Dog Therapy

THERAPY DOGS

"HAVANESE make LOVE go round". The little Havanese is made for loving, and cuddles and kisses .....Often, we hear about the virtues of dog ownership. After a stress filled day, how wonderful it is to relax with your pup; perhaps a leisurely walk or a cuddle or a lively game of fetch. Just seeing or touching a dog can be beneficial to a persons health and has been proven to lower heart rate and blood pressure as well as lessening anxiety. Havanese are overflowing with love. Why not consider spreading some of that love around by becoming involved in a Therapy Dog Program. My two Havanese and I are active members of the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs. It is a very rewarding activity that the Havanese is well suited for. A good Therapy dog needs to be calm, gentle and friendly. These and other important traits come naturally to the Havanese. Dog Therapy consists of programs and organisations world wide that offer in-home or facility canine visits . Such friendly, cheerful visits can help lessen feelings of depression, loneliness and isolation. Dogs don't care about things like age, appearance or infirmity, but accept people as they are. Many residents of care facilities have had to give up their beloved pets and greatly miss the companionship and unconditional love. Regular visits give them the opportunity to share feelings and thoughts as well as to reminisce about the past. A short visit can have lasting benefits; many people remain more active and responsive long after we have gone. Weekly visits are eagerly anticipated by residents and staff alike and provide a sunny break from daily routine. Staff often take a moment for a brief hello and a pat, then continue on their way with a smile.

Havanese are well suited to visits in Seniors facilities and Nursing homes. Their small size is ideal for curling up on a lap or cuddling on a bed. The super soft fur is irresistible and just begs to be stroked. The fact that they don't shed is a bonus. Havanese are born clowns (easy to trick train) and love to show off and get attention. In our facility; many residents assemble in small sitting rooms and enjoy short trick shows followed by cuddles and kisses. A poorly responsive person can become quite animated and talkative. Joy and light shines in their eyes. In that moment; happiness is theirs, all made possible because of a tiny Havanese. Such reactions are heartwarming. Properly qualified dogs are welcomed at a number of facilities. The old attitudes that considered dogs unclean and unwanted visitors are slowly changing as more and more studies prove the benefits. Though some facilities do allow visits from non-certified handlers and dogs, being part of a program has benefits for all involved. Joining a group provides structure, guidance, proper evaluation and certification as well as insurance coverage. Therapy work is not for everyone. Is it for you? Consider sharing the love. The benefits are many and you will get back so much more than you give.

TESTING

Any well behaved healthy dog of sound temperament can become a therapy dog. Test requirements vary between organizations; some accept a basic CGC ( Canine Good Citizen Certificate) while others have a specific Therapy dog test. Tests evaluate the handlers control of the dog, basic good manners, as well as the dogs reaction to people and other dogs in a variety of situations and distractions. The tests may be similar, however, the Therapy test has additional elements that observe reactions and recovery to simulated nursing home/hospital situations.

CANINE GOOD CITIZEN TEST - 10 elements

1) Accepting a friendly stranger
2) Sitting politely for petting
3) Appearance and grooming
4) Walking on a loose leash
5) Walking through a crowd
6) Sit and Down on command ( stay in position till released)
7) Praise interaction ( to see how quickly dog can be calmed after excitement)
8) Reaction to another dog
9) Reactions to distractions ( noise and movement)
10)Supervised isolation ( stress evaluator)

THERAPY DOG TEST ( ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ) - 13 elements

1) Meeting and accepting petting from a friendly stranger
2) Walking on a loose leash - basic heeling pattern
3) Walking through a milling crowd (including walkers and/or wheelchairs)
4) Sit and Down on command
5) Praise interaction - ( to see how quickly dog can be calmed after excitement)
6) Reaction to meeting another dog
7) Accept petting from several people in a circle, one after the other, including persons with walkers, canes, crutches, hats, robes etc.
8) Reaction to completely unresponsive person
9) Accepting petting from multiple people all at the same time
10) Meeting and greeting person in a wheelchair
11) Accepting a treat from a stranger - must take it gently
12) Distraction - movement - ie)person walking by quickly
13) Distraction - noise - ie)bowls or cans being dropped

The dog will be observed in all the exercises. A dog may be tested twice. A dog will be failed for a number of reasons. Any display of aggression, viciousness, dominance, snarling or growling is an automatic failure. Resentment, extreme shyness and cowering are also signs that a dog may be unsuitable for therapy work. Pulling, jumping or straining on the control exercises are a failure. In some cases the failure is due to youthful exuberance or an inexperienced dog or handler. Before re-testing, these dogs will greatly benefit from obedience training, socializing and perhaps waiting a few more months for the dog to mature.

This is a typical visit for Rags and will give you an idea of some of the things that happen on therapy visits. We visit a seniors nursing home. Just as we arrive, I put on his therapy scarf. Then its in to the office to sign in and check with the activities coordinator for special events as well as any new residents or condition changes of our regulars. Of course, we must stop and say hi to everyone in the office. Then we start visiting. Rags first stop is one of the small breakfast rooms. Every week we catch the same 4 ladies just finishing breakfast. He pops up with one paw on a knee and cocks his head. Irresistible! They fall for it every time. They always have saved him some tiny tidbit. Some things I am adamant about refusing while others I allow: however I always control the portions. Some days he gets a crust of toast with peanut butter, or a bite of waffle or pancake or a spoonful of oatmeal and a slice of banana or maybe some scambled eggs. Next stop we do individual rooms, some for just a quick hello , others for longer visits. He knows exactly which residents allow him to hop on the beds and which ones keep dog biscuits in the night table for him. Food can be an issue. Many residents want to feed the dogs. He has even been offered peppermints, gum, cake and chocolate. The best way I have found around this is to bring my own treats. I bring a supply of Cheerios. They are tiny, not messy, easy to handle and he loves them. If residents insist on feeding, I just give them a couple to give him. The first floor is mainly mobile cognisant residents. That's where we start. Then its off to the second floor. Here we have poorly responsive and more senile people. We only visit a few here. With very little feedback, Rags can get quite stressed. This is followed up by a visit to the third floor residents are less mobile but still cognisant. As we get there, a music volunteer has just arrived to play for the residents who are assembled in a large sitting room. While she plays, Rags dances for the residents and does a few tricks, followed by hellos and cuddles for all who want it. Then he goes to sit on the piano bench. The music lady makes a big fuss over him and offers him her music book to let him select songs. With a paw or a nose he ALWAYS picks "How Much Is That Doggie", followed by "Bingo" and "Old MacDonald". The residents love it. By now about 1&1/2 hours has passed and we have visited about 30 residents plus numerous staff members. Rags waves a paw to everyone then back down in the elevator. At the door , his favourite resident is waiting. He pops up in her lap and she takes him for a wheelchair ride in the garden or down the halls. Then, sign out and our visit is over for another week.