[MV] Jeep Therapy

Dean L. Kellogg, Jr (kelloggd@uthscsa.edu)
Thu, 06 May 1999 14:46:58 +0100

Hi Listees,

Here is a story of an MV coming to the rescue of some veterans. The
following is taken from my VA's newsletter. I was about to throw it away
when I noted 2 photos of some World War 2 veterans and an M151A1 on the
cover. I then read the following under a headline proclaiming....JEEP
THERAPY IMPROVES DEMENTIA PATIENT'S ACTIVITIES!

In the corner of the Kerrville VA's activities room is a jeep
donated by the 850th Supply and Service Company, an Army Reserve Unit
based in Laredo, Texas. Dementia patients rise from their nighttime
slumber and move toward the stationary jeep every morning to conduct their
morning inspection. They wash it with pride. They touch it gently. They
speak of memories long past.
The morning ritual contributes to a positive improvement of the
patients' daily routines and activities. If the patients have visitors,
such as spouses, they include them in the morning event. They climb in and
out of the jeep-they even give rides to employees and visitors take rides.
"The jeep is a long-time friend and it helps the patients recall a
time in their lives that had been long forgotten" says Mary T. Garza,
nursing assistant. "I see the pride and I hear the laughter that the jeep
has given these patients."

Well, that is Jeep Therapy is South Texas...and it works too! Some
patients have even become stronger and more mobile because of the exercise
of climbing in and out of the jeep....As I watch the World War 2 generation
fade away, both in body and mind, it is nice to find they can still be
helped by their old friend....the military jeep.

****************************************************************
* Dean L. Kellogg, Jr., MD, PhD *
* Department of Medicine *
* The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio *
* 7703 Floyd Curl Drive *
* San Antonio, Texas 78284-7875 *
* (210) 617-5311 FAX (210) 617-5312 e-mail:kelloggd@uthscsa.edu *
****************************************************************

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