August 2005

RSS

Furry Therapists

Pet Assisted Therapy

Therapy dog work is being part of a team, and at its best is a rewarding experience for both canine and human. When my Border Collie Buzz and I get ready for work, we are both eager. He knows the sign of a work-day: I bring out the short leash, which enables better handling. He stands on his two hind legs with the grace of a dancer so I may snap on the collar. Soon, he leaps into the car in a flurry. By the time we reach the mile-long hill leading to the nursing home, he is whining in anticipation. He loves what he does! We are ready to greet people and we hope to bring them joy.

Hello, you have a furry visitor

I handle my dog through halls, around trays of food, IVs, wheelchairs, smiling nurses, and an occasionally-frightened resident. I scan the halls for people like that. Their eyes may get large, they may turn away or tremble, or they may utter a clearly fearful sound. At the beginning of his career, Buzz would try to move straight for these people to offer comfort. Now he doesn´t need me to pull him away when he senses fear.

There are many who welcome a furry visitor. Buzz reaches his head up to be stroked and offers licks to those who seem to want it. Some residents even call him up on their beds so they can cuddle as he rolls to have his belly rubbed. "I had a dog," many of them say as they run their hands over my partner´s silky fur. "I miss him so. I´m so glad you visit!"

Sometimes the dog is an icebreaker drawing out childhood tales and memories of soul-mates. Some people can´t speak at all, but you can see their bodies relax as they stroke a patient and loving animal.

I can tell when it is time to go. Buzz puts so much energy into each person that he becomes exhausted after 45 minutes or so. I watch him start to flag, and I respond immediately to my hard-working partner. We leave, and he bursts eagerly back out into fresh air. When then next therapy day arrives, however, he is ready to go, trembling with excitement when I bring out his short leash.

A multitude of venues

Therapy dogs do not just work in convalescent homes or hospitals. Buzz also works with me in my guidance office at a K-8 school as a literacy, or reading dog. He hops gleefully on the office couch to sit beside a thrilled child and listen attentively to him read. Children with reading difficulties get to practice reading aloud to a non-judgmental and attentive dog. Not only do such children get practice reading, they also learn about kindness to animals.

With the appropriate training, therapy dogs can assist at crime scenes, for example, by being a "friend" of a child who is too traumatized to speak after witnessing a crime. Therapy dogs can also help the growth of an emotionally disturbed child. One therapy dog even goes to dental appointments with a child to get her through the frightening experience.

No matter what a therapy dog´s duties or place of volunteer employment, she has to become certified as a canine therapist. How you and your dog become a certified therapy dog team depends on where you live and what organizations are available to certify your dog.

Susan Holzer, volunteer coordinator for the Humane Society of Sonoma County, said her organization runs a P.A.T. (Pet Assisted Therapy) program. "We have a group that visits convalescent homes and hospitals and a couple who do reading dog programs," she said. Anyone interested in volunteering attends an initial orientation learn more about the Humane Society. Beside some paperwork, the new hopeful must have passed a "Canine Good Citizen" test proctored by a registered AKC trainer and a have a clean bill of health. "After that, they do a supervised visit at a convalescent home, hospital or school that has requested a team," Holzer explained.

Ongoing support for the teams comes through newsletters, phone calls, and regular volunteer meetings. Holzer´s P.A.T. group meets four times a year to allow volunteers to share experiences and issues.

Therapy dog basics

Interested in having your dog certified? First, know yourself and know your dog. You may love to give of yourself and chat with people, but is your dog as comfortable in such a role? How does he react to strange noises, cramped quarters, and people handling him roughly due to stroke, illness, dementia, or youth and inexperience? Also consider what setting might be best for you and your dog.

There are some common prerequisites when entering therapy dog certification.(be sure to check with your evaluation group to see if there are any variations). In most cases, a therapy dog should:

  • Be at least one year old
  • Be current with all vaccinations
  • Be licensed. Tags must be worn
  • Be healthy and clean (brushed, free of fleas, clean ears and short toenails)
  • Not be "in season" during testing or visits (females)
  • Be comfortable when handled on a 4-foot leash (or shorter)
  • Not be treated with oily flea treatment within one week of testing or a visit. Residue can be transferred to people while petting
  • Not show aggression toward other people or animals.

Some programs require obedience class before evaluation, but others do their own "test" for basic obedience within the evaluation.

Bonding through preparation

Still interested? Before you even set foot into a meeting or venture to take the Canine Good Citizen test there are things you can do to prepare your dog. When I was preparing Buzz, it was a great excuse for quality time with him. I purchased a short leash and brought him to different locations. We walked down city sidewalks and had people I knew (who had never met Buzz) approach us as strangers. We also had friends with dogs approach and greet us. I walked Buzz through obstacle courses inside and outside to see how well he could maneuver in tight spots. My husband made loud noises to see if Buzz had a highly reactive response, showed fear or aggression, or listened to me under such stress.

Get your dog used to being touched a lot. Handle him often and everywhere. Groom him frequently. We had friends participate in this activity, too.

Giving, and getting

Therapy dog work will bring you many personal rewards. You will make many people´s lives brighter, and in the process hear many interesting memories and stories. You will get to see the joy in a child´s face as he reads to his new friend, your wonderful dog. Your dog will have a job, which she looks forward to and loves, thus offering her an enhanced quality of life. Finally, you and your dog will become closer than ever through your experiences, both in preparing for this work and actually performing it.

The following groups have active therapy dog programs serving the North Bay.