Pets as Therapy....could you spare any time?

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sarahdante

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So, we went for our first visit, to a local care home that looks after elderly people with dementia.

I was not expecting to be so moved, I worked in a care home as a teenager and kind of knew all about the sights and smells and sounds.

The pup was a pro. Like he was born to do it. I have tears welling up typing

The residents were so excited to see him, many of them had had to give up their own dogs when they were admitted. One gentleman was telling me he had had to part with 2 Great Danes as he was unable to care for them by himself after his wife died. Another had returned after the war t find his parents had cared for his springer spaniel all the time he was away, he said he had never forgotten the day he came home. I found it all very emotional.

Charlie was a little bit nervous to begin with. He soon got the hang of lifting his head so people could stroke him, he didn't try to rest his paw on anyone or knock too much over with his huge waggy tail The Great Dane man didn't want him to go, just kept kissing him and letting Charlie gently lick his hand.

He went to say hello to an obviously very poorly lady and she broke into the most amazing smile, she then (unbeknowns to me at the time) spoke her first words for months...the staff were totally overwhelmed, as am I now.

It truly is worthwhile. I feel humbled to have been in the presence of so many lovely people to whom a few minutes with my dog made such a difference to their day

If you get a chance, or have an hour or so a fortnight, so worth looking into. I never expected to be so deeply moved...
 
this is something really close to home and after getting my first dog it is something id love to be involved in however our dog is lovely natured but barks at everyone he doesnt know until hes had a sniff and realised they arnt monsters id love to train him sohe is able to do something like this :) x
 
This is so timely - yesterday I owned my little rescue for 6 months, and have signed her up as a PAT dog, just waiting to hear back.
 
I would LOVE to do this with my choccy lab but he has the tendency to paw when he meets people because in his mind everyone should and will give him food! he has scratched me a couple of times so dont think he would be suitable :( such a good cause I just wish he didnt love food so bloody much!!
 
Thanks so much for posting this, and well done to you and your pup!

I think my lurcher could be a perfect candidate for a PAT dog, the JRT not so much as she is too excitable. I'm going to get in touch with the local co-ordinator this weekend and take it from there!
 
The PAT dogs are fantastic :)
I saw one while I was on hospital suffering with short term memory loss and it's one of the things that really stood out and really cheered me up!
 
It is amazing the affect a friendly animal can have! PAT dogs are fantastic therapy for the elderly. It's a great thing to be involved in, well done you, as you've found, you get something out of it as well.
 
Well done you. My eldest are pat dogs as well as champion show and obedience dogs!
My mother is dying in a hospice at the moment and they let me take all three big dogs in: it's the only thing she takes pleasure in now and I always take them to the other residents too! Think the nurses were a little taken back by three sight hounds but they know them now.
 
My springer is far too excitable to be a PAT dog :( But I have a friend whos cocker spaniel qualified as a PAT dog at 9 months old. He's 2 now and does most of his work with adults who have physical and/or learning disabilities. He sometimes goes to old people's homes too and last Christmas day he went visiting people in hospital :)
 
I would love to do this with Dinky . . . she truly is the issueless dog and is so unbelievably friendly and affectionate (she's a border collie/springer/something else cross). Will fill in the form . . . it would give us both so much joy/pleasure.

Thank you.

P
 
I think my dog would be great for this, very friendly, calm, not paw lifting and not really licky. Do they let big dogs do it? As in rottie x gsds?!
 
Stencil face that's just what I was wondering!! Mine is pure rott but the most gentle natured dog ever with people (he will growl at other dogs) I wonder if he could do this? Might apply and see.
 
well done, you!!! What a great idea. My nan's best friend passed away last weekend, aged 98. She was a lovely lady, and my kids called her nana kitty. She was in a nursing home for the last two years, and I know she would have loved the chance to have any contact with animals in her last years. Must see if there is something similiar here in Ireland, would be great to get involved with. Thanks for posting, I think you have ignited something in alot of people, and hopfully lots of older folk will benefit. xx
 
My eldest dog (now living with his grandparents due to my full-time job and him being a bit sickly) would be fantastic for this. He is loved by everyone. People even bought dogs after babysitting him!

It must be fantastic to brighten up other people's lives like this.
 
tasel said:
My eldest dog (now living with his grandparents due to my full-time job and him being a bit sickly) would be fantastic for this. He is loved by everyone. People even bought dogs after babysitting him!

It must be fantastic to brighten up other people's lives like this.
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I never believed it would have such a profound effect on me...please even if you half think it might be for you, give it a go...
 
Honey08 said:
What kind of assessment do they do on the dog? There is a centre quite near to me, so I will look into it. Thanks for posting this.x
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Things they are hot on are: walking to heel (no choke chains or slip leads allowed, only a plain leather or webbing collar), being able to sit still while conversation and distractions are going on around, no reaction to sudden noise or movement, taking a treat gently (and I mean GENTLY)...only when I got in did I realise how frail some of these people are...ummmm, think that was the main focus, will try and dig out the paperwork and check if anything else was vital. Size, shape, breed, colour not important. I guess a Great Dane might be tricky due to size of rooms, but sure there would be an assignment that would suit. ;)
 
We looked into volunteering one of our dogs as a therapy dog & got told we would need to register & jump through plenty of other hoops AT OUR OWN EXPENSE which completely put us off. Surely, if we are prepared to volunteer time & our dog for a good cause, they should take care of the financial cost of registration at least?
 
Love this idea, I visited care home for adult with learning disabilities. The guy I was talking to loved the dog that came in to visit it was all he wanted to talk about. It was lovely brought a tear to my eye such a fantastic idea.
 
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