Msn Health

[Jordan123]

JUST GOT THIS OFF THE MSN HOMEPAGE - THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT THAT SHE IS TALKING ABOUT A ROTTIE

Dog kisses heal in pet therapy


By September Morn
MSN Article

The aide wheeled in the last resident and maneuvered his chair into the front row. The gentleman sat motionless in his wheelchair, expressionless, eyes closed, hands resting in his lap. He seemed so far away.

My Rottweiler Bro and I were on a pet therapy visit to the nursing home. Several residents had stroked and hugged Bro on our way in, and now he was making the rounds of the day room. He moved from one outstretched hand to another, sharing a special moment with each person in turn.

Not everyone wants to pet a dog, even one as gentle and well-groomed as Bro. He realizes this; if someone doesn't reach to pet him, Bro usually stands there momentarily, in case the person changes his mind, then moves to the next person.

Bro approached the man in the front row and stood beside his wheelchair. The man remained motionless. But, for some reason, instead of walking away, Bro bowed his head and gently touched the elderly man's hand with his nose. Still, there was no movement, no change in expression. Bro again nudged the hand, then rested his chin on the man's knees.

Soon, trembling fingers began stroking Bro's ear. The man's face came to life, and, though his eyes remained closed, his lips curved to a smile.

Dogs making a difference
Pet therapy, pet-facilitated therapy, and pet-assisted therapy are different terms for the healing affection and companionship pets can offer people. Especially for the sick or elderly in nursing homes, a visiting animal can help when family isn't around.

Many nursing home residents feel lonely or forgotten by their families, especially at the holidays. Gloria Oppmann, of Clarence, New York, observed this at the nursing home where her father lives. "The holidays can be rough for residents, as many families tend to 'forget' relatives in nursing homes. The number who have no visitors at all is appalling."

Oppmann takes one of her Shetland Sheepdogs with her when she visits. "My father and the other residents always enjoy seeing a dog, especially a kissy one."

Cathy Sabin, of Mundelein, Illinois, is another person who began giving pet therapy while visiting a parent. "My mom was in physical rehab at the hospital for three months," she says. Sabin and her Dobermans would often visit during group exercise therapy. As the patients did leg lifts and push-ups, the dogs would do them also. "Patients had more fun doing their exercises while watching the dogs do them," Sabin says. The staff members noticed the effect the dogs had on the patients. Says Sabin, "They begged me to continue after Mom was released."

Therapy animals get organized
Volunteer pet therapy is growing so fast that several organizations have formed to maintain standards for the training and certification of therapy animals. The Delta Society, based in Renton, Washington, is one of the largest and best known.

This year the Delta Society honored Teoti Pullie, her Lab, Cody, and cat, Sebastian, with the Beyond Limits Animal Therapy Team award. Pullie, of Lexington, South Carolina, indeed heads a special team. Sebastian arrived as a starving stray, and Cody was adopted after an emergency leg amputation. Pullie recounts their start: "When Cody first wobbled into my arms, I knew therapy was his calling. We became the first Delta Pet Partners in the Carolinas and slowly started educating healthcare facilities about the power of an effective animal-assisted therapy program."

What exactly is that special power? Pullie describes it, "I have seen a slobbery Lab's kiss unlock a woman's voice who hadn't spoken in years. I have seen a little girl smile, reaching through tubes and a ventilator just to stroke Sebastian's pink nose. I have seen a suffering father confide his fears into velvet ears."

Patients aren't the only ones who benefit from pet therapy. "I think it's just as rewarding for me, Cody, and Sebastian as it is for the people we visit," notes Pullie. "Visiting patients with my pet partners lifts my spirits tremendously. My animals are loved, stroked, and complimented ... they eat it up! And they continue to amaze me every day at their capacity to love strangers unconditionally."

A volunteer pet therapy team can make any day special for nursing home residents. Sabin advises those considering pet therapy, "If your dog is calm and not rough, do it! It is so rewarding!"

Prepare your dog for visiting
Interested in bringing your dog on pet therapy visits? Here's how you can get him ready:

Training: A therapy dog doesn't need to perform at competition-level obedience—but he must walk politely on leash and know how to sit, lie down, stand, and stay. Other skills and tricks may also be useful, such as paws-up, kiss, and fetch.

Socialization: A therapy dog must be friendly to people and not overly interested in other animals. From early on, she should go places and meet all kinds of people, including some using wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and scooters.

Health and grooming: Regular veterinary exams and current vaccinations are important. A therapy dog should be bathed and brushed before visits, and his nails kept short to keep him from slipping on waxed floors. Teeth and ears should be kept clean.

Certification: Some facilities require therapy dogs to be certified or registered with a therapy-dog organization. Most people who do regular pet therapy visits register their animals. The organizations offer support and such benefits as newsletters, seminars, and group insurance.

[RSQRottweiler]

Thank you so much for posting this. . .what a great article!

Audrey