Cindy and Tori make a positive difference for patients and stakeholders every day. Two recent situations in particular really moved me. A patient saw Cindy and Tori in the hallway and called out, "Tori!" As Tori greeted her, the patient said, "Tori, I'm alive because of you! You prayed for me when I was here 4 years ago and you saved my life!" (Cindy has taught Tori to "say her prayers" on request by kneeling and putting her front paws together in a chair.) The patient is doing well now, and together they reveled in her success and in their relationship.
Several years ago, Cindy and Tori met LS and her son J. Her son has autism and high anxiety, and mom asked Cindy to work with him while she was receiving her chemo infusion. Cindy and Tori hung out with J, and Cindy taught him HeartMath breathing and gave him a HeartMath bookmark and some pictures of Tori. The breathing helped J, and he fell in love with Tori. Each time LS came back for treatment she'd look up Cindy and Tori and talk about her son and her treatment. Last week LS brought J with her for her return appointment and it happened to be the day of Tori's birthday party. LS and son J went shopping for the perfect gift for Tori, wrapped it, and included a beautiful card. J signed it "from your friend" and drew a big puppy paw print on it. They requested a private session with Cindy and Tori before the party, during which J thanked Cindy for helping him with his breathing. He gave Tori her present and let her open it, and he was delighted watching Tori and playing with her. Even though it is very hard for J to be around people due to his autism, he came to Tori's party while his mom had her appointments. He interacted with Tori and tolerated the crowd well. (I witnessed him at the party playing with Tori, he looked very happy!) When mom joined them at the party and saw how relaxed and happy her son was, she expressed her gratitude to Cindy. J even hugged Cindy twice as he thanked her, which was quite remarkable given that he doesn't hug people.