If someone asked you that question – who benefits from pet therapy?
What would your answer be?
Truth be told, I just found that out.
Close to noon on any given Tuesday Harley and I can be seen rushing from the parking garage heading into the South entrance of the MUSC Children’s Hospital…
That’s his pet therapy shift, 12-2pm every Tuesday for the next 12 months. #aworkingdoodle
In addition to health problems, people in hospitals deal with –
- pain
- anxiety
- depression
- fatigue
Harley’s job as a therapy dog is to help improve the patients mental, social, and emotional functions.
I am only the handler. He’s the magic potion. #abracadoodledabra
Training to get started is lengthy and detailed, as it should be.
After much reading material, online testing, orientation and practice – Harley is allowed in hospital rooms and on beds with the patients.
IF YOU WERE WONDERING –
There are several sanitary steps taken to ensure protection of the patient as well as the dogs.
In conjunction to the patients, the staff benefits from the dogs also…
Every nurses station is a pit stop for love, hugs and often treats. I love to see the smiles when the doors swing open and they realize he’s there.
Yesterday we met some incredible families –
- Parents, who, in the worst of times display enormous kindness, faith and hope.
- Children, who, although would rather be anywhere else than a hospital, are still cheerful, playful and so grateful.
Before we know it – his shift is over and it’s time to leave.
We circled around to say goodbye to a girl who was finally leaving today. She has been Harley’s first patient and his favorite masseuse for two weeks straight.
Once we’re back in the car, I give him some water and we sit together for a few minutes before heading home.
I’m not sure what he sees or feels so I always want to make sure he’s aware that I’m there for him AND with him all the time.
As we sat, I started to reflect about our day together and the realization to my original question hit me like a ton of bricks.
The person who’s truly benefiting from this experience is…
Thank you Harley – for sharing your world with me, Doodle Mom
*If you are interested in your dog sharing his love and fluffiness as a pet therapy dog, please check your local listings for certification classes
ONE MORE THING –
If you’re interested in a giveaway for a waterproof car seat dog cover, hop on over – click here!
This is our contribution in the BlogPaws Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
May 4, 2016
oh my. Wonderful post.
May 4, 2016
Thanks LeeAnna – have a great day!
May 4, 2016
The article on “Pet Therapy” is awesome. Continue your worthwhile journey!
May 4, 2016
Why thank you Verna! So happy to hear you’re still keeping up with the Boys. I promise I will continue… God Bless 🙂
May 4, 2016
My mom isn’t interested in us being therapy dogs, but we are her personal therapy dogs and that is a big enough task for our paws!
May 4, 2016
Pet therapy isn’t for everyone. You’re mom is smart to know this isn’t her thing. And I’m glad to hear that you girls are taking care of her!
May 4, 2016
Mr. N loves playing with the kids and the kids love seeing him too! Good job, Harley!
May 4, 2016
I’m sure children and adults are thrilled to see Mr. N.
May 4, 2016
Sadly enough in Belgium Therapy dogs aren’t certified! People still don’t believe in the power a dog can have.. It’s so sad!!
Dogs can make such a big difference in someone’s life!!
Keep it up!! It’s so important!
I’m fighting for therapy pets overhere in Belgium!!
May 4, 2016
I cannot believe there are places on this planet that don’t understand the value in Pet Therapy. So sad 🙁 Keep fighting Valerie!
May 4, 2016
I’m so glad that Harley is doing pet therapy now! That is awesome. I think that animals are very healing for people. Helping people is truly rewarding. I can see how you would feel that you are the true beneficiary of the therapy. 🙂
May 4, 2016
Not sure I’m the true beneficiary – but I certainly do enjoy being one of them!
May 4, 2016
All of our pets are therapy pets to their humans, but therapy pets in hospitals and nursing homes are so, so important. I love that more and more cats are joining the program too!
May 4, 2016
Haven’t seen a cat yet – but I will certainly keep an eye out!
May 4, 2016
Dogs are such natural healers. I am sure Harley brings so much joy and comfort to everyone – parents, kids, nurses, etc. Keep spreading the love, Harley!
May 4, 2016
That’s our plan Daily Pip, we’re going to keep going until Harley barks “enough.”
May 4, 2016
That’s so great that you guys are doing that! I know from volunteering at the dog shelter that I benefit as much as the pups – maybe more – so I’m sure it must be really rewarding for you to be doing this. If I’m ever in a hospital, I would certainly want a visit from a doodle!!!
May 4, 2016
I look forward to Tuesdays so much now. Harley is really good at his job too! Love this doodle 🙂
May 4, 2016
Bravo!!! Bravo!!! What a beautiful post — love the pictures. Harley is looking so comfortable, so serious, so hardworking! Can’t wait to hear more.
May 4, 2016
Harley does take his job seriously. He has a special leash and collar, when he sees me grab it – he runs straight to the front door. By the time we get out of the car in the parking garage, he’s strutting to the elevator like a peacock doodle on a mission. So funny!
May 4, 2016
Oh what a wonderful post, thank you and Harley for doing what you do! I also have done therapy work and I miss it.
May 4, 2016
It’s a true blessing – I love it.
May 5, 2016
Don’t you feel such an immense feeling of pride? I think the positive benefits ripple outward and they affect everyone he’s around. You, the patient, the family, the hospital staff.
Go Harley!! He must go home completely wiped out, does he? I know it’s different but when I had Charlie doing modeling/print work, he’d leave and sleep like the dead, snoring his heart away. 🙂
May 5, 2016
I don’t know about [pride, I am just in awe each week with how much his visits mean to everyone including me! I do not get on the computer much on Tuesday. I purposely play with him and Jax most of the afternoon and then we all cuddle in the evening. I worry about what goes on in Harley’s head after leaving the hospital so making sure he’s just goofing off the rest of the day with me and Jax is the best medicine for him #Ibelieve We need to talk one day Lindsay – I’ve always wanted to get Harley into print modeling, need some pointers on how to get started!
May 5, 2016
I think Pierre would make a great therapy dog. I know that Jax and Harley would bring a smile to my face in the hospital. ♥ ♥
May 5, 2016
Pierre would make an A-Mazing pet therapy dog! No doubt in my mind.
May 5, 2016
An animal is the only sentient being who doesn’t see the patient as a patient. They’re a human being. They’re not sick, to be pitied, possibly facing death—all the emotional stuff we humans pile on. An animal sees the pure person. What a relief that must be for a person who is ill! Good for you, Doodle Mom.
May 5, 2016
True but debatable to a point. I believe animals are aware of those who are sick. but I agree – they do not pity the patient. Harley reacts differently based on the severity of the patients illness. He takes his cues from them. If they struggle with comfort he is very still and quiet. Yet, everyone seems to forget their present situation, no matter how grave – to smile, laugh and cuddle with him, and I feel so blessed to witness this each week.
May 5, 2016
Hi Y’all!
How wonderful for the patients.
Y’all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
May 5, 2016
AbsoDOODLEtutely Hawk Brown Dog! How you been?
May 5, 2016
Pet therapy is so important for people in hospitals. I’ve seen stress literally melt away when therapy animals visit senior homes. Anyone that’s in a hospital setting can only benefit from the visit of your doodles – those pictures!
May 6, 2016
Fascinating stats on pet therapy. The mere fact that the doctor will order a pet therapy dog to sit with a patient to bring his blood pressure down “naturally” amazes me. Can’t wait to train Jaxson once he gets a little older. Have a great weekend Christine – Happy Mothers Day.
May 7, 2016
Yup…you totally nailed it. And I love the expression of the nurse’s station being a pit stop for hugs and treats. Sam does the work, I just drive him and watch as he spreads healing magic with patients, staff and visitors to the hospital and hospice. Such gratifying work. Kudos to you for doing it!
May 7, 2016
Hey Monika – isn’t it the best ever? We live for Tuesday’s around here 🙂 Happy Mothers Day to Sam’s incredible Mommy!
May 10, 2016
Beautiful!! I’d say that is definitely what is called a win-win, everybody benefits!
May 12, 2016
It’s always a great day.