Pet Therapy Dog
Pet Therapy Dog :: Dogs have long been used for protection, search
and rescue and a multitude of other purposes but perhaps their largest
contribution to society are as visitors to those less fortunate.
I don't pretend to be an expert on these lovely dogs so I'll let
one of our dog website visitors introduce you to "Splint"...
HELLO!
LET ME INTRODUCE THE MOST INCREDIBLE DOG, MS SPLINT. SPLINT IS
A 4 YEAR OLD YORKIE AND MALTESE BLEND. SHE WEIGHS AROUND 5 LBS.
SHE IS A PET THERAPY DOG. SHE LOVES TO VISIT THE NURSING HOMES AND
GROUP HOMES SPREADING SMILES WHERE EVER SHE GOES. SHE CAN DO LOTS
OF TRICKS INCLUDING PAINTING PICTURES. YES, I SAID SHE COULD PAINT
PICTURES WITH HER PAWS. WE DONATE THEM TO LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
FOR RESALE. WE ALSO DO FUND-RAISERS. AT THE LAST ONE, WE HELPED
TO RAISE $52,000. SHE IS ALWAYS UP FOR AN ADVENTURE. SHE HAS A LARGE
WARDROPE. EVERYONE AT THE NURSING HOME IS ALWAYS CURIOUS WHAT WILL
SPLINT BE WEARING TODAY? SHE ALWAYS KEEPS THEM GUESSING. SHE HAS
NEVER MET A STRANGER AND JUST LOVES EVERYONE. HER FAVORITE TREATS
ARE CHICKEN LIVERS AND ICE CREAM.
HERE ARE SOME MORE PICTURES OF SPLINT, Q-TIP AND CRUTCHES.
SPLINT IS THE NURSE, CRUTCHES THE DOCTOR AND Q-TIP IS IN THE SUNGLASSES
AS MR. COOL. THEY LOVE TO GO AND PERFORM BUT MOSTLY THEY WANT TO
SIT ON PEOPLES LAP AND GIVE KISSES. WE GO AS OFTEN AS WE CAN. I
RECOMMEND PET THERAPY TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE DOGS CAPABLE OF DOING
THERAPY. YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE HOW MUCH THEY CAN BENEFIT PEOPLE.
FOR EXAMPLE, ONE LADY HAD NOT SAID A WORD FOR ALMOST 3 MONTHS BUT
Q-TIP GOT HER TO TALK. THE STAFF AT THE NURSING HOME WERE SHOCKED.
THANKS.
-KIM-
Thank you for sending in your pet therapy dog pictures
and story Kim, I'd love to have pictures of your other dog and any
other information about what you, Splint and Qtip do and the people
you help.
Thanks,
John
Dana sent in her dog picture of 'Redford' who is also a Certified
Pet Therapy Dog:
'He is an Australian Cattle Dog, he is three years old and his
from Albuquerque, and he is a certified Therapy Dog.'
Visiting with animals can help people feel less lonely, and less
depressed. Visits from dogs can provide a welcome change from routine,
or the renewal of old friendships. People become more active and
responsive both during and after visiting with animals.
An animal visit can offer entertainment, or a welcome distraction
from pain and infirmity. People often talk to the dogs, and share
with them their thoughts and feelings and memories. Animal visits
provide something to look forward to. Stroking a dog or cat can
reduce a person's blood pressure. Petting encourages use of hands
and arms, stretching and turning.
The pet makes it easier for two strangers to talk. It gives people
a common interest and provides a focus for conversation. Many people
in hospitals or group homes have had to give up pet ownership and
they miss the casual acceptance a pet gives them. A dog pays little
attention to age or physical ability, but accepts people as they
are. The benefits continue even after the visit. The visit leaves
behind memories not only of the visit, but of past experiences.
It offers something for people to share.
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