It is not About
Pedigrees; It is About Caring.
Pet Therapy is a simple concept of bringing comfort and
distraction to patients in nursing homes and hospitals, or, to
make a child feel at ease when reading in school or at the
library. The dogs themselves have taught us that their special
skills and abilities go well beyond just bringing pleasure to
the sick and infirm. A dog can bring comfort, acceptance,
understanding, love, and a sense that all is right in the world
to a situation that is lacking meaning. While a human approaches
a tragic incident feeling awkward and wondering what to say or
do, our animal partners do not hesitate to reach out, express
their concern, and try to comfort. The sometimes unintended
results of pet therapy include feeling safe enough to grieve,
safe enough to read aloud, to become aware of denied stress and
allow ourselves to be comforted, to reminisce about pets and
people that made us happy and are now gone, and to replenish our
spirits and motivate us to move on into the future.
This is all done in a way that increases emotional well being,
promotes healing, and enhances the quality of life for the
people being visited and the staff that cares for these people.
These activities might be basic "meet and greet" activities, or,
a professional such as a physical therapist or special-education
teacher might identify a specific goal to work towards.
The dogs bring sparkle to a sterile day, provide a lively
subject for conversation, and rekindle old memories of
previously owned pets. They have the ability to motivate people
to talk and even to walk again when they had given up doing so.
These dogs will accept and love someone no matter what she or he
looks like. They seem to understand when a human reaches out to
pet them and an arm comes down uncontrollably and hits them.
They often will remind an elderly person of childhood days, and
the patient will reminisce.
The first time a dog prances into a care facility, most people
do a double take. A split second later broad smiles stretch
across faces. Regardless of how residents look or how they feel,
the animals are happy to see them. Often deprived of acceptance
and love, those who live or must stay in a care facility
immediately respond to tail-wagging greetings and warm paws.
Four-footed therapists achieve something medical science cannot,
without the use of drugs. It has been clinically proven that
through petting, touching and talking with the animals,
patients’ blood pressure is lowered, stress is relieved and
depression is eased. |
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