Therapy Dogs
Dogs can provide significant therapeutic benefits to
hospital patients and elderly, physically or emotionally
handicapped, or stressed individuals. Playing with,
petting, or looking at a dog can release oxytocin, a
mood-lifting chemical sometimes called "the cuddle hormone;"
release dopamine, the hormone responsible for happiness;
and decrease levels of cortisol, the hormone responsible
for stress, in humans. Dogs are therefore said to be
able to provide comfort to those who need it. but the
benefits are obvious to hospitals, rehabilitation clinics,
and nursing homes. Therapy dogs undoubtedly help raise
the spirits and morale of those they visit.
Therapy dogs first came into systematic use in the
1970s when a nurse, Elaine Smith, observed that patients
responded particularly well to visits from a man and
his golden retriever. After making this observation,
Smith pioneered the development and use of training
programs for prospective therapy dogs. Since Smith's
initial work with them, therapy dogs have been put into
much wider use, and their benefits have been recognized
and supported by many health professionals.
Dogs are used not only to aid and assist those living
with physical or mental impairments, but to raise the
spirits of those undergoing difficult procedures, making
them more comfortable and providing them with a significantly
less stressful experience. Therapy dogs have also been
employed in rehabilitation programs, such as those for
people struggling with substance abuse, not only to
make rehabilitation a more enjoyable experience, but
because therapy dogs tend to make patients more likely
to open up about their personal lives and histories.
Many universities bring therapy dogs to campus during
hectic exam weeks to help relax students as well. Therapy
dogs are also sometimes brought to disaster sites to
help comfort and relax those affected.
Any breed or size dog can become a therapy dog as long
as it has an appropriate temperament. Prospective therapy
dogs must remain calm and well-behaved at all times,
even when faced with loud noises, sudden motions, or
anything else that tends to excite dogs. Therapy dogs
must also be of a gentle and friendly disposition, and
in particular be friendly or even affectionate toward
strangers. The dog cannot have a history of aggression,
and must be frequently socialized with people to ensure
that it can remain calm around people and react appropriately
to strangers.
To become a therapy dog,a dog must first undergo basic
obedience training, or attend specially designed training
programs or classes for prospective therapy dogs. Prospective
therapy dogs must also be completely healthy, and therefore
undergo health exams and receive certain vaccines before
continuing with the process of registration. Dogs then
undergo evaluations by a representative of the organization
through which they intend to work to ensure that they
are suitable. The results of evaluations and health
screenings are then submitted to the organization along
with other paperwork requesting certification, and approved
dogs receive certificates officially declaring them
therapy dogs.
Dog Gifts
|