Therapy Dog Shows Spirit that Explains Why so Many People Love dogs
I’d like to thank Jeanne, of Boise, Idaho for forwarding an excellent article to me.
I believe the article speaks for itself. Tomorrow, more Q and A.
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My dog would be perfect for it, he’s just too old now.
I’m a therapy cat. I absolutely LOVE visiting the residents of the nursing home! Mommy and I go to the floor where the residents need round-the-clock care. I have a stroller, so I either walk on harness/leash or stroll up to the residents, then sit on their laps for pets. Two of the residents I don’t sit on their laps, but prefer their beds; then they sit up and pet me.
I know just what my friends need, so I interact differently with each one. Some of them like to pet me. Some like to talk to me. Some can’t do either, but laugh or smile when I come visit. Last time, their aides rolled them over to the end of a hallway, and they made a circle with me in the middle. I was so happy that I didn’t even know which lap to sit on first!
Delta Society, Therapy Dogs International, and S.A.R.A. are three of the most well-known programs to be certified, but some places let you visit without certification (most you have to at least be training). Each program has different requirements, but start out socializing your furry friend and get them used to different equipment and environments. Some do better with younger people; some with older. Some do fine around wheelchairs & walkers, while others freak out. It takes both personality & training. Mommy and I have a Catster/Dogster group called Therapy Pets that anyone can join if you are or are considering being a therapy animal team.
My Snuggles(who is a puggle) also is a therapy animal. She is a member of HABIT(human animal bond in Tn) We go to visit patients at a local hospital every Sat AM. She weighs 25 pounds so I pull up a chair and put her in my lap for patients to pet, talk, smile and laugh with. I don’t know who is more rewarded, patients, staff, visitors at the hospital , Snuggles or me. It is definitely a win-win situation. What better way to start your Sat morning!!! PS