Is your dog a hero?

November 27th, 2007 · No Comments

Yellow Lab Dog Loves Bully Sticks Dog Treats

Is your dog a hero?

Your dog can be a hero just like Lassie! Well okay, maybe your dog won’t be rescuing anyone from a well anytime soon, but they may be able to lower blood pressure, relieve stress, and help children with emotional disorders. Yep, pretty impressive, we know. These are just some of the benefits derived from the use of therapy dogs. Therapy dogs are not chosen by breed, but by temperament. If your dog is friendly, patient, and at ease with being handled (even by children that tend to not only pet, but hug), then your dog may be ready for testing and accreditation. There are many organizations that train and test dogs for therapy use, such as Therapy Dogs International (TDI). An international volunteer organization dedicated to regulating, testing and registering therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers.

Therapy pets are not just limited to canines either; rabbits, cats, birds, and even fish have been known to provide comfort and relaxation to those that need it most, such as nursing home patients, people with cancer or AIDS, terminally sick children, and the mentally ill.
Even a pet owner of good health and sound mind, can have similar benefits from therapy dogs. We all feel the non-judgmental, unconditional love that pets give us, and this can brighten anyone’s mood. More specifically, therapy dogs can stimulate the important since of need that many terminally ill patients begin to lack. Studies have shown that some cancer patients have lived longer because they have felt that their pets needed them.

Some would be surprised to know that many therapy dog projects begin in the prisons. Prisoners that are specially selected and non-violent are given the opportunity to bond and train potential therapy dogs. It gives the inmates someone to take care of, and extra privileges and responsibilities, while preparing the dogs for their new vocation as a therapy dogs in the outside world. Essentially, the benefits of therapy dogs are endless. See, we bet you forgot about Lassie already, huh? Now, go out and volunteer to help someone in need, and let your doggy lead the way!