Therapeutic Visitation Dogs - chasing the blues away

A mega shout-out to that awesome therapeutic visitation dog, Bear!

Bear was my first experience with a friend's pooch being a "therapy dog" at local hospitals & senior centers.

On days like this, when the sidewalks are slippery & the temperatures here, outside of Philadelphia, are hovering in the teens, am imagining that a visit from such a heart wrapped in fur would be perfect.

Bear is a "canine health care provider" - in spades!  His presence would provide more benefits than I can list.  Chief among them is the connection to a totally non-judgmental being, the feel of his warm fur under a hand, the compassionate look on his face.  

Although Bear is too big to settle down on a patient's bed, he's tall enough to rest his head on a bedside, welcoming a lingering rub.  

I am a cat person, yet I know the comfort I'd get from a dog like Bear.  There is something about certain dogs that reduces stress & tension.  All I have to do is see Bear in the distance & I immediately smile.  He makes me feel like he considers me a friend.

Friendship is especially important to the elderly.  Bear, and other dogs like him, exude an aura of friendship.  

As I write this, am imagining myself in the apartment or hospital room of an elderly friend just as the door opens and Bear & Juliet walk in - can feel the shift of energy in the room, the spike of happiness on seeing that dear face.  Suddenly, even someone who might not have friends or family within miles feels connected to another soul.  What a priceless gift!

While I could write endlessly about the value of therapeutic visitation dogs to the elderly, Steve Reiman's excellent article, Therapy Dogs in the Long-Term Health Care Enviroment, sums up the primary benefits:

• Bringing joy and laughter to daily life, which in later years is often uneventful
• Giving the person something to do, talk about and think about, other than him or herself
• Providing a source of touch and affiliation
• Heightening self confidence, esteem, and a sense of achievement
• Increasing communication between elderly residents and neighbors
• Helping newcomers meet new friends
• Boosting overall morale
• Stimulating exercise and activity
• Helping people cope with illness, loss, and depression.
• Lowering stress levels
• Encouraging communication
• Reminding them of their own pets

Three boisterous BARKs! and a major tail wag to BEAR & all the other wonderful therapy dogs & animal companions who help the elderly &
 youngers, like me, chase away the winter blues!