Bright Spot volunteer Ern Damon and I spoke to an extremely attentive group of Dementia caregivers and their care recipients. The talk turned into more of a discussion as the assembled dozen or so people asked questions about the role therapy dogs can play with those living with this disease.
Therapy Dogs James, Lilo, and Tucker provided perfect examples of what therapy dogs are like. Folks were interested in the training involved and asked detailed questions about what it takes to become a certified therapy dog team.
I spoke about the dramatic results I have witnessed with Dementia patients when they interact with my therapy dogs in nursing homes and hospice care. Patients that normally don’t respond at all to humans have made eye contact with my dogs, have smiled when they pet their fur, and have even spoken in sentences. Family members have often taken this cue and have brought a beloved family dog in to visit with extremely satisfying results. Ern spoke about personal experiences he’s had when caring for his sister afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. He told how she loves interacting with Lilo and Tucker, caring for them, holding their leashes and walking them. She remembers things she does with the dogs.
The group, led by Eleanor Wakin, brainstormed on ways they could use therapy dogs – or their own dogs – with their loved ones. This is the second time I have given a talk for the Dementia Initiative. Each time has been a pleasure. The folks assembled are a caring group of individuals in search of ways to help their loved ones. They have truly been intrigued by the power of the human-canine bond as described in our anecdotal accounts.