CEL HOPE
4817 Big Horn Ave.
Sheridan, WY 82801
Phone/fax:  (307) 674-4800
E-Mail: gsdlover@celhaus.com or celhaus@fiberpipe.net      http://www.celhaus.com

THERAPY DOGS

I'm awarded the Community Person of the Week in August, 2000 for my Therapy Dog work

The following are quotes from an excellent book, Volunteering with Your Pet. by Mary R. Burch, Ph.D.

In 900 BC Homer wrote about the god of healing, who used a sacred dog to accomplish the healing of people.

In the 1790's at York Hospital, Yorkshire, England, a treatment center for people with mental illness, the Quakers utilized Pet Assisted Therapy.

In 1859 Florence Nightingale wrote that a small pet is an excellent companion for the sick.

In 1919 animals were used in St. Elizabeth Hospital, Washington, C.D., for men with mental problems.

In the 1940's the Red Cross, working with people with war injuries, had them work on a farm, with animals, to help them forget and recover from their injuries.

In the 1950's, clinical psychologist Dr. Boris Levinson, at Yeshiva University in NY, had his dog, Jingles, attend therapy sessions with a disturbed child.

Various organizations exist to foster pet assisted therapy.  Therapy Dogs International was founded in 1976.  Therapy Dogs Incorporated was founded in 1990.

Jack Butrick, co-founder of Therapy Dogs Incorporated, was using animals to teach measurable goals and objectives (commonplace now but unheard of then), when most people were excited about simply visiting with animals.

I use all of my dogs as Therapy Dogs.  In fact, in the 1980's, I was the first person in Wyoming with a Therapy Dog.  I still make at least one visit a week, sometimes more.  When I have a litter of puppies I first take them, as a group with their mother, at 4 weeks of age.  From 5 weeks until they go to their new homes, they are making individual visits, on lead, to both nursing homes, an assisted living facility, and a shut-in whom I visit regularly.  When I keep a pup for myself, she makes regular "walk through" visits so that the residents can see her growing up. Pups don't sit still for regular visits until they're about a year old (one reason they can't be certified as Therapy Dogs until that age), but they enjoy about a 30 minute walk through the institution, accepting treats, showing off any tricks they've learned, and generally showing off.

Ari (5 weeks) visiting at a nursing home. 

I have been called by activity directors who need me to make a special "spur of the moment" visit, especially to the Alzheimer's unit.  When the residents respond to nothing else, they always will interact with the dogs.  That can be one of the most rewarding parts of this volunteer activity.  Over the years we have made quite a few good friends who look forward to our visits and ask for the latest funny story about their antics.  The residents know all my dogs by name and which dog enjoys what activity, but they seldom remember my name or recognize me if I appear at the nursing home without a dog! 

All my dogs take turns doing Therapy Dog visits and get excited when they see the special collar and leash.  They begin to "sing" as soon as we take the turn which leads to the nursing home.  Glory enjoys riding in a wheelchair during our visits.  She loves people's double takes and the ensuing admiration and adulation showered upon her as she sits proudly upon her "throne".  She also enjoys being on a perfect level to be petted by residents in their own wheelchairs. 

Glory visiting at a nursing home. 

I was invited to bring a Therapy Dog to visit a class at the Wyoming girls School.  The Girls School is our state institution for girls, 12 t0 18 years old, who have gotten in trouble with the law and have been committed to the Girls' School by a judge.  They're given a highly structured environment, all kinds of counseling and other activities to help them go straight.  The class I visited had been studying how animals help people, and the teachers asked me to give a live demonstration of Therapy Dog work.  Many of the teens are at the Girls School because of abuse of lack of supervision (pretty much running wild).  These girls were mesmerized by our visit, asked lots of questions, told me about their dogs at home, and were particularly interested in what makes a good Therapy Dog.  It was good to see them acting like normal kids.

I took Glory and Jubilee, who was then 6 months old, so they could see an experienced Therapy Dog as well as learn how to socialize puppies so that they will grow up to be good Therapy Dogs.  We charmed the group.  Glory loves to "work a group" and proceeded to get down to business, giving kisses, striking her irresistible pose (on back, head curved to expose mouth making a big smile), riding in a revolving office chair, and so forth.  Jubilee didn't have quite the experience her mother does, but she visited with everyone and even learned to get into that strangely moving chair!  All of us humans sat on the floor and laughed and talked about why people in institutions need animals to visit them so that they, too, can enjoy the fabulous gifts living creatures give to us.

Ashi (5 weeks) visiting one of the nurses in the Alzheimer's Unit. 

 Therapy Dogs enrich the lives of caregivers as well as residents.

The girls enjoyed our visit so much that they asked to accompany me on Therapy Dog visits.  One of the nursing homes is close to the Girl's school, so for months I took a girl with me each time I went there.  This was a double blessing for both groups--an opportunity for the girls to "give" love to others and see the beauty of the elderly, and a new, pretty, young face to cheer up someone for whom time often drags heavily.  This particular nursing home has a daycare center, which is always our last stop.  The teens really enjoyed seeing the dog disappear under hugging arms and kissing faces of 2 to 12 little ones.

Smokey (6 weeks)

For, perhaps, if the truth were known, we're all a little blind, a little deaf, a little handicapped, a little lonely, a little less than perfect.  And if we learn to appreciate and utilize the dog's full potentials, we wil, together, make it in this life on earth.  

Charlotte Schwartz, Friend to Friend--Dogs That Help Mankind

Smokey & Ari  (5 weeks) visiting at a nursing home.  I usually get kids to help.

I helped establish a Therapy Dog unit as part of our 4H dog program.  For years we took the kids and their dogs on a monthly visit to each nursing home.  Two of us dog leaders are Tester/Observers for Therapy Dogs Incorporated.  After the kids completed the first year course, we would invite those whose dogs we thought would make good Therapy Dogs, to go through the certification process.   Certification involves one screening session and three supervised visits to the nursing homes, after which we approve the teams and invite them to send the paperwork to Therapy Dogs Incorporated.  Once TDInc has approved them as members and sent their "badge", a special red heart to wear on visits, they can join us on visits.  The screening session establishes that the dog has the good, steady temperament needed for this work, that the owner has the dog under control and can keep both the dog and residents safe on visits, and that the dog enjoys being petted by strangers.  It also establishes that the dogs are up to date on immunizations and are clean and parasite free.  The supervised visits allow us to discern that the dog is comfortable around the smells, sounds, erratic behavior and movement of residents, and that the handler is attentive enough to help the dog in all those encounters.  It is always exciting to see a dog realize what we're there for and begin initiating contact with each resident.

A 4H Therapy Dog visit on November 1st.  That's me looking like a sheep, with Pepper, now deceased.

What type of dog makes a good Therapy Dog?  The breed doesn't make nearly as much difference as some would think.  The personality of the individual is the key.  We have certified a great variety of breeds here in Sheridan:  West Highland White, Great Pyrenees, Yorkshire Terrier, Border Collie, Lab, Springer Spaniel, Rottweiler, Miniature Pinscher, Bassett, Bull Terrier, Borzoi, Australian Shepherd, Dalmatian, Weimaraner, Schnauzer, many mixed breeds, and of course my German Shepherds. Some dogs are more outgoing with strangers in the beginning, but all become soon excited about their "work".  

Glory demonstrating her irresistible pose.

My German Shepherds are usually more interested in pleasing me than in the residents at first, but soon the light dawns and they realize the strangers ARE the work.  They become very serious and focused upon the residents and soon seem to know who needs extra time on a particular visit.   Sometimes they zero in on a particularly unresponsive, autistic resident and gently place their heads under the person's hand  until they notice and begin gently stroking; sometimes they just snuggle and keep body contact as if trying to offer comfort.  Mine often like to lie at the person's feet and rest their chin gently on the foot, letting them know they can pet or not as they choose.  Bless particularly likes to hold hands.  Glory does her irresistible pose.  All the girls enjoy having the residents toss treats for them to catch (I always bring treats for this!).  Droll leans lovingly into the wheelchair and stares at them lovingly, or collapses and invites them to rub his belly (he says it's too much work to catch treats).  

Research has documented what all animal lovers know instinctively:  animals are good for our health.  the unconditional love offered by an animal reaches deep into a suffering and lonely heart.  The motto of Therapy Dogs Incorporated is quite appropriate: "Change Tears into Smiles!  Help the Forgotten To Laugh."  Some residents tell me the same stories about dogs they loved each time I visit, bringing to mind good memories which warm them long after I leave.  The residents know when we enter the home and often come looking for us, impatient to visit, gathering in the hallway outside the room we happen to be in, listening to and joining into that conversation and continuing it when we emerge into the hall. After we've  moved on they often compare notes on m stories and begin to share their own animal stories.  Many enjoy feeding the dogs.  I always bring treats, but some residents keep stashes--cookies, crackers, candy--in their rooms for the dogs (but seldom for me!).

Ajax (6 weeks)

In the small town where I live, nursing homes are the only institutions using Therapy Dogs at present.  I have been called to visit the Homeless Shelter when they have a family in residence.  I have also worked with schools and in a summer program for troubled children.  In larger areas, Therapy Dogs often visit children's units, cancer wards and other areas in hospitals, special care facilities and other places where hurting people are.  This is a very rewarding activity to do with your dog.  If you are interested in further information you can contact one of the groups listed below.  You can also e-mail me.  If you give me your location and zip code, I can send you names and phone number the tester/observer(s) in your area. 

Glory bringing joy to a resident. 

Therapy Dogs Incorporated, P. O. Box 5868, Cheyenne, WY 82003  

E-Mail: Therapy Dog Inc@Juno.com 

Website:  therapydogsinc@qwestoffice.net

Links to Therapy Dog pages:

Delta Society    http://petsforum.com/deltasociety/dsa000.htm

http://www.rehabnet.com/aft/index.html

Only a Dog

author unknown

Do you remember thinking it was time that the kids learned some responsibility and scanning the newspaper ads for a cheap dog for sale?  Do you remember bringing home this little ball of shivering fur and putting her out in the yard on a chain that was too heavy on a night that was too cold?  Of course you don't remember this.  After all, she is only a dog.

Do you remember this baby crying because she was afraid and alone?  Do you remember screaming at her to be quiet and finally going out there to kick her to drive home the lesson?  Of course you don't remember this.  After all, she is only a dog.

Do you remember the many times you noticed her water bowl was empty and her food bowl was covered with mold and thinking that it was the kids' job to take care of her?  Do you remember seeing that her coat was dull and lifeless and, in many places, chewed away down to the skin because of the parasites no one took the time to rid her of?  Of course you don't remember this.  After all, she is only a dog.

Do you remember her first heat and the neighbor's male visiting her night after night?  Do you remember thinking that letting her have the puppies would be a good experience for the kids?  Do you remember that every one of those pups died because their mother was no more than a puppy herself?  Of course you don't remember this.  After all, she is only a dog.

I know you remember the animal control officer coming to the house, accusing you of animal cruelty and taking her away because you couldn't understand what all the fuss was about.  After all, she is only a dog.

I thought you might be interested in how this girl is doing today.  You see, once she found a home that gave her love, attention and proper care, she blossomed into a beautiful, loyal companion.  To these people, she is much more than only a dog.

She became a therapy dog and now goes to nursing homes and hospices where she brightens the lives of the infirm and dying.  To some of these people, she has given hope.  To others, she's given a reason to keep living.  To even others, she's given the will tho die peacefully, with a smile on their lips.  To these people, she is much more than only a dog.

Just last week, she helped find a little boy who was lost in the woods.  She spent a long, cold winter's night, lying over him to keep him warm and risked her own life to protect his.  To this little boy and his family, she is much more than only a dog.

Why did that filthy, flea ridden animal chained in your backyard suddenly become so important to so many?  Because she never gave up her trust in people and she never once thought, "After all, he is only a human."

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