The New Face of Pet Therapy

Having owned and worked with a therapy dog for the past ten years, I've seen first hand how much of a positive effect they have on hospital patients. On one occasion in particular, we visited an elderly gentleman in hospice care. I was told he hadn't responded to anyone or anything and wasn't expected to live much longer, but they thought a dog might help in some way. Being that it was the holiday, my dog (a 35 pound Australian Shepherd), wore a small pair of soft, plushy "reindeer" antlers on her head, and her jingle bell collar. Upon entering the room, we were greeted by the gentleman's daughter, who was doubtful that a dog could make any difference, but greeted us politely. As soon as she finished speaking, the man said "bells". He'd heard the jingle bells! I lifted my dog onto the bed next to him, and he immediately fixated on her, he began petting her and talking softly to her as if they were the only two beings in the room. We couldn't understand most of what he was saying, but he muttered on and on, occassionally laughing to himself at something he'd said or the dog did. His daughter got up and left the room crying. I'd thought it was because her father was dying, but half an hour later when we left the room, she told me that was the first time he'd spoken in over a month. The next week when we arrived for our visit I was told that the old gentleman had passed away the evening after our visit, but that up until he passed, he talked about the little dog that visited him. While it was a very emotional visit, it's more rewarding than anyone can imagine to know that you and your pet can have such an incredible effect in someone's life.

Another time we visited a young man who had broken his neck. His prognosis was good, but he was in a brace that kept him from moving his arms or legs. He wanted the dog on the bed with him, but I tried to discourage it, since my dog tends to be a bit wiggly and I worried about her bumping an arm and causing a problem with his neck. He insisted so I gently lifted her up and laid her next to him. A nurse placed his hand on the dog so he could feel her fur. To my amazement, my dog completely froze and laid perfectly still the entire time she was on his bed. Somehow she just KNEW that she shouldn't move! It was another long visit and the only thing moving on the dog was her tail and an occassional flick of an ear. To this day I can't believe she laid so still, but it only proves to me that there is such an incredible connection that we just cannot explain, between animals and people.

This is such an incredibly rewarding program, and I plan to continue on with therapy animals for as long as my own health will allow. It's absolutely amazing.

Vicki Correia of MT 12:10PM March 12, 2012

Marcy of CA:

I am unaware that bunnies are used as therapy pets. Where can I get more info about this?

ann keenan of MI 6:21PM December 28, 2011

December 27, 2011 us news

I am a friend of one of the government personnel that monitors the well-being of the soldiers who suffered brain injury and/or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD) during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, I have learned much about the therapy dogs who have wrought miracles in many of those solders' lives.

The service dogs cannot cure their brain injuries and their PSTD, but the work that trained service dogs have rendered for these soldiers is heartening. An interesting and inspiring book, "Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him," gives a first-hand account of Luis Carlos Montalvan's experience with the physical and mental trauma of brain concussion and war violence and the dog who gave new meaning and stability to his life.

For those interested, the following Websites also give some pertinent information on the topic:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/28/luis-carlos-montalvan-memoir_n_911840.html

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.1a019a978f421296e81ec89e43181aa0/?vgnextoid=5624c90cdf6c2210VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/12/military-disabled-troops-veterans-misled-on-service-dogs-123010w/

These sites are a great source of information for the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, and for the friends and relatives of those soldiers. A careful approach to this problem is more complicated than just buying a dog, and the articles give very useful information on the whole topic of companion/service dogs and their owners.

ann keenan of MI 1:02AM December 28, 2011

Hi,

I just want to add that bunnies make wonderful therapy animals but don't get much recognition.

I am a registered pet partner with my 3rd therapy bunny, Oreo. He is 10 1/2 and is amazing. I wish the bunnies could get some more recognition and support as therapy animals.

Happy, Healthy New Year to everyone.

Marcy & Oreo the amazing therapy bunny.

www.oreyo.com

Marcy of CA 6:10PM December 27, 2011