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Living and working with therapy dogs

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Cynthia

Bonding time with James…

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James in the garden

This dog loves to be with me. We work together and play together.   Twice a week we  make our therapy dog visits.  He accompanies me when I give a talk about Bright Spot.  And, he’s my model therapy dog at my training workshops.  At home, we take quiet, pleasure walks together listening to the sounds of nature.  When I’m working from home, he lies at my feet.  And, when I’m outside gardening (something I love doing), he’s right there in the garden with me.  As the girls (Trudi and Annabelle) head out to the back field to explore, he heads to the porch door which leads out to the garden and stands waiting for me.  Today was a terrific gardening day…  warmth, sunshine, a gentle breeze, and James right there…  He’s a great companion.

Hospice… the visit is important no matter the length

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Today’s visit with Marie was brief. She was very sleepy and kept dozing off.  As James quietly approached her bedside, sensing his presence, Marie opened her eyes and smiled.  It is difficult for Marie to talk – and her voice is very soft.  Today is Wednesday…  I thought I might be seeing James today, she said, in what seemed like a whisper. I maneuvered James so that his head rested on her chest.

Positioning is challenging because, unlike many patients, Marie does not want James to come up on her bed. This is the type of challenge I train my students to handle in class.  It is important to make it possible for the patient to touch and feel the dog’s soft fur.  In a case like Marie, smaller dogs are often easier for the owner to hold in their arms and place near the bedridden patient.  With James, I moved a chair next to Marie’s bed, sat down in it, and placed the upper part of his body in my lap… and he – the experienced therapy dog – leaned his head over and across Marie’s chest.

She smiled and  pet is head and ears, saying, I love to pet his soft long ears. During this time, Marie continued to glide in and out of sleep.  I’m very tired today, she said, but I’m so glad you brought James to visit me. Sensing it was time to depart, I told Marie that James would be back to visit her next Wednesday.  With her eyes closing, she said, That’s good.  I’ll see you then, James.

Annie and the library… things are getting better… still baby steps

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I’ve been working for several months with Annie on her fear of strange places… our new, beautiful, dog-friendly, town library is one of those places where she feels ill-at-ease.  For the past few months, I’ve been driving Annie over there, walking her over to the front door, pausing and treating her all the way, then turning and walking her back to the car.  Happy, happy, happy.  For the past two weeks, I’ve been opening the big scary front door and taking her into the vestibule…  she’s continued to be happy – accepting her treats and heading back to the car.  Last week, she seemed so happy that I headed her right into the main area of the library and over to the circulation desk where she met two different people.  All the time, she seemed happy, wagging her tail, and accepting treats.  With this brief encounter with the inside of the library, we headed back out to the car.

Yesterday, we made great headway… down the walk way, through the big doors and vestibule, into the main area of the library, and over to the DVD shelves.  All the time, Annie was happy, wagging her tail, and accepting treats.  Since I wasn’t able to find a movie within five minutes, I decided to return her to the car while she was still wagging her tail and accepting treats.  I then returned to finish making my selection.  Definite improvement.  Baby steps are important to take with a shy dog…  and they’re paying off.  I know she’ll get there!

Open House at Berkshire Hills Labradoodles today

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I spent the afternoon at Berkshire Hills Labradoodles in nearby Haydenville, Massachusetts.  It was fun spending  more time with these fun-loving, sociable dogs. Boy do they know how to please a crowd.  Carson went up to everyone giving his usual hug and Kipling behaved like the formidable host – moving from one group of people to another.  The others romped through the lush green grass of the mowed down pasture, stopping for a petting here, and a hug there.  Who could resist such endearing dogs!  I think it was love-at-first-sight for everyone there.

This breed has the makings of some terrific therapy dogs. Several people asked me about training options for their dog to become a therapy dog and about becoming members of Bright Spot Therapy Dogs. We’d love to have some of these super friendly dogs as Bright Spots.

Annie starts agility classes

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The trainer sets up pieces of agility equipment to be used in class.

Today was a big day for Annie.  She started her first agility class. We were the first to arrive – 15 minutes ahead.  Since she is shy when presented with a new situation, it was important to allow her plenty of time to check out the training center and get settled in.  She watched as the the trainer brought out the agility equipment to be introduced in class.  Then, she went over to investigate each piece.  By the time the other 3 dogs arrived for class, Annie was feeling quite comfortable in her environment.  She watched, curiously, as each newcomer entered…  all the time, her tail was wagging.

Annie checks out the equipment.

The class is held at the Collared Scholar. I love this training center.  It’s a great facility – not too large, nor too small.  Class size is deliberately kept small.  There is no problem hearing what the instructor is saying and with the small classes, owners and dogs have plenty of practice time.  This is where I teach my Therapy Dog Training Workshops (A Beginners Workshop is scheduled for June 12, 2011 from 10:00-12:00.  If interested, you can find information about it on our Bright Spot Therapy Dogs, Inc. website.).

Today, Annie and her classmates were introduced to 5 pieces of agility equipment. Annie was smiling the entire time!  After class, we headed to the real thing… several of our Bright Spot friends were competing in an agility trial not too far away, so Annie had a chance to watch competition in action, meet some more new dogs and people…  great socialization.

Annie leaves class all smiles!

 

Missing Allan

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When James and I visited the nursing home last week, I noticed a new name on the nameplate at his door… Allan had been bedridden for the past several weeks.  It did seem unusual to me because he never spent time during the day in his room.  Though, several of the residents had been down with a stomach bug this spring and it had taken them quite a while to get back on their feet.  But, no…  when I saw the name change, I knew this wasn’t a good sign.  I’d seen this many times before…  and yes, the nurse confirmed that Allan had passed.  She told me that many of the residents were shaken by his loss – one woman in particular who had been his special friend.

Allan was a robust man – friendly with everyone. During the day, he buzzed through the hallways in his motorized wheelchair, and always took part in activities being offered.  He was a man who loved dogs…  the bigger, the better.  Allan became my official assistant evaluator – helping me to decide whether or not a dog being evaluated would make a good therapy dog.  He’d pet the dogs and talk to them.  He’d tell me, Definitely take this one, he’d be a great therapy dog. Or, This one’s a bit shy.  I’m not sure she should pass, but maybe she just needs to get used to the place. He watched for all the dogs coming to visit and remarked on the different breeds.  He missed having his own dog, he told me.  But, seeing the dogs visit, helped fill the void.

I remember one day last year, he took me aside when I was there evaluating a dog and said, You won’t be seeing me anymore after today… My daughters live far away from here and want me to live closer to them.  I’m going to miss this place, but that’s what they want.  I hope they have dogs at my new place. When I returned the following week, much to my surprise, Allan was tooling through the facility in his motorized chair.  I called to him, Hi there, Allan, I didn’t expect to see you here.  When are you leaving? With a huge grin on his immense face he exclaimed, I’m staying!  My daughters understand that I’m happy here where I am – and I’m so glad.  I would have gone for them, but I really want to stay right here.

This was a very happy man.  He made the best of his situation. Everyone loved him, not just his fellow residents, but the staff did, as well.  People do come here and end their days…  sadly, without much notice.  But this was a man with a contagious smile.  He made everyone’s life a lot happier.  His daughters made a wise decision to leave him just where he was.  It is understandable why he is missed by everyone here.  I miss him, too.

Bright Spot Volunteer Appreciation Event

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Now in its seventh year of operation, Bright Spot Therapy Dogs, Inc. held its first Volunteer Appreciation Event at the Florence Civic Center in Florence, Massachusetts today. The event was well attended – and everyone had a great time chatting with other fellow volunteers about their dogs and where they visit.  The program included a slideshow of our Bright Spots in action, a special ceremony to honor volunteers who have given 5+ years of service to Bright Spot, and an informative talk on First Aid for Dogs given by Steven M. Ellis, DVM, owner of Sunderland Animal Hospital.  The event ended with our fabulous dog-related door prizes being handed out to the lucky winners.  As always, it’s great to be in the company of a group of dog owners!

Thank you to James, the therapy dog who visited

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James lay at her side every Wednesday for two years and two months. In the beginning, she was able to open her eyes, smile, try to speak a word or two, and hold his leash in her hand.  When we started to visit Jane in March 2009, she had advanced Alzheimer’s disease and was bedridden.  Every Wednesday, with the grace of a ballerina, James gently positioned his 68 pound body along side Jane in her bed and placed his head across her chest.  As the weeks, months, and years advanced, Jane no longer opened her eyes, had long since ceased to utter a word, and was unable to move her hand to hold his leash.  He just lay there against her frail body that was covered by blankets to keep her warm.  She felt his presence, for sure.  Her rigid form seemed to relax with him there.

Every Wednesday, for these twenty-six months, Jane’s daughter, Noreen, planned her visit to coincide with James’ visiting time. She had been visiting her mother here at the nursing home for many years.  Coming while James was there brought a calming feeling to her.  In the last twelve months of our visits, Noreen said that James’ visits had really helped her.  She was an only child and had been very close to her mother all her life.  It was very hard to watch her mother decline.  It helped to sit by her mother’s bedside and pet James’ soft fur.

Last week, Jane passed away at the age of 97… The beautiful obituary written by Noreen described the wonderful life her mother had had – at the end of the obituary was written:  A special thank you to James, the therapy dog that visited Jane every week.

 

 

 

 

Simple things…

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Each time I visit the folks at the nursing home with James, I leave knowing that I have made many people happy. It’s a wonderful feeling.  Today, James approached a man in the physical therapy room.  The man’s arms were outstretched beckoning James to come closer.  As he did, the man took James’ face in his hands and simply said, Oh, I love dogs.  They are wonderful.  They are always there for you. It was the way he said it – the expression in his voice…  It made me feel so good that James was there to make this man happy.

Labradoodles as Therapy Dogs

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They seem to be a natural for therapy dog work. The Labradoodle is a combination of a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle (plus a few other breeds mixed in early on in the development of the breed).  They’re a highly trainable breed with a very friendly personality.  I have become intrigued with the breed since having three Labradoodles together in my recent therapy dog training workshop.  Boy, did they catch on quickly to the skills and techniques taught in class!  All of these Labradoodles were related and bred by a local breeder who was participating in the class.  The name of her kennel is Berkshire Hills Labradoodles and I had the pleasure of visiting there yesterday.

Carson, a medium sized doodle, came right over to me when I entered the fenced-in area. He sat down in front of me and placed his head against my legs.  Then, on command, he gave me a hug….  the perfect therapy dog behavior!  Mabel, who had been in my class, came over to say hello, as did all of the adult dogs.  What a joyful bunch…  exhibiting a clownish-type behavior, but never too boisterous.  I didn’t see an aggressive or shy one in the bunch.  

There were puppies, too… a group of 4-month-olds ready to be taken to their new homes.  And, a litter of 4-week-olds that I got to hold and play with in the puppy room.  The breeder holds puppy playtimes every week – so I plan to go back as often as I can to watch them grow.


I would highly recommend this breed to anyone thinking about doing therapy dog work… or just looking for a wonderful companion.