Therapy dogs in Cobourg
Posted by Anne Corke on 2009-05-28. Filed under Monthly Feature
COBOURG -- Therapeutic Paws of Canada has four hardworking members in petite papillons Luke and Neco and much bigger golden labs Buddy and Sage.
Of course, their owners -- Janice Miller and Joanne Rockey-Smith, respectively -- love them to bits for their devotion to their jobs. The fact is, these vest-wearing canines, social ambassadors of the animal world, have produced near-miracles when in the presence of the sick, elderly and those living with Alzheimer's disease.
Petting the dogs, "some (seniors) react more than others," Miller says. The dogs "bring some of their past back," Rockey-Smith says of the people they visit. For others, "it's the only time they concentrate," Miller says.
It's not unusual for either woman to find herself crying during a visit. Sometimes a patient who hasn't spoken for some time suddenly finds the wherewithal, in the presence of one of the dogs, to start a conversation.
Nurses chase after Miller and Rockey-Smith to bring the dogs around for a visit. Because time spent with a dog lowers blood pressure, patients like to first visit with a dog then go get their pressure checked.
Miller says she sees "miracles every day." She carries a blanket so her dogs can get up on a bed with a patient.
Miller and her little papillons cover the Ajax, Durham and Whitby area. Rockey-Smith and her labs go into area nursing homes and schools. Apparently, Buddy can visit the entire Golden Plough in an hour. Working with the elderly has consequences for the dogs, though. Member dogs are only allowed to work with the public two hours a week, with at least an hour off between the two hours worked. Working with the very sick and elderly tires out the dogs. After three years, a dog can be burned out. A reiki master, Miller says the dogs are emotionally involved. "They transmute energy," she says. "They react to changes in levels of energy. Seniors have a heavy energy. Dogs sleep for three hours after a visit."
After visiting children, though, it's a different story. The dogs only need an hour-long nap, Miller says -- and she has found her dogs need no nap at all after visiting special needs children. Both sets of dogs are qualified to work with children. The papillons are some of the few who can work in the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. The labs go into schools like CR Gummow Public School in Cobourg. After 100 school visits, the labs are ready for their next level of testing that will allow them to work in more special needs situations.
There are 580 Therapeutic Paws of Canada working teams. What's in it for the dogs? Treats and dozens of loving hands rubbing their fur. "They just love, it being petted to death," Miller says.
Preparation for the team involves canine masters getting police checks and several of references. Dogs -- which can come in any shape or size, purebred or shelter-saved -- must be tried and tested in all sorts of situations. They are subjected to noisy malls, kids eating food nearby, traffic congestion and more. They have to to be completely laid-back in the presence of noise and people. Erratic or overly enthusiastic behaviour is to be expected from humans, but the canines must stand idly by, ready to lick or receive attention.
In the end, it's all worth it, Rockey-Smith and Miller agree. The dogs "fill hearts. Put smiles on. Our dogs make a difference in people's lives," they say. "It's so rewarding."
Northumberland Today
May 7, 2009