You know the therapy dogs are around by the gathering of people and the excitement in the air. Though the intended recipients of therapy dog visits are patients, the visitors, family members, and staff all benefit from their presence. A hospital visit is often unexpected, inconvenient, and stressful. Dogs represent so much to those in a hospital environment. They represent “home”, which may be so far away; they represent unconditional love for those who are all alone here; they represent acceptance in spite of disability or disfigurement, and they represent comfort that surpasses that which humans or a medicine can provide. A patient, who hasn’t responded, suddenly will show interest in a dog. A patient who has kept emotions bottled up finally lets them flow in the presence of a dog. A patient who feels like giving up is encouraged because of a dog. Families holding bedside vigils can step away to cuddle with a dog and be reminded that life does go on. Visitors, feeling awkward and not knowing what to say, are suddenly put at ease by the presence of a dog. Patients, families, visitors, and staff are eager to see them come and always ask when they’ll be returning. Therapy dogs are invaluable for their impact on spiritual and emotional health, both which influence physical health. They and their handlers are an important part of the health care team and play a valuable role in healing.
Charlotte Noonan- Director of volunteer services, Avera Mckennan
Please see the comment below. I told you how important your work is to our patients. Words are hard to find to express our gratitude, so a simple “Thank you” will have to do. Please share with your colleagues and of course the beautiful dogs. J
Colleen Weber, R.N.
Manager, Child and Adolescent Behavior Health
Avera Behavior Health Center
I feel so fortunate that I was able to on the unit during the visit with the therapeutic dogs. The kids responded so positively to the experience. One was very sullen and not speaking earlier that morning. After the dogs visited it was easy to ease a conversation out of him, first talking about the dogs, asking which was his favorite, finally leading into more in depth conversations about his feelings. I believe the visit from the dogs really turned his day around...and it lasted until bedtime.
I would vote for more visits from the dogs. It was great to see the happiness and pleasure they brought to this unit.
Amy
Senior Citizens have “Gone to the Dogs!”
Last year (2007) as the summer months passed by, our assisted living center was given the opportunity to receive monthly visits from a group of four-legged animals, who quickly became our friends. One of our hospital staff members has a Great Dane who is a certified pet therapy dog. Through our connections with this staff member, we were able to meet Toby and have come to love him as he made a big hit with our residents. Toby and his friends visits especially helped our residents to forget about their pains and sadness for varying reasons by engulfing them with his hugeness and all of the dogs wonderful characters.
The first day the dogs came to visit the residents at Hiawatha Heights, they were greeted by the residents waiting on the patio. Some of the residents seemed to blossom as they reached out to pet the dogs of various sizes; Toby being larger than some of the residents in stature. These visits brought out memories and reminiscing from the residents’ past relationships with their own dogs/animals and how smart their pets were – especially what good friends they had become to their owners.
From the first day of the pet therapy dogs’ visits, certain residents would be the first ones out of their apartments to greet the dogs when it was announced “the dogs are here.” If the weather was cool or unfriendly, the residents would gather in the living room or their own apartments to visit with the loving and well-trained, obedient furry creatures. Actually, the dogs were receiving “people therapy” along with giving of their love and compassion to the residents!
We who work at the assisted living would like to think that the residents’ days have been happier and for those who have passed on since this program first began, I, for one, believe there are dogs with them in Heaven.
Sorry! Gotta go! the dogs are here !!!!
Sandy Thomas
Activities Coordinator, Hiawatha Heights
