I am delighted to be a guest presenter as part of the 20-week Dementia Caregivers’ Support Group held at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. My topic is The Human-Canine Connection and I will be presenting on Tuesday, April 24, from 4 to 5 pm.
As science continues to unlock the mysteries of this powerful connection, the human-canine bond is becoming better understood and accepted medically as an alternative form of treatment. I will offer anecdotal stories of cases in which James and I have been involved. James, of course, does all the work. I am simply there as an observer… forever in awe of my dog’s ability to touch those unable to be touched by humans. James will be right at my side as I relate his stories.
This program is open to the public. All interested in learning more about the power of the human-canine connection are welcome to attend. Come and meet James and learn about the meaningful work carried out by therapy dogs. There will be a Questions & Answers session after my talk.
Hi Cynthia —
So glad you’re doing this, and the antecdotal evidence is certainly compelling that the dogs can reach people in deep and profound ways that humans can’t.
After completing the Iditarod with a team of sled dogs I had trained myself, I have an unimaginably deep bond with them. And yet their gift is that they can be a “mirror” to everyone who interacts with them. I’ve seen this over and over when people come to work with them in the sledding context. They are far more patient working with “newbie mushers” than with me, for example, and they show the person exactly the lesson they need to learn at that point in their lives. So through working with the dogs, people learn about and learn how to have Focus, practice Patience, experience Trust, or whatever the lesson they need happens to be.
However even more amazing is what my sled dogs did when presented with a camp full of differently abled campers. I was invited to bring the dogs to a Kiwanis camp for disabled campers, most of whom were wheelchair bound, many of whom had significant communication challenges and lack of fine motor skills. A challenging environment for people: a ratio of 3 staff to each camper was required. Yet when I brought the dogs in they transformed before my eyes. Whereas a moment before they had been energetic rambunctious bundles of curiosity on 4 legs and straining against their leashes…as soon as they were with the campers they became calm, gentle, quiet. They weren’t bothered by the wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility aids. They totally responded to the campers’ energy, affection, and love. They responded to love with love. You should’ve seen the smiles all round, campers, staff and dogs alike!
That is their gift. Dogs look beyond the exterior, beyond the lack of fine motor skills, and connected to the soul within. That’s why when I teach people how to connect with their own dogs, it is such a profound and powerful experience.
Cheers — Liz Parrish, Iditarod’s Littlest Musher
http://www.BeTheLeadDog.com
Dear Liz,
Your story about your sled dogs working with the campers is a deeply moving example of the amazing ability dogs have to connect with people. I can just picture in my mind the scene you describe – the happy faces all around. What enjoy! Thank you for writing in and sharing your story – and your website for readers to check out.
All the best to you and your wonderful dogs,
Cynthia