Life Care Centers of America’s Eastern Division bestowed two volunteer awards on those serving residents at Life Care Center of East Ridge.
Sixteen-year-old Josh Sosebee won the Youth Volunteer of the Year honor, and What a Puppy won Group Volunteer of the Year. These two were selected from among volunteers at the division’s 41 skilled nursing and rehab facilities in Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
Mr. Sosebee has been a volunteer at the center for more than four years and serves wherever needed – whether it be leading out in an activity or taking the residents their mail. Over the years, he has taken the initiative to suggest new programs and to keep communications open between the facility and his fellow volunteers.
“I’m so honored by this award, but I don’t do it for the recognition,” said Mr. Sosebee. “I do it because I love the residents and staff at Life Care Center of East Ridge.”
The What a Puppy pet therapy group brings certified therapy dogs and their handlers to Life Care Center of East Ridge on Thursday nights and to special events.
The group has been providing animal visits at the facility for three years and has been a partner in the facility’s annual Puppy Day dog adoption event. What a Puppy also trains therapy dogs at the facility.
“It is wonderful to see how much the patients enjoy visiting with the dogs,” said group member Rhonda Lastine. “You can see their eyes light up when we walk in.”
Jonathan Amos, trainer and leader of What a Puppy, shared, “I train therapy dogs because I love being part of making someone smile and knowing that they found a relief that nothing else could give them. I’m excited to receive this award because it proves that with a little hard work anything is possible.”
Life Care Center of East Ridge, located at 1500 Fincher Ave., is one of 25 skilled nursing facilities in Tennessee operated or managed by Life Care Centers of America.
Founded in 1976, Life Care is a nationwide health care company. With headquarters in Cleveland, Tenn., Life Care operates or manages more than 220 nursing, post-acute and Alzheimer’s centers in 28 states. For more information about Life Care, visit
lcca.com.