Photo Karen Graham. Visits at Centennial Place are up front and personal when therapy dogs come to visit, where words are not required to communicate affection from all participants.
Does your dog love pats from anyone, or is it discriminating about whose hand strokes its head?
Affectionate canine therapists from East Central Therapy Dogs have been visiting hospital wards, long term care homes and VON Day Centres in Peterborough, Lakefield and Millbrook since 2002. The 48 (human) volunteers in this group currently visit a number of locations including Centennial Place, providing unconditional love to appreciative audiences who eagerly anticipate their weekly visits. The organization is a not-for-profit that is completely self-funding, raising cash through its annual calendar sales, which are used to purchase uniforms and leashes for the volunteers and provide the required insurance coverage for their clients. The function with the mandate of bringing the unconditional love of their dogs to their clients in long-term care, hospital wards, retirement residents and in VON Day Centres.
Photo Karen Graham.
There are currently four dogs visiting Centennial Place each week, ranging from little Lucy, who is small in stature but big in affection, to 176-pound Barnabus, a mastiff cross, whose quiet demeanor ensures that he is more endearing than intimidating. Copper is the longest serving canine at the long-term care home at the moment. He belongs to the family of his handler, Jack Armstrong, who looks after him during the day while Copper’s “people” are away at work and school. All of the dogs lap up the attention of residents, circulating among them to secure their attention.
There is no training for the therapy dogs, nor are there preferred breeds or other physical traits used in the dog selection process. The key attribute in an effective therapy dog is temperament, and this is the main screening criterion used in the testing process that identifies the candidates that are most suited to the task.
Therapy dogs must be calm, obedient and confident in a crowded, institutional setting. The testing puts the dogs through a temperament evaluation that simulates situations they might face on the job such as sudden loud noises, wheelchairs and white coats! The test includes twelve components to determine the dogs’ suitability based on their reactions. Can they be distracted by another dog? Will they stay close to their owners even in a milling crowd? Can they handle loud instructions from a stranger?
Therapy dogs provide the gift of unconditional love to their clients. Studies have shown that the simple act of petting a dog releases an automatic relaxation response, lowering blood pressure. They can reduce loneliness, stress and anxiety by providing an external focus of attention. In addition to alleviating signs of depression, they can reduce agitation in dementia patients and provide welcome distraction from institutional settings. Visits by these canine therapists can improve the quality of life for their clients while their handlers enjoy the satisfaction of making a difference in their community.
Photo Karen Graham.
Volunteers must be at least 19 years of age and commit to one visit per week at an assigned location. The continuity of this commitment builds friendships between the volunteers and the clients, which makes the experience even more rewarding for all involved. Handlers attend an orientation session and accompany an experienced volunteer before heading out on their own.
If you are interested in joining this group, visit their website www.ectd.ca, where you can learn more about the group and register for their next evaluation which is expected this month. The organization is always looking for new recruits! KG
