Okay, not all articles relating to human services work have to be somber, this is a fun one. No matter what you think of it, pet therapy is well-established and here to stay.
This article profiles a child therapist who includes her two dogs as a part of the therapeutic environment. These aren't your typical dogs, and not your typical therapist, either. Together, they seek to console children who have been traumatized or otherwise troulbed in some manner.
- What do you think about the use of animals in therapy?
- Why do dogs constitute the majority of pet therapy animals?
- How does pet therapy work, and how does it differ from other forms of pscyhotherapy?
- Has a pet in your own life had a therapeutic benefit for youself?
Giant poodles save the dayUnleash your opinions by sharing a comment on this blog entry!
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/stark-jim-rita-2259529-says-poodle#
-Jeff
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5 comments:
I think the use of animals in therapy is wonderful. Especially dogs, they can be very sweet. Most children love dogs. As a child I really loved dogs. Anytime there was a dog around I would always want to touch it. I think it’s great that the therapist has her dogs there to help the children feel more comfortable. It’s extremely hard to work with children in broken families. I think it helps the child relax when there is a pet around. The giant poodles look so friendly. I have 3 dogs. Whenever I’m feeling down I could be them. They actually help me in many ways. There’s times when I get angry about situations I’m in, I just spend time with my dogs and then it calms me down. I could say that they help relieve my stress at times. They make me happy. I love my dogs I don’t know what I would do without them. It’s nice to have their company. Dogs will never ague with you. They’re just there to be your friend. I could say it definitely benefits me in having dogs. I always look forward in seeing them.
I just saw a bumper sticker on a car the other day, and it was so clever I decided to include it here. The sticker said:
"Lord, help me to become the person my dog thinks I am."
Our dogs (and any pet, for that matter) are almost completely dependent upon us for the duration of their lives. They depend upon us for nurturance, exercise, companionship, even comfort. I know that my dog will be waiting for me at the front door upon my return every day, as excited as if I were gone a year.
Our dog also shows genuine emotional pacing with us... he understands when we are playful, in pain, or low energy.
Sometimes he also will engage us to play with him and any of his several favorite toys. No matter how long the work day, or how many troubling demands cloud my mind, I find that his joy in simple play is instantly and easily contagious.
I guess a pet is therapeutic even without specialized training.
I am a huge fan of the use of dogs in psychotherapy. Most dogs have a nice even temperament and have such a positive impact on people (assuming there are no fears or allergies). Many people describe feelings of joy or calmness when dogs are around. This is incredibly beneficial during therapy. I actually consider my own dog to be a form of therapy for myself. Especially during times of distress or unhappiness, I find that cuddling or petting my dog makes me feel more at peace and calm. Our family brought home our first dog about three years ago, and I cannot imagine living without a dog in our home now. I think dogs are best suited for therapy becuase they are predictable and most often easily trained. They are very loyal creatures and seem to be in tune with the needs of humans. They are definitely a great tool in helping people feel more comfortable to talk and open up.
This story is so heartwarming and uplifting – it makes me smile all the way through. In the past, I have read news article and seen news clips relating to this subject of using animals, particularly dogs, in therapy and I think it’s a great idea. Dogs constitute the majority of pet therapy animals because they can be well trained, disciplined and have the temperament to be around people and work for an extended time. Dogs are social, loyal, dedicated, disciplined, loving and can be gentle. I just can’t see any cat being able or willing to sit in one place for 10mins, let alone 30 minutes. It is for these same reasons, that dogs are used by the police, military, search and rescues services, the blind, and so on. I just remember a joke I once heard about the difference between dogs and cats. It goes something like this. You feed a dog, put a roof over its head and love it. The dog looks up at you and thinks, “Ah, you must be God.” You do the same for a cat. You feed it, put a roof over its head and love it. And the cat thinks, “Ah, I must be God.” Ha, ha, ha….
Pet therapy work because animals, particularly dogs, can help break down people’s defense walls and help them to become more relax, comfortable and open up more to the therapist. The animal can help therapist and client build rapport and connect most of the bridges (lack of communication, lack of comfort, lack of trust) between and client and the therapist. Like the article says, “Most of her patients are kids; kids who have been through the wringer and have an easier time trusting giant poodles than humans.”
I have been aware of the therapeutic benefits a pet can bring to one’s life and have been thinking of getting a small dog but have yet to convince my husband to get on board with the plan. Either of us grew up having pets, so we’re apprehensive about the responsibilities of owing and caring for a pet. However, I tend to get anxious and get depressed now and then; in addition, I spend too much time on the computer and watch too much television and not exercising enough, getting a dog will help me to be more relax and motivate me to be more active – like playing with the dog and taking it out for daily walks. That’s why I plan to finish most of the big unfinished projects in our condo this summer and adopt a small dog from the shelter by October of this year. If it’s meant to be – we’ll have a dog before the end of 2009. Ahh…I feel relax and happy already just thinking about this.
I think I would have been a much more willing client if my counslours had dogs when the courts made me and my parents go to counseling. I love animals and I know they have a calming affect on me. Kids gravitate to dogs and other animals naturally anyways, so why wouldn't they enjoy some attention from a furry friend while discussing their home and personal issues? I think dogs are the perfect therapy companion because they always need human interaction, unlike cats who many times do not even want your attention, just for you to feed them. Dogs are also easy to train and can be trained to do many different tricks or just obedience. I have a boxer and my ex-husband used to say "You love Pin Head (my boxer), more then you love me". My response "Pin Head is always happy to see me, always greets me at the door when I come home from work, always wants my attention and doesn't complain". It's true my dog is never happier then when he is sitting on the couch with his head in my lap watching T.V. with me. Just the act of petting him is relaxing to both me and him. Animals have a calming affect on many people and they don't talk back!
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