Many of us keep dogs for companionship. Some people keep dogs to help them with their disabilities, like the way Guide dogs are used by visually-handicapped people.
Larry Springer takes his Golden Retriever, Jake, to hospital all the time. Not for treatment but to take part in a treatment program. Jake visits Le Bonheur Children's hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, as part of the hospital's "Pet Therapy" project. So far the children has been reacting positively to the dog-tor.
In your own homes where you have dogs, have you noticed anything like this? Are your dogs having a positive effect on you or members of your family in times of sickness?
Dogs have definitely helped me in avoiding my mom's wrath. She would usually have a bad mood in the morning but Peanuts does two things, she would either follow my mom all around the house with that questioning look or do something bad that my mom would forget her bad mood and focus on her. It's a win-win situation for all three of us.
I have a couple of friends whose dogs are therapy dogs. They share their adventures every week working as therapy dogs and the emotions they feel when putting smiles on patients' faces.
Therapy dogs? I have heard of that. So what exactly do your friends do with their therapy dogs? Do they take them to the hospitals or something like that?
This is wonderful. I can see the children cheering up just by seeing the dog. It would certainly make me more at ease if I had a friendly dog to talk to during my doctor visits.
I think therapy dogs are becoming more common. We are understanding the bond that dogs create with humans and how it benefits us.
Victor, I remember when I was first diagnosed with arthritis and was in a lot of pain. Sierra was incredibly intuitive. She understood that my feet hurt and was so gentle getting up on the bed so as not to step on them. She would lay her head down so gently on my leg. I appreciated her tenderness.
I also know when I am having a bad day that Misha can cheer me up. Who can resist a dog that gets on you lap and has to sit 3 feet from your head. LOL
I know that as my Dad became more sick before he passed away Misha's antics made him laugh. He was stuck in the house most of the time and her silly behavior would cheer him up. It wasn't the best situation having a puppy and an elderly person on oxygen in the house at the same time. I think it helped my Dad is some ways, though.
Now that makes me think of my own father. He lived with me the last few years of his life. Since I was away at work from dawn till dusk, Candy, my Bangkeaw, was his constant companion. In the house. I wouldn't let him take her out for walks, though, because Candy was too strong for him to handle. Still, in the house, the two of them kept each other company very well.
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