Why Dogs Can Be Great Therapy for Humans
Some 17,000 years ago, humans first began to domesticate dogs from their feral ancestors, the wolves. Since then, dogs have been bred into a plethora of large and small varieties. They have been given jobs, such as shepherds’ helpers and guardians of our valuables when we are away. They pull sleighs and rescue us when we get trapped in the snow. They guide us if our eyesight fails us, and for millions and millions of people they provide daily companionship and loyal friendship. It is of little wonder then that the medical profession is also taking a closer look at our canine companions to see if there is a way that perhaps dogs can help out in the medical treatments of people.
Did you know that more and more institutional settings have recognized the therapeutic value of man’s best friend? It is true! Dogs have become a great therapy tool for their human counterparts, and nursing homes, hospitals, and institutions that specialize in the care of those suffering from mental and physical handicaps are increasingly turning to specially trained canines for the therapeutic benefits that dog – human interactions offer.
The reasons for the effectiveness of dog therapy are plentiful:
Patients who are confined to a hospital bed will gain something to look forward to, such as the weekly visit of a therapy dog. Very often patients will remember the happy times they themselves may have experienced with their own pets and so it will give them a little animal to give that love to they remember so well. Anyone who has ever had to spend a few days or weeks in a hospital will remember just how lonely it is to remain behind when friends and family leave, and day in and day out this loneliness very easily builds up.
Children who have suffered severe trauma and may have withdrawn from the world by refusing to speak or interact with adults may choose to interact with an animal that makes no demands and wields no clipboard but instead is content to just sit with them. Many times children who are electively mute can be observed whispering commands to a dog to sit or stay, or even just to fetch a little ball. Children who suffer from physical impairments will benefit from the challenge to walk beside their canine visitor, or even throw a ball.
The dogs that are used in therapy outreach programs have been tested and evaluated with respect to their temper, their ability to adapt to changing situations, their willingness to be handled by strangers, and their calm demeanor even in a room full of children who may not be so calm. In addition to the foregoing, these dogs are able to tolerate other dogs in the same facilities, so that there will be no barking and negative interactions that could affect their beneficial interactions with the people.
On November 15, 2005 the American Heart Association released an interesting study result, which evidenced that a visit with a dog for as little as twelve minutes has the power to lower blood pressure and to reduce the production of harmful hormones in hypertension sufferers!
An extended benefit is the calming effect that a little tail-wagging dog can have on even the busiest doctor and the most harried nurse. Easing a bit of the workday tension will translate into a calmer physician at the bedside of the patient and a more pleasant doctor-patient interaction.
Of course, if you are a dog owner, you might wonder if your canine friend is cut out to be a therapy dog. There are a variety of therapy dog associations out there that will be happy to test your furry friend, and also train her/him and you, but possibly some giveaways that your dog is a good candidate are:
He is comfortable around people as well as other dogs and does not bark, snarl or growl at them.
The groomer and the vet do not don protective gear when working with your pet.
Your dog does not show fear of people who wear hats, use a cane, hold on to a walker, or have dangly jewelry.
Your dog likes children.
Perhaps Charles Schulz said it best when he coined that unforgettable phrase “happiness is a warm puppy.”
Does your Pet Have What It Takes to Be a Therapy Dog?
You have probably seen the stories on TV where dogs have visited nursing homes and hospitals. Maybe now you are wondering whether or not your dog could help in a similar line of work. Here are some of the things to look for to see if your dog has what it takes to be a therapy dog.
The foremost important thing to consider is whether or not both you and your dog have the personality to get into therapy work. Your dog should be well trained and friendly. He should enjoy going out and not be nervous about new places. He should be comfortable with meeting new people and allowing new people to touch him. A dog that is nervous or uncontrollable will not be of any use in therapy work, no matter how friendly he is.
You should also consider your preferences – are you more comfortable working with children or Alzheimer’s patients? Are you comfortable around people with terminal diseases or do you get emotional or upset? You will need to find a group that you are compassionate for, but also one that you can keep your composure about. Your dog will get his cues from you, so you need to be in control at all times and enjoy what you are doing. Knowing whom you want to work with can make a difference in how you train your dog as well. For example, will he need to be comfortable around children or wheel chairs?
Next is to get your dog ready for certification. There are several things to consider when doing this.
One important thing is to make sure that your dog is in good health. You will need proof that he is current on all vaccinations, has had his annual physical, stool, and heartworm checks, and is free of any parasites or infections. A simple trip to your veterinarian can take care of all of these. At the end, you should receive a health certificate to prove compliance. Keep an eye out for any unusual symptoms that might signal that something is wrong, such as excessive scratching or redness to certain body parts.
In appearance, you dog should be cleaned and well groomed. He should also allow handling and grooming by other people that he does not know. For some lines of work, he might be required to wear a costume or a certain type of collar. Make sure that he is comfortable with having any accessorizes being put on and taken off again.
Your dog should be comfortable around people. This includes being accepting of strangers and neither shying away from them or approaching them until given permission. He should be able to walk through a crowd of people without getting distracted or straining on the leash. He should allow petting and touching by complete strangers. He should not startle or become defensive around loud noises or sudden movement. Have different people approach him and pet him to see how it reacts. While they are there, have them make a loud noise by dropping something or jump suddenly. It is ok for your dog to look surprised, but he should remain where he is and not act aggressively.
You will also want to consider training. A good therapy dog needs to be able to sit, lie down, and stay on command and without any hesitation. These are absolutely essentially for therapy work and he should be able to do them effortlessly. Your dog should be able to walk on a leash without pulling or needing a constant “heel” command. He should not react to other dogs in a room.
If your dog sounds like he would be good with all of these things, the next step to do is get him certified. Most therapy groups will require that he pass the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. This test evaluates behavior and temperament of potential therapy dogs as well as how suitable they are for use around wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital equipment. The therapy organization may also have additional requirements to the AKC’s test that will require independent certification.
With a little bit of work and the right temperament, you and your dog can be on your way to rewarding therapy work.
For more information about dog health, or to choose from related products, choose from one of the following links:
Pet Supplies | Dog Food | Pet Meds
|
