I believe all humans are created with the desire to love and to be loved, and yet we feel so inadequate at times, wondering how can we love and help others…….
When right under our feet or on our sofa may be the answer…..
Our beloved PETS!

“Research has shown that heart attack victims who have pets live longer. Even watching a tank full of tropical fish may lower blood pressure, at least temporarily. A study of 92 patients hospitalized in coronary care units for angina or heart attack found that those who owned pets were more likely to be alive a year later than those who did not. The study found that only 6 percent of patients who owned pets died within one year compared with 28 percent of those who did not own pets.

The therapeutic use of pets as companions has gained increasing attention in recent years for a wide variety of patients -people with AIDS or cancer, the elderly, and the mentally ill. Unlike people, with whom our interactions may be quite complex and unpredictable, animals provide a constant source of comfort and focus for attention. Animals bring out our nurturing instinct. They also make us feel safe and unconditionally accepted. We can just be ourselves around our pets.

Research has shown that pet ownership can:

• Reduce stress

• lower blood pressure

• Relieve depression and anxiety

• Boost your moods

• less medical care

• bring hope

• feeling of acceptance

• add years to your life!

• And much more!

We have so greatly received from our pets, why not share the love with others less fortunate and make the world a happier place!

Do you need experience?

Any training is helpful and will make your first experience a better one for both you and those you visit, as well as for your pet.

Although I did not have much experience when I began, I was fortunate to have the basic ingredients, a calm obedient loving dog, and a desire to share their love. You too can share your pets love!

As I began to read and research this idea of visiting people with my dog, I realized there was so much more to learn and lots of organizations to help!

These organizations work hard to teach and prepare us to help others with our pets. You can even become certified in this area, and more doors will be opened to you and your pet! You can make your first experience a success for both you and those you visit by training yourself.
Even reading a book is better than nothing.

Here are some good books and websites to help you along:

One popular book is Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog To Reach Others by Kathy Diamond Davis, another is Pets In Therapy edited by Margaret N. Abdill and Denise Juppe. If you are a professional counselor or therapist planning on including pets are part of your theraputic program a more appropriate book is Handbook On Animal-Assisted Therapy by Aubrey H. Fine (Editor).
 
Getting started and certification resources

( these are just a few…)

The Bright & Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc. 
The Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc. evaluates, tests, trains, qualifies and supports therapy dogs. Teams passing the screening and evaluation can register with the group to get insurance coverage, guidance and support and other benefits. Training classes to enhance visit skills are also available.

Therapy Dogs International, Inc.
Therapy Dogs International, Inc. (TDI) is a volunteer group organized to provide qualified handlers and their Therapy Dogs for visitations to institutions, facilities, and any other place where Therapy Dogs are needed. Based in Flander, New Jersey, this organization certifies dog and handler teams across the United States, Canada and some other countries. This web site describes the testing and certification requirements.

Delta Society
Delta provides instructors or training materials to teach the skills needed to visit safely with an animal in hospitals, nursing homes, classrooms, and other facilities. Regular publications keep participants up to date on emerging issues, research, and a wide variety of information on the human - animal relationship. With successful completion of the registration requirements you get liability insurance, referrals to facilities, newsletters and continuing education opportunities as well as networking support. A wide variety of animals may be registered under Delta's program. For articles and abstracts check out Delta's page on Health Benefits of Animals .

Therapy Dogs Inc.
The home page for Therapy Dogs, Inc. has some interesting pages on zoonotics (diseases transmittable between human and animal) as well as the temperament testing form. Therapy Dogs, Inc. offers certification to dog-handler teams passing testing and evaluation.

International Association of Canine Professionals
The IACP assistance in the development of effective therapy dog programs for animal service providers, health care providers and educators who include dogs as modalities in their work. Resources are also available for volunteers who handle their dogs in clinical and educational settings.

Angel Halls
Angel Halls is dedicated to creating Professional Animal Assisted Therapy Dog Teams utilizing canines from rescue situations. Provides workshops for teachers that demostrate how to take a child?s natural attraction and interest for animals and develop it into a humane attitude. Offers training and support for individual professionals who would like to in corperate AAT into their programs. Includes an early readers series to help educate children about working dog, plus tips slide shows and other fun stuff

Now let’s focus on the benefits of all this and how we can be an instrument of love to those less fortunate. After that you can learn all you want and take it to any level, the stars the limit and love has no bounds!

So why take our animals visiting in health care facilities?

SMILES!
From experience I can tell you that the reason I keep going is it puts smiles and tears of joy on the faces of those we meet. Many of the people in nursing homes for example do not have family anymore and/or regular visits from people who care about them. The miracle of the touch of a cuddly soft loving pet, can bring more joy than a thousand words!

LAUGHTER!
Sometimes visits can be entertaining as your pet does something funny only pets can do, and this can be a welcome distraction from their pain and infirmity. Many laugh as they watch your pet do silly doggy things, like lick the nose or toes of someone, yuck! Laugher is good medicine for the soul!

TALK!
People often talk to the dogs more easily than to strangers, and share with them their thoughts and feelings and memories. Often people tell about their beloved dog they had at one time, and the cherished memories. Many people in hospitals or group homes have had to give up pet ownership and this is a real void and sadness for some
The pet makes it easier for two strangers to talk. I was always shy and nervous to speak to strangers until I took my pet along. It gives people a common interest and provides a focus for conversation.  A dog pays little attention to age or physical ability, but accepts people as they are. This is God’s unconditional love!

HOPE!
Visiting with animals can help people feel less lonely, and less depressed. Visits from dogs can provide a welcome change from routine, or the renewal of old friendships and the making of new ones. People become more active and responsive both during and after visiting with animals. Many feel a sense of hope!

REASON TO LIVE:
I would like to point out that it is shown as people grow older, they thrive on having a reason to live, weather it is a pet to care for, or a vegetable garden to tend to, or having grandchildren that visit them and desire their company when parents can seem so busy and occupied nowadays. The same can be true for those who are dealing with illness. Showing people we care through our visits and that they bring us joy as well, can be a reason to live for some!

HEALTH BENEFITS!
Petting encourages use of hands and arms, stretching and turning. Not only are the benefits for our bodies but also for our minds, you will just feel happier! There is so much more read these articles and be amazed!

Here are a few articles and other resources ( Delta also has other specific articles relating to families, children, seniors, and more.

1. Study Results: Stress in Pet Owners and Non-Pet Owners by Jill Kraus
    

2. Feature Article: Developing a Physiology of Inclusion: Recognizing the Health Benefits of Animal Companions. by James Lynch.
    

3. Healthy Reasons to Have a Pet (Fact Sheet). Updated!
    

4. The Healthy Pleasure of Their Company, by Karen Allen (part of Companion Animals in the Community).
    

5. Recent Discoveries About Our Relationships with the Natural World, by Leo Bustad.
    

6. Coping with Life Changes & Transitions: The Role of the Pet, by Karen Allen.
    

7. Loneliness: A Health Hazard of Modern Times, by Susan L. Duncan.
    

8. Studies of Loneliness & Recent Research into the Effects of Companion Animals, by Andrea Leigh Ptak.
    

9. Recent Studies on How the Presence of Pets Affects People During Life Transitions, by Ann Howie.
    

10. The Role of Pets in the Social Networks of Children, Adolescents, and Elderly People , by June McNicholas and Glyn M. Collis
     

11. Are Pets a Healthy Pleasure? The Influence of Pets on Blood Pressure. Allen, K. Current Directions in Psychological Science. Dec 2003; 12(6):236-9

Bibliography
Health Benefits of Animals Bibliography

Can other kinds of pets participate?

Yes, most domestic animals can be suitable for visiting, although dogs are the most common. The essential elements will be the same. There are certain qualities to look for in a therapy pet, which we will see here:

What makes a good therapy dog?

Being Social:

Visiting dogs must be social, meaning he enjoys being with people. A lot of this comes from the temperament they are born with, and some comes from training and the way they are raised. The point of the program is the interaction between the dog and the people you are visiting. If the dog does not enjoy the visit, the people will sense this and the interaction will be less fruitful. A doggie rejection for example could hurt more than help the visit and may leave the person feeling sad rather than happy. The person needs to feel loved and accepted by the dog. A good therapy dog is calm, tolerant and friendly. Never try to force a dog to do therapy work. Even dogs have different personalities and all have been raised differently and thus may be less apt for this work. A well socialized happy, healthy puppy, with lots of opportunity for training and interaction with the outside world usually grows up to be a good candidate for therapy work. However, not all pups have the good fortune to be raised in this way. I try to take our pups very early for their first visits to nursing homes, usually right after their puppy shots. Puppies are usually a highlight of the day! After a few visits I can usually see which pups will grow up suited for this work.

This 9 week old pup, is visiting Elizabeth at her nursing home, and already shows great promise.
He is calm and gentle and sat with her a good long time. They both enjoyed every minute!

Training:

Visiting dogs must be polite. This is where some training comes in handy, since dogs naturally think all humans want to be jumped on and licked and so on. Just as it is rude for one person to touch another without permission, A polite dog does not touch a person unless invited. How would you react if some stranger on the street walked up to you and kissed you? The balance between calmness, and friendliness is a difficult one to find. Not all my dogs are good at visiting. Even the best trained dog may seem aloof to visits, and may cause rejection. An overly excited and friendly dog may cause injury or be rude to those who do not like dogs, and there are people who do not like dogs and do not want to be touched by them.

Please remember, all the training in the world is great but desire is usually something they are born with. The temperament they are born with gives them this unique gift and ability to help others. We can take credit for their training, but their heart and soul comes from God and I am grateful to Him for giving us these precious dogs.

There are good tests to take to see if your dog has the basics:

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN PROGRAM:  www.akc.org
The AKC Canine Good Citizen Test is a good preliminary check to see if your dog is a good candidate for visitations. Passing it however does not mean you are ready, but NOT passing it certainly does mean your dog needs more basic training to ensure a polite therapy dog future.
Started in 1989, CGC is a certification program that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community. The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. All dogs who pass the 10-step CGC test may receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club.

Many dog owners choose Canine Good Citizen training as the first step in training their dogs. The Canine Good Citizen Program lays the foundation for other AKC activities such as obedience, agility, tracking, and performance events. As you work with your dog to teach the CGC skills, you'll discover the many benefits and joys of training your dog. Training will enhance the bond between you and your dog. Dogs who have a solid obedience education are a joy to live with-they respond well to household routines, have good manners in the presence of people and other dogs, and they fully enjoy the company of the owner who took the time to provide training, intellectual stimulation, and a high quality life.

PET PARTNERS PROGRAM: www.deltasociety.org
This is a program Delta offers to provide training for people and their dogs. It was begun in 1990 and ensures that “both ends of the leash” people as well as the animal are well prepared to participate in animal assisted activities and therapy. Pet Partners is the only National Registry that requires volunteer training and screening of animal and handler teams. Over 900,000 people are helped each year through this program which operates in all 50 states and in 4 other countries with over 800,000 pet partner teams!

Getting involved

If you are interested in getting involved in visiting with your dog, you will need more information. You will need to consider your dog's personality, temperament and behavior. Work with your dog in encountering unusual sights, sounds and smells.

Visiting with people we don’t know can be very unpredictable, the noises of a large group of children might be strange to your dog, and the movements of the handicapped might take him off guard, or a wheelchair may scare him at first, we can never know. By joining a group you can take advantage of insurance, and get help evaluating your dog.

I have found this site to be most helpful in showing us what steps to take to get involved:
http://www.dogplay.com/pagelist.html ( scroll down to therapy and see the steps you might take to become involved)

For me the first step was taking lots of walks with my dog and letting every passer by pet my dog if they so desired. I asked my dog to sit calmly and let himself be petted by young kids and adults alike. I also took the opportunity to teach kids how to approach and pet a dog with respect.

Look for opportunities that happen along:

I’ll never forget, one day I was walking at the beach, there was a large group of patients from a mental health institution sitting quietly looking at the ocean. One wanted to pet my dog, and before I knew it, my dog was passed around to every person for their turn for a pet and cuddle. All went well and my doggie proved to be a good therapy dog!

I think under normal circumstance if my dog was not with me, I may not even have spoken or approached them, as we tend to be scared or uncertain of unknown reactions of people with mental health disabilities. So I thank God that this little doggie opened the door and helped me to get over my fears!

MY HOPE:

My hope is that all this information and some of the stories will help and encourage you too to get out and share your pet with others. Even if visiting in nursing homes for example is not your thing, you can at least go on more walks and share the love every step of the way!

Even training your pet to do simple basic obedience can make your pet a more pleasant and obedient member of our society!

Let’s all work together, to make the world a better and brighter place!


“…love never fails.”
(I Corinthians 13)