Therapy or Companion Pets

I’ve been following the story of this abused and neglected dog on Facebook.  Her name is Xena the Warrior Puppy.  When she was found in September 2012, she looked like this:

And now she looks like this (she is the one in the middle. Also pictured is her big sister Sally and her little sister Petunia):

She is the companion of an autistic little boy named Jonny.  Their bonding was love at first sight.  Jonny and his family went to an adoption event to meet dogs and Xena ran to Jonny the minute he entered the event.  They just officially adopted Xena a few weeks ago.

The reason I am telling you about Xena and her boy Jonny is because of what Xena has done to help Jonny.  He was pretty much non-verbal before Xena came into his life. He could talk, he just didn’t.  Since Xena arrived he pretty much chatters non-stop.  She has really helped him come out of his shell.  Xena is not a licensed companion dog…yet.  Not sure if the family plans on getting her licensed or not.  But this story is a wonderful example of how pets can help people in many different situations.

Xena and her boy Jonny

 

I was reading an article on Petfinder.com about Healing Partnerships and thought of Xena and some experiences we have had with some of our rescue dogs and wanted to share this with my readers.  You see companion animals are not just Seeing Eye dogs.  Companion animals help people who need a little extra help in coping with certain situations.  An example is a rescue dog we had named Oliver.  He was quite the handful when he first arrived and we had to use some pretty extensive training techniques to get him to behave as he should. 

As we worked with him, he really became a very well behaved dog.  A young lady, who was deaf, came to meet him.  He reacted well to her.  She decided to take him on a trial basis to see how he would work out.  She trained him to be her hearing dog.  He would alert her when someone was at the door, when the phone rang, or when any other alert went off.  They are still together today.

We all know of therapy dogs that visit nursing homes and hospitals.  They really bring people out of their shells and bring comfort to those who are ill.  I read this story about Ally Gillen and how therapy dogs helped her through some very painful therapy. 

Many companion animals are even helping military veterans as they return to civilian life.  There is a group called Canine Companions for Independence that is doing some amazing work with veterans.

And of course, close to home there is a group called Paws & Effect that trains service dogs for children with autism, combat veterans and others who need a little extra help.  They just received a litter of lab puppies that are being trained to assist people in need.  They really do some amazing work.

 

Therapy pets have also been a huge benefit to those affected by the bombs at the Boston Marathon. This quote from the article just about sums it up.  “Immediately after the bombings dogs were there to provide comfort. According to a poster on Reddit as runners came to the bag pickup area on Tuesday a Golden retriever was there waiting. The therapy dog was happy to be petted. “I petted him and almost started to cry all of a sudden,” said Reddit poster 99trumpets. “Glad the fluffy dog is here; every little bit of comfort helps.””

It's not just dogs that provide companionship.  Many animals have been used from horses to rabbits.  Cats also make amazing companion animals and there are many stories out there, but I only have so much room.  Might have to do another blog on Therapy Cats.  :) 

The best part is, if you have a dog or cat or other pet in your home, you already have a built in therapy pet.  Isn’t it nice to come home from a hard day at work and sit in your recliner just to be pounced by your pets so they can show you how much they loved you and missed you??  This is what I come home to every night:
 

 

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri