Pet Assisted Therapy

Pet Assisted Therapy - What is Pet Assisted Therapy? In simple terms, it is one the most rewarding, energizing, educational activities that you will ever do with your dog.

Where do I start explaining the above statement:

Rewarding - our dogs are all special to us. They want to please us and do a great job of blending into our lives. They are very cleaver knowing when we not up to par; they do cute things to bring a smile to our faces - you know that feeling? Now take that same furry ball of love to someone that is hurting and feeling lousy - I have seen many a face turn from pain to a beautiful smile - their suffering, if only for a few minutes, disappears into the sight and/or feel of that nonjudgmental loving animal. Often not a word is said as the patient and dog bond. That bond is so much different than the normal bonding of our dog with us - when you see this relationship, you will know what I am talking about - your efforts will be rewarded.

Energizing - not often, but just once is enough - watch you dog walk up to an out-of-control patient and settle him / her down in just seconds; hear a gasp from a nurse as a patient speaks for the first time; see a patient struggling to walk take the dog's leash and start to walk - maybe not well but now with a reason. Yes, my dogs have been the catalyst to these and many more memorable events. When you see your dog understand the patients needs and move right in to take control of the situation, you get the adrenaline rush like nothing else - you have just had the greatest energy boost of your life.

Educational - when I started pet visitations sixteen years ago, I thought that I knew a great amount about dogs. Let it be known to all - I knew very little and still question my dog intelligence. Their awareness of the people (patients, patient's family, and hospital staff) is amazing - how these dogs know when they are wanted, they are not wanted, wanted but the human is afraid, sorrow, joy, hope, impending death. The greatest lesson that my dogs have taught me is - have faith in them and let them just do their job. As long as I do pet therapy, I will remain their chauffeur and respectful student.

Now lets face reality: pet therapy requires a lot of work and dedication; not every owner can participate in pet therapy; not every dog can participate.

Work and dedication - a therapy dog must be a very well trained dog. No, it doesn't need to have a UD but it must be controllable under any and all conditions. You don't need formal training above that required for a CD but you and your dog must feel secure and confident in all conditions - wheel chairs, walkers, irregular walking, thrashing, non-normal speech, loud sharp noises, screaming, multiple people at one time, taunting with food, ... My dogs are in training at all times, places, and conditions. You must be dedicated to carry out the commitment that you make (weekly, monthly, ...) People are counting on your dog showing up when you say you will - often the dog=s visit is more important than the patient's doctor. By the way, work is required prior to each visit - you must present a clean well groomed dog. Your work is also required during the visit - you must constantly be alert to all conditions around you - is there someone that does not want the dog, is there someone that does want the dog, are you in someone's way?

Not every owner can participate - above and beyond the above work and dedication, the owner must be prepared for some very touchy conditions - you are invited into a room where the family is in attendance with the patient just hours or minutes from death; you visit a small child with all sorts of tubes and wires; you visit a patient withering in pain and mad at the whole world; a patient that sees your dog and breaks out in tears remembering their deceased companion. I have had these occurrences and again many more heart wrenching conditions that I have had to face. In my case, my dogs have taken the lead and handled these conditions with sympathy and understanding leaving me a chance to take a deep breath. They become the ambassadors; I only the holder of the leash.

Not every dog can participate - will your small dog sit quietly in a patients lap; will your medium sized dog get on a chair to be at bed side height; will your big dog be gentle around the frail; will your dog be quiet and calm? Do you know what upsets your dog? You must know and trust your dog under any and all conditions.

With my comments on owner and dog participation, I would like to add that my main contact with pet therapy has been in hospitals and elder care homes. There is a limited call for pet therapy visitations where the dogs visit able body people like boys and girls homes. Here your dog must be much more active and solid. You must know yourself and limitations, you must know your dog and its limitations.

One major thing that you must constantly keep in mind as you do your pet assisted visitation is that you and your dog are under scrutiny all the time. If either the dog or you don't perform in a exceptional manner at all times, you will be asked to leave and not return. Pet therapy is getting a lot more press but in many institutions it is still on an experimental basis.

There are several Pet Therapy registries available to people in the San Francisco Bay Area. Among these are: Therapy Dogs International (TDI) Flanders, NJ, Furry Friends, and Delta Society. Most of the registries require that the dog and handler perform a series of exercises based on the AKC's CGC. Additional exercises will provide the evaluator with a brief view of the teams ability to cope with a minimal hospital situation. All registries require a yearly membership renewal. The renewal involves a dog's health check and a yearly fee (the fee covers liability insurance during visitation).

My dogs and I are registered with TDI. In early 2003, I applied and was accepted to be an Evaluator for TDI. All of my dogs except for Jessi have been certified by Dr. Gilbert Roth in Fresno, CA. I would like to thank St. Louise Regional Hospital of Gilroy (formally St. Louise Hospital of organ Hill) and their staff for accepting me and my dogs and the tremendous support that have given me during our 16 year association.

None of this would have been possible without the dedicated service of my most faithful team members:

Participating Dogs

In the history books:

Starwind’s Jessi Symons - TDI

Symons’ Treasure Jeff - TDI

Symons’ Treasure Dixxi - TDIA

Symons’ Treasure Jenni- TDI

Symons’ Treasure Francci - TDI

Symons’ Treasure Harbor Light (Toro) - TDIA

Symons’ Treasure Izzi - TDIAOV

Symons’ Treasure Kurtiss - AKC-THD & TDI-AOV

Currently working dogs:

Cinema Angel’ Marjji Symons - AKC-THDD & TDI-EVA

Symons' Treasure ’ Jessi - AKC-THD & TDI-A

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*351* Last Updated 12/11/14 by Sue and Dick Symons