Therapy dogs

By Beth Fink

Using animals in therapeutic settings is not a new idea. It began in the 1500’s when physicians of the day discovered that the presence of an animal calmed and soothed people with mental problems. Florence Nightingale wrote about the power of the human-animal bond and said that the presence of a small caged bird in a patient’s room lifted the spirit and lessened anxiety.

More and more, health care professionals are including properly selected and trained animals and handlers in their courses of treatment, and recognize the power of the human-animal bond and the valid and documented contribution these animal-handler teams can make in improving the psycho-social sense of well-being in their patients. Depending on the facility and the particular national registry of animals and handlers (Delta Society Pet Partner Program, Therapy Dogs International, and Therapy Dogs Incorporated), there are many ways for interested volunteers to share their talents and compassion.

Therapy Dogs, International and Therapy Dogs, Incorporated focus on nursing homes, assisted living centers, and long term care facilities where they visit residents who are lonely, or who are chronically ill or have suffered injury. These visits benefit more than the resident - the facility staff look forward to their arrival, too! They visit in Alzheimer facilities where their presence sometimes lifts the veil of confusion for a period of time. There is a behavioral evaluation and a health examination for the dog, plus some additional paperwork that the volunteer must complete in order to be accepted as a Therapy Dogs, International or a Therapy Dogs, Incorporated member.

Delta Society Pet Partner program volunteers (6500 across this country and five other nations) are actively visiting in rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, assisted living centers, long term care facilities, as well as schools, prisons, and pediatric and adult acute care hospitals. They visit in all areas of hospitals, and some are actively used in intensive care and cardiac care settings, in psychiatric units to help ease the anxiety and stress of emotional illness. They are at bedside in the oncology units at the time of death to give unconditionally of their kindness and compassion.

Delta Society has also developed evaluation guidelines for other species, too, such as cats, horses, ponies, pocket pets such as guinea pigs and hamsters, llamas, certain breeds of birds, and even pot bellied pigs! They can all be Pet Partners, if they have the required skills and aptitude. And they all bring their own kind of unconditional love.

The Delta Society Pet Partner Skills and Aptitude Tests for suitability is involved, and a health evaluation for the animal, as well as a training class for the handler is also required. Re-assessment of skill and aptitude at two year intervals is also required to continue to be registered as a Delta Society Pet Partner. Some Pet Partner visiting animal programs will mentor their new volunteers in the facility.

In all cases, each national registry requires that the animal and the handler, regardless of species, is polite, confident and competent. Behavioral skills and social skills are considered equally and the well-prepared animal and handler can look forward to a rewarding experience helping others.

If you have a wonderful animal that you would like to share with others, please visit any of these national registries’ websites for more information on how to become involved with your animal and make a positive difference in someone’s life!