MARSHA LAWTON - DARAS

Dedicated team player with a compassion for senior citizens & their families looking for an engaging career as a strong member in the Activities Department where I can develop enriching activities & implement a Pet-Assisted Therapy Program.

• Single handedly established the first state certified Pet- Assisted Therapy Program in multiple work environments
• Planned daily activities that included physical & emotional components in regards to music and art
• Initiated winter holiday concerts with community elementary schools. Implemented a music program to entertain the residents & enhance the power of music during dinner & social hours
• Diligently maintained constant communication with the families
• Coordinated with Trader Joes to have weekly free flower deliveries used for floral activity classes
• Introduced new entertainment & exercise programs such as chair line dancing with Karen Lee PGM Productions, Irish Boys dancing poodles, & Robert Trembley vocal
• Arranged Coventry High School’s Colour guard presentation during military holidays
• Maintained accurate records on residents’ daily activities
• Co-designed the monthly activity calendar. Co-designed the Daily Tribune paper highlighting day's activities
• Maintained dietary restrictions in a dietary binder on all residents-updating weekly. Administered to the individual dietary needs of patients following medical staff protocol
• Supervised weekly outings with residents to various locations such as ferry ride to Newport, bus & picnic to Roger Williams Park
• Introduced a therapeutic poetry “workshop” inspired by poet Ms. Molly Meyers (Mind’s Eye Poetry) that uses special techniques Engaging & Stimulating those with Alzheimer’s & Dementia
• Lead daily activities for the residents such as bingo, word games, bowling, cooking, gardening, trivia, & individual arts & crafts
• Provided 1 on 1 pet therapy to bedridden residents
• Developed and taught an exercise class for approximately 20 – 30 residents
• Prepared paperwork to document and record all activities & events attended by each resident

• First Air & CPR
• Infectious Prevention & Control Standards
• Health Borne Illnesses
• Policies/Procedures in Rehabilitation Centers
• Dementia Education /Training
• Food Safety
• Fall precautions
• EMR Procedures
• Residents Rights
• Recording & Responding to Elder Abuse

• Elmhurst Extended Care, Volunteer & Community Service Advocate, Providence, RI: Provided companionship & Pet Therapy with dementia patients. Encouraged social interaction through recreation opportunities.
• Hospice Care, Providence, RI: Assisted terminally ill patients in finding peace & comfort through pet therapy & interactive tasks.
• Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI and West Greenwich High School: Provided pet therapy to students during mid-term exams & final exam week to assist them in reducing stress and anxiety.
• Presented at Barrington High School’s “Parenting Workshop” on the benefits of pet therapy and child development