality that naturally draws people to her." "Although her large size can appear intimidating at first, residents soon discover her peaceful nature and affectionate spirit. Her presence has a remarkable ability to brighten the atmosphere, encouraging conversations, smiles, and meaningful interactions among residents and staff. The impact of Aspen's visits extends far beyond simple companionship," Foresman said.
Aspen began her journey with Cristini nine years ago, when she was adopted from the SPCA.
Cristini shared that when she first saw Aspen, she thought what a great therapy dog she would be.
"As soon as I saw her, I'm like, she has to be a trained therapy dog," she said.
Cristini had previously had Golden Retrievers which were Canine Good Citizens, which meant they were allowed to go to some facilities without the actual therapy dog training.
With Aspen, Cristini decided that she needed the protection of being under the umbrella of the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. So, she and Aspen went through the training program to be certified.
"We went through eight weeks of basic training, and then advanced training, and then we had to take the test online as a therapy dog. You don't necessarily have to do the training, but it's really beneficial if you do because they have wheelchairs pushing around you. They drop crutches around you. They have people running through the halls, saying emergency, emergency, emergency, and your dog's not supposed to react. They're trained to leave it if there's something on the floor, because it could be pills on the floor. So you say leave it...and she has to be comfortable being away from me for like two or three minutes. It's just a lot of different little skills that they have to have," Cristini explained.
The residents at the home may not realize all the time Aspen and her owner have spent preparing to allow them to visit, they just know that they like it when that big ball of white fur comes to see them.
"Many residents are eager to anticipate her arrival and gather to participate in programming when they know she will be there," Foresman said.
"Aspen often serves as a bridge to conversation, helping residents share stories about beloved pets, family memories, and important life experiences. These moments of reminiscence help strengthen personal connections and remind residents of the relationships and experiences that have shaped their lives. For individuals adjusting to life in the senior living community, Aspen provides a sense of comfort and familiarity," she explained.
"Some residents enjoy petting her and talking with her, while others simply appreciate sitting quietly nearby. Her calm demeanor helps reduce feelings of loneliness and anxiety, creating a reassuring presence that promotes emotional well-being. Through her visits, Aspen demonstrates the unique ability therapy animals have to support residents during times of transitions and changes," she added.
Cristini's role as Aspen's handler is equally important, Foresman said, as she facilitates Aspen's visits and interactions with the residents.
"Tammie carefully observes residents' needs, encourages interaction at a comfortable pace and ensures every visit is meaningful and enjoyable. She often enhances visits with photo albums showcasing Aspen's adventures, keepsakes, and special activities during the holiday season," Foresman said.
The benefits of those visits goes both ways as Cristini admitted she gets joy out of coming to the home, too.
"It just gives me so much joy to talk with the residents as they are petting Aspen," Cristini said.
"I do enjoy the older population, and I just love talking with them, and you know they deserve as much respect and kindness as anyone would," she added.
Aspen was joined in the celebration of her award by her canine friends, Poppy and Darby. All three enjoyed special cupcakes made especially for dogs by the cook at the home. The cupcakes were accompanied by frozen pupcups.
"This honor reflects the countless lives she has touched through the gentle companionship and dedication of her handler." Foresman said.
"Together, Aspen and Tammie exemplify the power of compassion, connection, and service. Their work reminds us that sometimes the greatest comfort comes in the form of a wagging tail, a gentle presence, and the simple gift of unconditional affection," she added.