APHASIA RESEARCH AND PET THERAPY

By Wednesday, October 16, 2019 14 No tags Permalink

Aphasia research and pet therapy may soon have the opportunity to work together through a community group affiliated with our hospital…

Listening to people read is how Harley started his pet therapy work…

What is Aphasia?

Aphasia is a communication disorder that results from damage or injury to language parts of the brain. It’s more common in older adults, particularly those who have had a stroke.

Aphasia gets in the way of a person’s ability to use or understand words. It does not impair the person’s intelligence. People who have aphasia may have difficulty speaking and finding the “right” words to complete their thoughts. They may also have problems understanding conversation, reading and comprehending written words, writing words, and using numbers.

webMD

TAIL WAGGING TUTORS –

Tail wagging tutors, one of many literacy programs across the country, utilizes pet therapy for AAI (Animal Assisted Intervention) work.

Could pet therapy do the same with those suffering from Aphasia through reading?

Harley started pet therapy with Tail Wagging Tutors years ago…

He sat on his corvette bed in gymnasiums all over Northern Virginia…

Hopefully very soon, Speech Language Pathologists, Aphasia Research and Pet Therapy teams can work together and help those suffering in a similar manner – through reading.

I asked Harley to visit with my co-worker to see if he still had “the gift” when it came to listening attentively while someone reads to him.

Elated to say, he’s still got “it”

Matt was impressed with how attentive Harley was as he read aloud!

Wordless Wednesday is a simple blog post featuring a photo which conveys a message that speaks for itself without using words.

But sometimes we break the rules #alittle – and use words #sshhh

It’s Wednesday – put your positive pants on ❤️

Steal a few minutes from your day, sit back and check out the creative geniuses behind this list of blog posts below.

14 Comments
  • Madison
    October 16, 2019

    Glad you boys and your mom found what you love to do in life. You do look pretty interested in listening to what that guy is reading to you.

    • Cathy Bennett
      October 16, 2019

      Ha! it was the new fall holiday magazine – I’m not too sure what he was saying but Harley definitely liked the tone of his voice!

  • Sandee
    October 16, 2019

    What a lovely idea. I’m sure this helps a lot. Just having a pup around is most helpful for many things. I hope it helps those that suffer with Aphasia.

    Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

    Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. ♥

    • Cathy Bennett
      October 16, 2019

      I am anxious to get started Sandee. I will certainly keep everyone in the loop as we move forward. Thanks for having us.

  • Lisa
    October 16, 2019

    What a wonderful program and *gift* Harley has been given. I’m not sure we have this opportunity in my town.

    • Cathy Bennett
      October 16, 2019

      Thank you Lisa – pet therapy is such a growing accompaniment in hospitals all over the country. If your town isn’t using them now, I sincerely believe it won’t be long before they do 🙂

  • Tails Around the Ranch
    October 16, 2019

    Aww, that’s so cool! You da man, Harley!

    • Cathy Bennett
      October 16, 2019

      He truly is – but I try not to tell him often!

  • meowmeowmans
    October 16, 2019

    Wow. This is so wonderful! I love that you and Harley get to be part of this program. 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      October 21, 2019

      I am so filled with joy each and every day I go to work. Thanks for reading 🙂

  • Ducky's & Radar's Mom
    October 17, 2019

    Very interesting! And glad you and the boys are involved in this project. The symptoms is asphasia sound like some of the issues that affect dementia patients, like hubby. Ducky is a bit too vociferous to be a therapy dog, but Radar is already proving to have such qualities. I’ll be sure to follow your posts on this particular subject – as I do your others – so thanks for sharing with us all.

    • Cathy Bennett
      October 21, 2019

      How’s hubby doing these days? I often think of you two when we are visiting with memory loss patients. It’s a tough thing to watch, I remember quite well with my mom. Does Radar spend a lot of time with hubby? I know for my mom, Harley was always a source of peace and good times. Please know that I am always here should you want to talk – take care my friend 🙂

  • Jan K
    October 17, 2019

    This is so wonderful and hopeful! I have a very close friend who recently suffered a stroke so I know exactly what this is all about. I can totally imagine how dogs could help with this.
    Harley is amazing in how attentive he is! ♥

    • Cathy Bennett
      October 21, 2019

      You should see if you can get Luke to let her read to him. It may work because Luke knows her. It’s worth a try 🙂