PRESS RELEASE: June 16, 2016
Therapy Dogs to Assist USA Swimming Athletes
De-Stress in Preparation for Biggest Meet in Four Years
As USA Swimming athletes get ready for their races with the highest stakes on the line, local pet therapy group Domesti-PUPS will provide nearly 2,000 competitors with a relaxing environment to help them prepare for their events.
From June 26-July 3 in Omaha, Neb., swimmers will compete for a coveted position on the national swim team that will represent America in August in Rio de Janeiro. For eight days, swimmers will battle to be among the top two finishers in their race to qualify for the world's largest sporting event. This is the only selection meet to determine the final team.
The pressure, disappointment, and judgment that professional athletes can face is often very trying; and pet therapy dogs can provide the athletes with some sort of release. Therapy dogs are commonly found visiting hospitals, classrooms, university campuses, courtrooms, and a number of other events and venues, where stress levels can be elevated.
"After reading about the benefits of therapy dogs, we wanted to bring in pet therapy teams to allow our athletes some companionship and comfort in what can be a stressful, competitive environment," said USA Swimming Programs & Services Manager Morgan Weinberg.
Scientific studies show that canine interaction increases a human's level of oxytocin, a hormone that reduces anxiety and blood pressure. Petting a dog helps people become less frightened, more secure and diverts their attention away from their own fears or anxieties.
"More and more people are realizing the true benefit of the human-animal bond, and athletes encounter a unique stress that we hope our therapy dogs will help with," says Michelle Ashley, Domesti-PUPS Executive Director. There will be 30 Domesti-PUPS pet therapy teams from Lincoln, Omaha and St. Joseph, Missouri, available to the athletes throughout the competition from June 26-July 3.
For more information about this event visithttp://www.usaswimming.org/trials
About Domesti-PUPS:
Domesti-PUPS is a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Lincoln, Nebraska. Satellite locations for pet therapy programs are also located in Omaha, Nebraska and St. Joseph, Missouri. Domesti-PUPS provides therapy dogs, service dogs for persons with disabilities, and trained rescue dogs.
Our mission is to improve the quality of life for persons with special needs through the assistance of animals, and to promote awareness through education.
From June 26-July 3 in Omaha, Neb., swimmers will compete for a coveted position on the national swim team that will represent America in August in Rio de Janeiro. For eight days, swimmers will battle to be among the top two finishers in their race to qualify for the world's largest sporting event. This is the only selection meet to determine the final team.
The pressure, disappointment, and judgment that professional athletes can face is often very trying; and pet therapy dogs can provide the athletes with some sort of release. Therapy dogs are commonly found visiting hospitals, classrooms, university campuses, courtrooms, and a number of other events and venues, where stress levels can be elevated.
"After reading about the benefits of therapy dogs, we wanted to bring in pet therapy teams to allow our athletes some companionship and comfort in what can be a stressful, competitive environment," said USA Swimming Programs & Services Manager Morgan Weinberg.
Scientific studies show that canine interaction increases a human's level of oxytocin, a hormone that reduces anxiety and blood pressure. Petting a dog helps people become less frightened, more secure and diverts their attention away from their own fears or anxieties.
"More and more people are realizing the true benefit of the human-animal bond, and athletes encounter a unique stress that we hope our therapy dogs will help with," says Michelle Ashley, Domesti-PUPS Executive Director. There will be 30 Domesti-PUPS pet therapy teams from Lincoln, Omaha and St. Joseph, Missouri, available to the athletes throughout the competition from June 26-July 3.
For more information about this event visithttp://www.usaswimming.org/trials
About Domesti-PUPS:
Domesti-PUPS is a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Lincoln, Nebraska. Satellite locations for pet therapy programs are also located in Omaha, Nebraska and St. Joseph, Missouri. Domesti-PUPS provides therapy dogs, service dogs for persons with disabilities, and trained rescue dogs.
Our mission is to improve the quality of life for persons with special needs through the assistance of animals, and to promote awareness through education.