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List of all Articles in Animals
Here you can browse through a list of all the article titles in this category, or maybe search for an article that you have seen before and want to read again.
If you can't find what you're looking for here then why not try our related categories section.
Blessing of the Animals in October
Each October, my dog and I participate in one of the nicest celebrations a pet and owner can share - the Blessing of the Animals, a Catholic tradition that is duplicated by other denominations. Don't worry, I'm not going to try to convert...
Dog Food - Which Diet is Best for Dogs?
Why The Food You Give Your Dog Matters! If you're like most dog owners, you probably assume that commerical dog foods with brand names that are easily identifiable - Purina, Iams, Pedigree, etc. - must be good for your pets, right? After all,...
Dog Supplies: What’s Needed Versus What Might Be Fun to Have
Buying a new dog is more than simply finding the cutest puppy in the store and buying a bag of dog food. Acquiring a new canine is nearly as important as adopting a child. They need constant attention and love and buying the proper supplies can be...
Dog training issues - refusing to come when called
Many dog owners fail to recognize the importance of having a dog
that comes when called until there is a problem, such as the
collar or leash breaking, or the dog tearing free to chase a
person or another animal. These situations can be dangerous...
Shih Tzu - Introducing A New Shih Tzu Puppy To Your Household
Bringing home a new shih tzu puppy is always an exciting time
for the entire family. Getting that new shih tzu puppy off the
right start with proper training is very important to making
that shih tzu puppy a valued member of his human family....
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Benny Goes Home
This has been one of the most rewarding adventures I have ever volunteered to do.
First, let me tell you just a little bit about my two dogs, a short little Bio on each. There are pictures on my dog therapy page.
Benny, my black lab, is about 5 years old now. (I never seem to remember exactly how old he is.) Benny is a wonderful dog (even though he likes to steal my pillows). He loves visiting our friends in the home. Clearly, this is where he loves to be.
Then there is Nikki, my 2 year golden puppy. Nikki is a typical 2 year golden. She is full of life. She keeps me hopping. And, just like Benny, she brings pure gold to our friends.
It has been an extremely busy summer so far. Unfortunately, with work demanding more and more of my time, and with home issues demanding more and more of my time, my volunteering has lapsed this summer. This has created a void in me.
The one thing I have learned about this situation is how much I love the dog therapy visiting programs.
Benny has been a visiting dog for a number of years now. We have always gone to the same home, so we have made many wonderful friends.
Well, after my "sabbatical" I went and took Benny to see our senior friends last Saturday Night. This was an unscheduled visit. I could have cried. They were so very happy to see him again (not me so much). We had a "Benny" party in the lobby.
What a wonderful time my Benny had. Of course! Everyone was petting him, and talking to him. Wow, he was being treated like royalty. A true friend come home.
It was just great to see this joy. We all talked and laughed and joked. Everyone talked about their summer, how they were doing, what was going on in their own world. I felt better then I had for a long time. My new resolve is to go back to my weekly visits. I do not want to miss out on these opportunities anymore.
So, my advice, as always is: If you have the inclination to visit with seniors, if you have a dog that loves to be petted, a dog that loves the human touch, then please go to your local Dog Therapy Group and find out how you can join this wonderful work. It is not difficult to get your dog certified.
The three most well known organizations that offer certification; Delta Society, Therapy Dog International and Therapy Dogs, Inc.
There are other therapy organizations and you may find an organization in your area via the internet under dog therapy, pet therapy or animal assisted therapy.
And, for us Canadians, there is, Therapeutic Paws of Canada (my dogs belong to this wonderful group). They offer a volunteer based therapy dog and cat visitation program for senior’s facilities such as retirement homes, nursing homes, Alzheimer day away centers, hospitals and where there is a need. The medical establishment has long recognized the significant benefits of a therapy dog and cat program. The petting and stroking of a pet helps to calm the most agitated resident and stimulates wonderful conversations about the pet they once owned. Recovery from surgery is quoted as being accelerated when there is continued contact with a pet.
As a result of the many government fiscal cutbacks, the facility’s staff is stretched to their limits. The positive impact of our programme on the day-to-day life of each senior throughout our community and beyond cannot be calculated.
There are more links on my personal dog therapy page:
About the Author
My name is Ruth Bird, and I am the owner of 3 dogs, 2 are Registered Therapy Visiting Dogs, my third dog is blind. My passions are health for people and pets and promoting a happy, healthy and wealthy lifestyle.
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