<> DIAMONDS in the RUFF - Pet Therapy <>

Impeccable manners are required.
Your dog must be quiet but alert and responsive; never rowdy, always under control. He must be careful with his body and watch where he puts his feet. He must respond to your commands briskly and enthusiastically. He must, at a minimum, know how to heel, sit, down, stay and shake hands. You must work gently and easily together.

The ultimate goal is for you to work together as a team and make it appear effortless; no tugging on leashes and collars, no loud voices, no endless repetition of commands and exasperation. The two of you are indeed a team and it should be a pleasure to see you walking down the hall together. The reason you will need these skills is obvious: high visibility. From the moment you and your dog leave the car in the parking lot, you are on duty.

Your dog must be of sound, stable temperament and be extremely well-socialized. You must know him as well, or better, than you know yourself. You must be able to recognize when he is bored, stressed, or over-stimulated. He must have vast experiences with children, adults, situations outside the home, and other animals. Hospitals can be very stressful environments: new smells, sights, sounds, wheel chairs, big rumbling carts, and I.V. trees. No matter how much you want your dog to be able to participate, he may not be able to cope. Know his limitations, his strengths, his weaknesses.

What about you? Are you cut out to be a P.A.T. volunteer?
You will interact with the patient and the patient's family and visitors. They may be experiencing pain, fear, worry. Good people skills are a must. Some situations will be difficult for you and your dog. Certain odors, treatments, conditions and appearances may be aversive to you, especially the first time you encounter them. Your job will be harder than your dog's. You may know the patient's condition, limitations and prognosis. You will need to be comfortable and effective in what is often a difficult and pressured environment.

A pet assisted therapy visit may be one of the few positive activities a patient will engage in while at the hospital. We arrive bearing only happiness, good cheer and a willing ear. Few things in a hospital can make that claim.

Sacred Heart Medical Center Pet Therapy handlers and their dogs

Pet Therapy dogs come in all different shapes and sizes.
Above are Bill & Cato, Val & Mulligan, Carol & Eddie, Cathy & Cubby and Carol & Cedrick

THE DELTA SOCIETY 321 Burnett Ave. S. - 3rd floor, Renton, WA 98055 (206) 226-7357

If you don't have a dog but would like to get involved with pet-assisted therapy, you might contact the hospital volunteer office and become one of Sacred Heart's Service League guides who accompany handlers on our visits.

Pet therapy is broken down by the Delta Society into to two programs, the first being Animal-Assisted Activities "(AAA) which provides opportunities for motivational, educational, recreational, and/or therapeutic benefits to enhance quality of life. AAA are delivered in a variety of environments by specially trained professionals, paraprofessionals, and/or volunteers, in association with animals that meet specific criteria." (from Standards of Practice for Animal-Assisted Activities and Therapy) What does this really mean? Animal-assisted activities are basically the casual "meet and greet" activities that involve pets visiting people. The same activity can be repeated with many people, unlike a therapy program that is tailored to a particular person or medical condition.

The second pet therapy program is called Animal-Assisted Therapy ("AAT) which is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. AAT is directed and/or delivered by a health/human service professional with specialized expertise, and within the scope of practice of his/her profession. AAT is designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning [cognitive functioning refers to thinking and intellectual skills]. AAT is provided in a variety of settings and may be group or individual in nature. This process is documented and evaluated." (From Standards of Practice for Animal-Assisted Activities and Therapy)

PET THERAPY SKILLS CLASS
For information about Animal-Assisted Therapy, Pet Partner Team Training Classes, or the Pet Partner Team Evaluations

Contact Debbie Wing
Pet Partner Team Instructor & Evaluator, 838-0596
or email Pawsitive Outreach Affiliate Group of the Delta Society
at pawsitivepaws@aol.com

Pets and Seniors Article from the Senior Directory - brought to you by Lisa Lucas and Lawton Printing!