Dog Therapy -- Challenges and Benefits Nancy M. Hibiske

The challenge of working with a therapy dog has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Raider, my 105 pound yellow Lab/Golden Retriever mix, was certified as a therapy dog through Therapy Dogs International, Inc. in February 1998. We have been making weekly therapy visits to nursing homes and hospital since July1998.

Raider’s title of Therapy Dog differs from a service dog in that Raider provides only emotional support by allowing residents to pet and interact with him. He does not assist in physical therapy sessions, pull wheelchairs or lead patients.

Dog therapy work centers around the dog’s temperament and training. Temperament is the instinctual way an animal reacts to a situation. Training is the animals’ ability to follow requests from a human. A therapy dog must have the temperament to naturally handle very stressful situations and the obedience training to follow a handler’s requests.

Together, Raider and I have experienced the highs and lows of therapy visits. We have seen tired eyes light up with delight. We have heard patients speak the first words they have uttered in months. We have lost some of our patients. Raider has been hugged, kissed and stepped on. Each visit brings new and challenging experiences. Respirators, wheelchairs, walkers and oxygen tanks challenge a therapy dog’s ability.

Therapy work can be very stressful on dogs. Raider is closely monitored for signs of stress and we take frequent breaks outside. Because I work closely with all four of my dogs in dog sports such as agility, tracking, dog sledding and weight pulling, I know my dog’s limitations and stress signs.

According to archeological evidence, dogs and humans have lived together for thousands of years. Throughout these years dogs have been our companions, our guardians, our friends and one of our greatest health benefits. In the early 1980’s, Aaron Katcher MD at the University of Pennsylvania found a relationship between pet owners and lower blood pressure. Pet food manufacturers brought this piece of evidence to the public via television and radio to extol the benefits of pet ownership.

Most people are attracted to animals. Notice the next movie you watch or magazine you read. Notice how animals draw your attention on the screen or the page. They sell everything from tacos and vacuums to beer and sport utility vehicles. They are a part of the family. They provide unconditional love and the ability to encourage communication and touch which makes animals an excellent therapy tool.

Raider provides people he visits with emotional benefits that are difficult to measure. When we walk into a facility, Raider grabs the attention of staff and residents alike. Staff members brighten at the entrance of the big yellow dog. Hopefully we make the staff’s job just a little more enjoyable by coming in to provide interaction for the residents.

Social stimulation is a noticeable benefit of therapy dog visits. Family and friends sometimes find conversation difficult when visiting the hospital or nursing home. The presence of a dog initiates all kinds of comments and questions. Memories of past pets come forth and conversation becomes animated. Frequently the conversations continue as Raider and I leave the room. A visit from the big yellow dog provides residents with an unusual tale to tell future visitors.

Maintaining good morale can be difficult in some facilities. Petting a loving, accepting animal builds confidence in people. Animals do not shy away from physical deformities and defects. Instead, a good therapy dog will walk up to a resident and request attention. This acceptance gives a boost to self-esteem and provides a much-needed certification of acceptance. Residents lose their sense of abandonment and isolation when a dog willing walks up to them for attention. Petting a dog can provide a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.

Research can provide us with facts and figures of how therapy dogs assist the people they visit. Doctors and nurses can validate the benefits of such visits. I have witnessed first hand the joys and successes of my visits with Raider. Watching people smile and reach to pet Raider’s broad back is all the validation I need.