? This Doggies for Dementia delightful photo session is with Lizel and her daughter Jessica. It is our mission to provide exceptional experiences with professional photo sessions. We strive to make them fun and to capture the true personality and that twinkle in their eyes as families interact. Lizel has vascular dementia and a less common form of dementia called Fronto-Temporal Behavioral Variant Dementia (FTD-bv). Her symptoms began in her mid 40’s. People with this form of dementia can sometimes say and do things which are not typical and can be off putting. This is where Doggies for Dementia shines. We understand this, and live the mantra, No Hurry, No Worry. People are not expected to be perfect, and we aren’t phased by whatever is said or done. This creates a “safe” and peaceful environment for families.
About Lizel: Lizel was a middle school teacher for 32 years. She loved to travel and build elaborate flower gardens. She especially loved learning languages. Lizel was quite patient and learned to create detailed dollhouses where no detail was left behind. See below to see what Jessica wrote about her mother and their journey together. I loved it so much I invited Jessica to an upcoming episode of Experts Dig in with Doggies for Dementia. 
What Happens When Caregivers See a Need or Void?
They become proactive! You’ll want to take a look at www.JessicaLizelCannon.com as Jessica’s new book, The Proactive Caregiver: Stop Reacting to Life, Start Living Proactively launches December 15th. She is having a launch LIVE party on her website Sunday 12/12/2021. Jessica Lizel Cannon Specializes in educating others on how to be a Proactive Caregiver by targeting the caregiver, rather than the care recipient. After numerous challenges with diagnosis and educating others, family and medical professionals, about FTD-bv, she decided to document her journey so others going through a similar journey might avoid the problems she encountered. I love her inspiration and dedication, and I believe you will too.
Through Her Daughter’s Eyes
Doggies for Dementia Foundation asks families to provide some information about their loved one so we can highlight them and their journey. It is about the people first and dementia second. I decided to include Jessica’s responses because they’re relevant and beautifully written. I hope you enjoy getting to know Lizel and Jessica like we have here at Doggies for Dementia.
About Doggies for Dementia: Families are gifted the photo and video sessions and matted prints. Together we share their story in blogs, here on YouTube and on social media with a mission to raise awareness. We know the world can be a more kind and compassionate place for those with dementia as we all learn more about it. Having Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of Dementia can lead to isolation and loneliness even when there are loving family and friends around. This is especially true for those impacted by FTD. Pets can help so much, even when the dog is a mechanical one as in this case. So does a special dedicated photo session about the person and family who just happens to have dementia. We aim to put the person first. Doggies for Dementia is a 501c3 corporation with a mission to provide beautiful experiences and memories for those impacted by dementia using photography. We are also advocates with sights on raising awareness through education, so nobody has to experience the pain of stigma, isolation and loneliness.
