More than Man’s Best Friend
In 1870, lawyer and former United States Senator George Graham Vest delivered his closing remarks on behalf of a Warrensburg, Missouri farmer attempting to recoup damages after his dog, Old Drum, was shot by a neighbor. “The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him and the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog,” Vest remarked. The farmer won the case and Vest’s remarks became known as “Eulogy on the Dog.” The speech is considered to be the origin of the phrase “Man’s best friend.”
In today’s society, canines are becoming widely recognized for more than just being loyal. In fact, for many people, the therapeutic value of dogs far surpasses the idea of mere friendship.
Therapy dogs date back to the time of World War II, when Corporal William Wynne befriended a stray Yorkshire Terrier. Wynne named the female Smoky and the two quickly developed a mutually reliant relationship. When Wynne was later hospitalized with jungle disease, his colleagues took Smoky to brighten the Corporal’s spirits. Smoky not only managed to entertain Wynne, but also several other wounded soldiers who were being treated in the hospital. Impressed with Smokey’s positive impact on the patients, Wynne’s commanding officer, Dr. Charles Mayo, gave permission for Smoky to go on rounds around the hospital, thus creating the first known therapy dog.
Smokey inspired Elaine Smith, an American nurse, to start a program utilizing dogs in the hospital setting. In time the demand for therapy dogs started to grow and therapy dog programs began sprouting up all over the world. In Fargo/Moorhead, Therapy Pets of the Red River Valley (TPRRV) provides therapy dogs in a variety of settings, including nursing homes, hospitals, libraries, and even one-on-one exchanges. According to TPRRV President Ilene Cohen-Pearson, the organization has had to turn down visit requests because the demand for therapy dog interactions exceeds the supply.
The mission of Therapy Pets of the Red River Valley is to enrich the lives of people and pets by providing opportunities for human-animal interactions while participating in educational, social, and therapeutic activities. One of the programs associated with TPRRV is the Reading Education Assistance Dog program, or R.E.A.D program. The R.E.A.D. program is utilized in libraries and schools to improve children’s reading and communication skills by giving them the opportunity to read to trained therapy dogs.
The R.E.A.D. program has been very successful in a variety of ways. According to TPRRV, learning to read is often less about intellectual limitation than about overcoming fears. Animals are ideal reading companions because they:
• Help increase relaxation and lower blood pressure
• Listen attentively
• Do not judge, laugh, or criticize
• Allow children to proceed at their own pace
• Are less intimidating than peers
When a R.E.A.D. dog is listening, a child’s dread is replaced by eager anticipation, and learning occurs. The handler is a skilled facilitator, shifting performance pressure off the child and providing support. The environment allows the child to receive supervised reading practice while building a safe and nurturing relationship with dogs. While most therapy pets are dogs, Cohen-Pearson pointed out the fact that many animals can be trained to provide therapy and support. “Statewide we have seen cats, a llama, even mini-horses,” she said, adding that reptiles are unable to participate due to the risk of spreading diseases.
An added benefit of the R.E.A.D. program is its ability to foster trust between a child and dog. Seven-year-old Blake Larson is a great example of the life-changing power of the program. Bitten twice as a toddler, Blake was terrified of dogs, to the point of refusing to be in the same room as an animal. The size and type of dog didn’t matter; Blake shook at the first sign of a canine. After reading to a therapy dog just once, however, the boy’s relationship with dogs changed. Although still wary of unknown animals, Blake has become a vocal supporter of therapy dogs. “They are calm and gentle,” he said while petting Marley, Cohen-Pearson’s Australian Shepherd. “They are trained really well so there is nothing to be afraid of. They just want to help kids and be nice to them.”
In addition to the R.E.A.D. program, TPRRV provides two additional programs to the F/M community. Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) provides social interactions between therapy dogs and members of the community. Animal Assisted Activities typically occur at schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and community events. “We do lots of social visits,” Cohen-Pearson explained, adding that nursing homes are a popular destination for TPRRV dogs. “The first time I took Marley to a nursing home, my face hurt from smiling,” she said. “She brought joy to so many people.”
Therapy Pet’s third program is Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). Unlike AAA, Animal assisted therapy is the deliberate and systematic employment of animals in a professional care plan, with defined treatment goals. It is goal-directed intervention in which a therapy animal is part of the clinical treatment process.
Marley is one of twenty dogs currently trained through TPRRV. Cohen-Pearson rescued her eight years ago and she has served as a therapy dog for the past six. Although completely deaf, Marley is able to perform the necessary skills needed for certification, something not all dogs are able to accomplish. “It’s really up to the dog,” Cohen-Pearson explained regarding the certification process. Potential participants must become certified through Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program, a four-step process that includes both the dog and owner successfully completing a two-phase evaluation. “Almost always the dog passes,” Cohen-Pearson remarked. “It is the person that fails.” One of the most important factors is the temperament of the dog in a variety of situations. “Any signs of aggression or growling are an automatic fail,” Cohen-Pearson said.
There is a high demand for therapy pets in the Red River Valley. TPRRV encourages anyone interested in registering their dog to enroll in obedience classes that are tailored to helping both owner and dog pass the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. Although passing the CGC test is not a requirement, it is helpful as the Pet Partners evaluation test includes many of the same exercises. Classes and CGC testing are offered by several of the dog training facilities in the F/M area.
More information about Therapy Pets of the Red River Valley can be obtained at www.therapypetsrrv.org.