Petting-Pups
There are many terms used to describe ways in which animals can help rehabilitate and heal persons with special needs. These include "pet therapy," "pet facilitated therapy," or "animal-assisted therapy." Pets can help people with a variety of mental, emotional and physical disabilities. Pets can have positive effects on residents of long-term care facilities. Interest in surroundings, mental health, activity, social interaction and communication are often improved.
Many people find it easier to bond to an animal than to other people. The safety in this bonding can lead the way to the development of similar relationships with other people. Loving an animal is not threatening and can quickly heal any emotional scars on the human heart.
Pet therapy visitations can fulfill a very important need for the elderly. So many people have to part with their pets when they go into nursing homes and assisted living centers. Many of them become withdrawn and depressed. On many occasions, visits changed the lives and improved the happiness of the elderly in institutions. It gives them a point of communication, and it has been proved and well documented that physical contact with a pet is therapeutic. An inherent trait in humans is the need for attachment to others. Visiting teams provide that attachment. When a patient looks at a dog, strokes him and talks to him, the blood pressure goes down, temperature decreases and a sense of well-being increases.
The guidelines set by the AKC for their Canine Good Citizen testing is the basis for our pet therapy program (Petting-PUPS). Dogs and their owners go through eight educational sessions learning everything from canine communication to basic obedience, to how to handle their dogs in a variety of situations. These teams are tested and then sent out to do six months of “on-the-job” training (minimum of two visitations per month) visiting nursing home and assisted care facility residents. Once completing all the requirements, the teams become certified Petting-PUPS therapy teams.
If you have interest in becoming a certified Petting-PUPS team with your dog, please email info@domesti-pups.org