Finley cuddles with a resident while Bonnie engages in conversation
Finley and Owen are full brothers from two different litters (same parents). They are about ten months apart in age, and they have both lived with Bonnie and her family since they were each eight weeks old.
Two weeks ago, I gave Owen and Bonnie a private lesson right in the nursing home to test-drive their skills and techniques for visiting prior to having their therapy dog evaluation. Owen was a natural, and what impressed me the most was Bonnie’s technique. She was careful to position Owen close to the resident he was visiting. Most residents were sitting in wheelchairs. Bonnie would then kneel down next to Owen, making herself at eye-level with the resident. Dog and handler positioned in this way promoted movement and conversation on the part of the resident. That’s the goal of a therapy dog visit. Bonnie and Owen, in sync with one another, did this over and over again with each resident. It was little wonder that Owen was a Big Hit with everyone there. FYI: Owen and Bonnie had their evaluation that Friday and passed with high marks. They are now a certified Bright Spot Therapy Dog Team!
Not to be outdone by his younger brother, Finley came for his private lesson the following week. Under Bonnie’s guidance, Finley reacted in much the same way Owen did. Bonnie employed all the skills and techniques she had learned in our Bright Spot Therapy Dog Training Classes. Finley, who looks like a cuddly brown bear cub, elicited giggles and smiles from all the residents he met. Staff, too! I’m certain the team of Finley and Bonnie will make out equally as well on their therapy dog evaluation as did the team of Owen and Bonnie. Owen and Finley are lucky dogs to have a human companion who takes the time necessary to socialize and train them properly, not just to become therapy dogs, but to be well-adjusted and happy canine family members.