Happy Pet Blog

Ruth’s passions are people and pet health. She is very active with dog therapy visiting. She first became involved in this work when visiting a friend in the hospital. A beautiful Golden Retriever silently walked into the room and instantly brought comfort to Ruth’s friend. That was Tasha. Tasha and her owner became Ruth’s mentor.

What is dog therapy visiting? A team consists of a handler, and a happy, excited dog ready to go visiting. Although these special canine therapists are all shapes and sizes, pure breeds and those wonderful mutts, they share a single purpose: to bring happiness and comfort to the sick or disabled or lonely. These wonderful serviceanimals make every person they visit feel special. I know that my own dog Benny, a black lab, loved visiting. I mean his tail went into “propeller” mode as soon as we pulled into the parking lot of our “home”.

It has been well documented that unconditional love given by therapy animals play an important role in reducing stress, boosting self-esteem, and decreasing recovery time. And, they help some of our older “friends” deal with lonliness and loss.

What is a therapy dog or therapy pet?

“Visiting Pets” “Therapy Dogs” “Therapy Pets” are just some of the names given to describe programs in which animals help people just by visiting with them.

Research has shown that heart attack victims who have pets live longer. Pets have an amazing positive effect on many people.

I read about the following study, and cannot help but to share it with you: A study of 92 patients hospitalized in coronary care units for angina or heart attack found that those who owned pets were more likely to be alive a year later than those who did not. The study found that only 6 percent of patients who owned pets died within one year compared with 28 percent of those who did not own pets

Petting a dog has been shown to lower blood pressure. When my husband was in therapy for many months, I always brought one of our dogs with me when visiting. All the patients loved my dogs.
Bringing a pet into a nursing home or hospital can boost peoples’ moods and enhance their social interaction. I know this for sure. I visit with two dogs myself. Benny and Nikki.

A study conducted at UCLA found that dog owners required much less medical care for
stress-induced aches and pains than non-dog owners.

Add years to your life, own a pet! Or, visit with a pet, and give someone more
quality in their life.

What Type of Pet? Visiting pets are dogs and cats.

I belong to Therapeutic Paws of Canada with my dog. However, most other establishments are run the same way; basically offering the same types of services.

Dogs have to pass an obedience test before they are registered. This test is not hard, but deals basically with control, character and behavior. NOT like in obedience classes. A well behaved dog will pass. Also, of course, your dog must love people. If not, this program is NOT for your dog.

Do an internet search for establishments in your area. Then, get the information you need to see if this is for you. I love this work! And so does my Benny and Nikki.

At Therapeutic Paws of Canada 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 their programme on the day-to-day life of each senior throughout the community and beyond cannot be calculated.

Let me end on a very sad, but meaningful example.

I listen to a radio station that once a year has a big blitz to collect money for the Sick Children’s Hospital. This year the radio station interviewed a lady with her therapy dog. This dog visits in the hospital. And one day one young child, about 5 years old was dying. That child requested in her last moments to have her therapy dog by her side. And of course, the dog did come, after cutting through some red tape to be allowed in the room. Therapy dogs make a difference; and you can let it happen too. “It’s probably the most rewarding volunteer thing I can do.”

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