Posted on October 19, 2011 by: WayCoolDogs

 

Life changes for people when a therapy dog walks into the room. Everyone who has witnessed therapy dogs interacting with people testifies to the positive effects created by the human-canine connection. It is not a matter of age; the special qualities found in dogs can touch people at all stages of life. For the old and infirm, the eyes light up and a smile may cross their face; for the child, the door opens to the world of reading, a world of imagination and information –a world of possibilities.

Therapy Reading Dogs
Parents are amazed and grateful when their child opens up to reading after spending time with Star, a rescued Labrador in the Paws for Tales library program in Warrick County, Indiana. Star’s owner, Karen Sorenson, who has started several Paws for Tales programs for children, finds that even reluctant readers will come around after spending time with Star.

 

Recognizing Star’s positive affect on people, Karen takes her dog to other venues where the human-canine connection is beneficial They are regular volunteers at St. Mary’s Hospital, Deaconess Hospice, and in the Evansville Literacy Center, where Karen works as a tutor. Therapy dog owners around the country, seeing the power of the human-canine connection, are volunteering in similar programs that reach young and old alike.

 

The Dog Goes to School
Julie Hauck, a third grade teacher of some lucky children in Sheboygan, WI, actually owns a certified therapy reading dog, Preston. Five years ago, Julie created the Pages for Preston reading program. Like all dogs, Preston is neither judgmental nor critical. Reading to the dog is something even reluctant readers have come to look forward to. 
The positive results of her program have surprised even Julie. “The children look forward to reading to Preston beyond my expectations…their excitement translates into motivation. I’ve seen a marked and continuing improvement in reading skills and their interest in books.”

 

If the Dog is Willing
Would you think that a Shih-Tzu, a tiny fur ball of energy named Otto, could help a speech language pathologist/special educator in his work? Unlikely as this may seem, Ira Kittrell in Holliston, Massachusetts, devised several goal-oriented communication programs wherein a group of middle school students worked on their developmental goals with Otto. Ira and Otto, also visit the local library, a facility for children with emotional issues, and an overnight camp where he helps children overcome homesickness. Otto also makes a wonderful Toto when the camp produces The Wizard of Oz.

 

Unconditional Love
Barbara Babikian works with two Sheltie therapy dogs, Dusty and Lille; both dogs are graduates of the R.E.A.D. program. Depending on the day, Barb and her dogs may visit schools, hospitals, or facilities for disadvantaged children.
Barbara has been head of the Animal Assistance Program at NAC, New Alternatives for Children, for three years. The children, ages 5-15, come to NAC for support from poorer communities surrounding New York City and many of them are medically, physically or emotionally challenged. Barb writes, “Children in the program have come from living in their car, living in foster-care and a child may also be in a wheelchair and non-verbal…..a lot of the children who first start in the group are extremely shy. It takes months for them to open up, and I’m sure that when they do, it’s because of the dogs just being in the room and giving them the unconditional love that dogs give.”

 

Rocky Walks into a Room

 

Therapy dogs must be born with the right temperament. There is no special size, breed or background. Carol Varney in Belmont New Hampshire, volunteers with Rocky, a rescued German Shepherd. In the past, they have visited schools, nursing homes and returning troops from Iraq and Iran. I asked Carol, who now works full time, but still volunteers regularly at the New Hampshire Veterans Home, what keeps her motivated.
Carol says that “…the personal satisfaction I get when I see the faces of the elderly and the staff when Rocky walks into their room…is beyond words! They perk up, reach out to pet him, smile, ask questions about him, and those who are unable to speak, just enjoy his soft coat.” She adds, “The only down side to being a therapy dog team in a nursing home is that you develop friendships with those regular visits and there are days when you go back in and a special person is not there.”

 

The Dog Opens the Door
A former teacher, Susan Purser, and her Australian Cattle Dog, Rose, are an active therapy dog team in Sarasota, Florida. They work in reading programs with healthy children and those in hospitals. They also visit the elderly in both nursing homes and private homes. Susan gives all credit to Rose, not to herself.

 

“No matter who you are or why you do pet therapy, it is the dog that opens the door…doors that would otherwise be closed to a well meaning human…doors that are sometimes closed to family, friends, care givers and staff of facilities.  There is something very special about these canine creatures and they have been saving and comforting humans for thousands of years.  It is their touch or look that gives people that inner peace when their world is shrinking or spinning so fast they have lost control.  When doors begin the final closing, there is that one last smile, nod, a hand that reaches for a dog that allows some of them to say good bye and close their eyes in peace.”

 

Amazing things can happen when a dog walks into the room.

 

      …………………………………………….

 

Postscript:
I became a very respectful believer in therapy dogs and their owners after learning about the wonderful work they do. I found, however, that the work of organizations like the Delta Society – with over 10,000 Pet Partner therapy dog owners helping over a million Americans — was not well known outside of the dog world. This is changing, as clinicians and caregivers witness the value of visits by these dogs. And, in recent years, more and more librarians, teachers and parents have come to recognize the benefits of programs like R.E.A.D. and Reading with Rover

 

                                        ………………………………………

 

Guest Post by Robert J McCarty, the author of The Planet of the Dogs series of books for children and dog lovers. He supports therapy dog reading programs through his blog, http://barkingplanet.typepad.com.

* * * * *

For more dog health info, dog stories and fun stuff, subscribe to our newsletter.

Related posts:

• Therapy Reading Dogs: “Kids, Reading & Waggy Tales”
• How to Raise a Therapy Dog
• Therapy Dog Certification Information