Sandy Dimke : Focus on Therapy Dog International

Dixie Dimke has over 225 visits under her collar. That’s over 225 times she has brought her own brand of love and comfort to those who need it the most, primarily the elderly at local assisted living residences. A past recipient of the Therapy Dogs International “Active Outstanding Volunteer” award, she is slated to receive her next award by the end of this year, after completing 250 visits. Of course Dixie doesn’t operate alone; her people Sandy and Russ Dimke accompany her on every visit.

What makes Dixie so good at what she does? Just ask Sandy. Sandy, “She’s so calm and she loves attention. Nothing bothers
her, especially with children.” Seven years ago Sandy and Russ Dimke were looking to add an Irish Setter to their family when Sandy came across an ad for English Setter puppies only a few miles from their Bull Point Plantation home. After visiting the puppies and their mom Scout, Sandy says, “It was love at first sight”.

When puppy Dixie was old enough the Dimke’s enrolled her in AKC Obedience classes, where she not only passed, she received her Canine Good Citizen certificate. Sandy‘s first experience with therapy dogs actually came about through her photography art work. She says, “In 2010, I was at
the Alzheimer Day Care photographing for my Hands Across Beaufort exhibit and witnessed how a dog could change a person’s emotions. A woman sat motionless, oblivious to her surroundings. The therapy dog was brought over to her and she was encouraged to pet her. After only a minute or two her body relaxed and a grin appeared on her face. She never spoke a word but it was obvious that for those brief moments, she reconnected with the world. I was hooked. I knew that it was something I needed Dixie, Russ and me to become involved with.”
Therapy Dog International.

When a local chapter of Therapy Dog International was formed in Beaufort, Dixie, Sandy and Russ joined up. Dogs must meet eligibility requirements, such as age (they must be at least a year old), have a good temperament, be friendly and show no aggression or shyness. Owners and dogs both are required to pass a rigorous test before they can be certified. The test includes the basic commands (sit, stay etc) as well as tasks specific to the dog’s therapy role, such as how the dog reacts to wheelchairs and walkers. The owner also, must be comfortable in their role and
most crucially, be able to control their dog at all times.

Sandy says, “Dixie was a natural, she passed the test with flying colors. She is a good height for people in a wheelchair to pet and a good size for children to interact with during our reading sessions. I also think it is good way for Dixie to make her own contribution.” Therapy dogs come in all shapes and sizes, from little lap dogs to larger Dobermans and Bernese Mountain Dogs. Tail Waggin’ Tutor

During the school year, Dixie is also active in Therapy Dog International’s Tail Waggin’ Tutor program at the YMCA and, in the summer, with students at Thumbs Up, the after school homework program. The very popular Tail Waggin’ Tutors program brings the dogs into the children’s environment in order to improve their reading skills. As Sandy says, “The children are more comfortable reading out loud to the dogs and we’re there to listen and help them improve.” Different members of the chapter participate in the Tail Waggin’ Tutors programs each week at Beaufort, Coosaw, Riverview Charter and other local elementary schools, as well as the Beaufort County Disability Center.

Art In Focus
A professional architectural photographer for over twenty years, Sandy became very active in the photography arts world in Beaufort after moving here in 2001. Ten years ago she and four other local photographers founded the Photography Club of Beaufort and she served as the club’s President for the first three years. She says, “We currently have almost one hundred members in the club so the whole effort was well worth it.” Sandy says, “One of my goals was to promote photography as an art so I became involved with Beaufort Art Association and have sat on their Board in various positions for the past six years.”

She is currently a Director in the organization. In addition Sandy serves as the chairperson of the Bull Point Plantation Architectural Review Board. She still does some architectural photography for clients and has taught local classes on photography and Photoshop. As an accredited photography judge, she has judged numerous photo competitions throughout New England and North and South Carolina.

Sandy’s book, Hands at work and play in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, grew out of her Hands Across Beaufort photography exhibit for the Beaufort Three Century Project. The book presents over 100 of Sandy’s black and white photographs of hands, hands working and living in the lowcountry, as well as prose and poems she authored.  Now through December Sandy has a photography exhibit, Cuban Retrospective, at USCB (Osher Lifelong Living Institute, Beaufort Campus, Sandstone Bldg #124).

The exhibit grew out of her trip to Cuba with the People to People program. She says, “I went to Cuba eighteen months ago and it was just a
wonderful experience. We worked with Cuban photographers, and photographed everything from boxing rings to ballet. Our Cuban hosts showed us all their favorite photo spots. The people were warm, happy and welcoming. It is a beautiful country and I would go back in a heartbeat.” Sandy also has an on-going exhibit at Great Gardens Café on Trask Parkway called “Wise in Silence.”

Volunteer Photography
Sandy volunteers her time and skills to the Beaufort County Animal Shelter’s cat adoption center, Tabby House, located at Beaufort Town Center, where she photographs their adoptable cats every month. The photos are used in newspapers and on social media to help the cats find “forever homes.” She says, “I take pictures of the cats that have been there for a while, the ones that really need adoption.” When asked if photographing cats was difficult she laughs and says “Of course… but the people at Tabby House are very helpful! Together we manage to get it done, and I enjoy doing it.”  She also contributes the photography for St. Peter’s Catholic Church “Homes for the Holiday” fund raising tour.

Happy Dog Sandy says, “Each week when Dixie puts on her red ‘Therapy Dog International’ bandanna, she gets very excited. She knows she is ‘going to work.’ It is enjoyable for her and for Russ and me too.” She continues, “It’s rewarding to understand that dogs don’t see differences in humans. They are not prejudiced by race, religion, social status, financial security or mental or physical disabilities. Everyone is approached equally without preconceived prejudices.”

Story by CINDY REID | Photos by PAUL NURNBERG