Every Tuesday afternoon, Reno puts on his uniform, hops into the car, and heads off to make a contribution of time and affection to (human) society. He's one of thousands of therapy dogs who give freely of their warmth, gentleness, and open-minded friendliness to lift people's spirits and improve people's health.
Therapy dogs must respond reliably to basic obedience commands. Most also know commands such as "paws on," meaning to put their paws up on a bed or chair, and "paws off," meaning withdraw back to the floor, and some therapy dogs know a few people-pleasing tricks. But unlike dogs who see for the blind, hear for the deaf, or perform the complex tasks of seizure dogs, general assistance dogs, and other service dogs, therapy dogs do not usually receive any intensive specialized training.
All kinds of dogs perform well as therapy dogs, from working stock dogs to holders of championships and working titles to cherished companions. Whatever their other roles in life, therapy dogs share the essential qualities of friendliness toward people, stability in unusual environments, and willingness to be petted, smooched, and talked to by all sorts of people.
Nita Gandara and Harper (Perennial Irish Harper, AKC CDX, ASCA CD, NA, CGC) visit schools with their obedience drill team to teach kids about being safe with dogs.
about the furry visitor. More often, visits are satisfying encounters for everyone involved. From time to time they can be emotionally wrenching, as when Ted gently rests his head on an elderly woman's lap when she begins weeping over abilities stolen from her by a stroke. Or when an autistic child who refuses to interact with other living beings reaches his hand out for big, warm Reno.
The Work of Therapy Dogs
What exactly do therapy dogs do? The answer depends on several factors, including the dog itself, the therapy environment, and the reasons for the visits. For the dog's handler, visits can be uneventful, even disappointing if people are unenthusiastic
Often a dog-assisted therapy session will consist simply of visiting quietly with residents or patients, either individually in their rooms or as a group in a common area. My Aussies have spent many hours in nursing homes and hospitals visiting quietly, getting lots of petting, and hearing story after story about residents' former dogs.
Many people links therapy dogs to nursing homes, but therapy dogs are also used many other environments. Merlin (Merlin's Magick Eye CD), an obedience-titled Australian Shepherd, often accompanies owner Richard Bowers to Midtown Community Mental Health in Indianapolis, where Bowers is a case manager for seriously mentally ill clients. "Having Merlin here seems to calm people, even when he doesn't do anything but lie on the rug," says Richard. "Sometimes people will talk to Merlin, or talk more openly to me as they pet him. Of course, he just eats it up!"
My Aussies regularly take me to "work" at two local elementary schools, where the dogs work with physically and mentally handicapped children. The children's capabilities vary considerably, so the dogs' functions also vary. In some cases, the dogs simply sit or lie down for stroking and cuddling. More active children may practice motor skills by brushing the dogs, throwing toys to be retrieved, or hiding toys for the dogs to find. Children who are able to walk and to speak learn and practice some basic safety rules about approaching dogs.Hospitals are also frequent beneficiaries of therapy dogs' talents. Depending on the particular hospital and its administrators, dogs may be welcomed into pediatrics, oncology, and other wards, including hospice centers. At least one hospital has found the presence of a therapy dog in the emergency room has a calming effect on patients waiting for attention, and on doctors, nurses and other staff members working in such a high-stress environment.
Dogs also play an effective role in physical rehabilitation. My Aussies have worked twice a month for two years in the physical rehabilitation program at Riverview Hospital in Noblesville, Indiana. Physical therapist Amy Smith says, "The dogs are wonderful for motivating patients, many of whom are in pain or depressed or both. The dogs brighten up their day and bring out the personalities of patients who have been withdrawn while in the hospital."
Although some benefits of therapy, such as heightened spirits, are hard to pin down in objective terms, therapists have also noted concrete results from working with the dog, says Amy. "Many patients respond more naturally to the dog than to human therapists, and they'll try harder for Reno or Katie. One lady wouldn't take more than three or four steps at a time for us. Then she walked fourteen steps to hide Ted's stuffed bunny!" In addition to "hide the bunny," patients practice balancing and using their arms for retrieve games, and hold a bar or hoop for the dog to jump. Whatever the activity, people respond to that big Aussie grin and wriggling butt by trying harder and longer.
Becoming a Therapy Dog
It is possible for a dog and handler to make therapy visits without being certified, of course. But several organizations provide testing and certification for therapy dogs, and there are advantages to making your dog "official." For one thing, certification provides some independent assurance that your dog is temperamentally suited to therapy work. Certification also gives the dog and handler more credibility in dealing with administrators and staff at facilities. Finally, most certifying organizations provide insurance during official therapy visits. Each organization has its own rules
and guidelines that the handlers and dogs are expected to follow. The rules and guidelines are designed to enhance the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of everyone involved -- residents, patients, staff, and, of course, the handler and dog. The fees and benefits of the organizations also vary. (See box for information on contacting therapy dog organizations.)
Many dog-and-handler teams work alone or with one or two other teams. Recreation directors in nursing homes and other facilities are often delighted to make space on the calendar for therapy dog visits, so it's usually fairly easy to find a "work place" close to home. For handlers who would rather not strike out solo, look for a local therapy group, perhaps attached to a kennel club, breed club, and performance club, that makes visits in the community. Some hospitals and nursing homes also have organized programs that welcome new volunteers.
Whether they work alone or in a group, therapy dogs carry comfort and joy wherever they go. Each one also represents the best qualities of its species and its breed to the world. I can't think of a more effective way to do so.
