Marie Waterman (right) brings George, her 15 lb. terrier mix, to visit Eartha Newsong at Orinda Senior Living, as part of the Hospice of the East Bay pet program. George, who Waterman adopted from the Martinez Animal Shelter 15 years ago, has provided loving visits for the past 10 years.
Some may know Maria (Marie) Waterman as Bill Waterman’s wife. Or some might’ve seen her volunteering and working in The Orinda Association’s (OA) office for the last 10 years. Maybe they’ve spotted her driving Orindans for the Seniors Around Town program, also these past 10 years.
But how many know she’s volunteered for the Hospice of the East Bay’s (HEB) Pet Pal program for nearly 14 years?
And she doesn’t do this volunteer gig alone either – George goes with her, he’s kind of the star. He’s a 15 lb., terrier mix, who is part of HEB’s pet therapy program – but more about that later.
Born and raised in Port Chester, NY, a suburb of NYC, where she says was a block away from the Life Savers candy factory headquarters, Marie married Bill in 1987 – an Orindan homegrown. Bill was Orinda’s 2023 Citizen of the Year.
She said she’s “retired” from the financial services industry (Charles Schwab and Wells Fargo) and now volunteers her time, which she says, “It isn’t work. I do it because I can.”
With a sense of humor and countless stories to tell, the music and film history major from NY’s Manhattanville College and Oakland’s Mills College, shares more about her life and her pawsitive adventures with George.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an adult who lived far away and had my own room.
How did you and Bill meet, and was it love at first sight?
We met at a party of mutual friends in SF, and no … he looked like he just fell off a logging truck from Oregon. Which is where he had been living for 10 years. But he was very nice.
Do you have kids?
No kids! Unless I can count George.
How and why did you get started with HEB in Pleasant Hill and Emeryville?
Hospice also operates The Bruns House in Alamo, which provides inpatient care. When my father was terminally ill, he was cared for by a hospice back East. That was my first experience with that type of care. I also wanted to learn more about it and pet therapy.
Tell me more about George and how you two met?
He was a stray dog who was up for adoption at the Martinez Animal Shelter. I was volunteering there at that time, 15 years ago. The shelter estimated he was two-ish back then, so he may be 17-years-old.
Exactly how does pet therapy work?
HEB assigns a patient to me who has requested a visit from a Pet Pal. Sometimes it can also be a family member who thinks their loved one would benefit from a pet visit. Often this is because the patient has had a pet and they miss not being with one due to their illness. We have also worked with children and their families as part of HEB’s grief support service called The Bridge.
What do you enjoy about this type of service?
I love meeting so many people in a wide range of environments. They love seeing a dog when it is unexpected. When people are on hospice, they can be at home or living in a facility. I also like being able to dispel misconceptions about what it means to be on hospice. Thank you, Jimmy Carter.
How does it help patients?
It brings them joy and is a calming influence. Some folks don’t have family nearby and they also appreciate seeing and petting a friendly, furry face.
Any funny or memorable moments?
There have been so many. I had one patient who didn’t speak and would usually appear to be sleeping when I first began visiting her (without George). The caregiver asked me to bring in George because the patient loved dogs. When I brought George, I told her that there was dog with me and I placed his paw on her hand. She suddenly started talking and opened her eyes. Then she said to be sure that George didn’t have an accident on her bed.
Are cats or other animals used for pet therapy?
Yes, HEB has therapy cats. They are super chill.
Do the animals have any requirements?
Dogs have to pass the Canine Good Citizen test, which is administered by the American Kennel Club. HEB then meets the prospective Pet Pals to ensure they have the proper temperament. They even have a room with a hospital bed that simulates a hospice environment. We humans also go through training to become familiarized with interacting with patients, family members and hospice protocol. Plus we attend ongoing educational meetings throughout the year.
What other volunteer work have you done for Orinda?
Besides working with HEB, I have also been involved with animal rescue. I recently joined the board of an off-Broadway theater company in NYC, plus I’m usually on the snare drum in the drum line for the Orinda Volunteer Marching Band at the annual 4th of July parade.
What do you love about living here?
It’s small enough that you get to know your neighbors. Plus it’s like living in the country with its lovely green environment that’s only a hop, skip and a jump away from SF – where I’ve also lived.
Anything you’d like to add?
In the immortal words of Porky Pig, that’s all folks. Oh, I forgot that we – George and I – also visit LARC (Lamorinda Adult Respite Center) a social adult day program for people with memory loss. George does a ‘meet and greet’ twice a month with folks just before they go to lunch.
