What is a therapy dog?



Horatio’s first therapy dog visit

(Photo: Phil Balko)

Somerset Magazine, April 2015

by REBECCA S. LINDEMAN

Olive with Pups at Pitt founder, Ellory Dabbs

(Photo: Phil Balko)

 

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a service dog, an emotional support dog, and a therapy dog?  Well, according to the American’s with Disabilities Act, “Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities” and “the work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability.”  The organization Heeling Allies defines an emotional support dog (sometimes referred to as a mental health assistance dog) as one that provides therapeutic, physiological, and psychological benefits to an individual with special needs.  While the first two dogs work to the benefit of their individual owners, the American Kennel Club states that “therapy dogs and their owners work together as a team to improve the lives of other people.”

My Calley (An Act of Love) was a self-appointed therapy dog to any person she saw in a wheelchair.  She completely blew our chances of winning at one conformation trial when she spied an older lady sitting in a wheelchair outside the ring.  She wanted nothing to do with the task at hand and leaned from one side to the other, peeking around the judge during his exam to keep an eye on her new found friend.  Afterward, she spent the rest of the afternoon at the woman’s side, her giant head resting in her lap, a frail hand stroking her ears.  This was not a one-time event.  Calley would pull me across streets to meet people and once, when a family member was recuperating at a nursing home, it took us over half an hour to walk a 100 yard hallway because she stopped to greet each and every occupied wheelchair. 

           
Those are treasured memories.  Though, I’m not sure who enjoyed those visits most, Calley, the friends she made, or me.  As I write, I am looking at a set of paws that are growing in an attempt to fill Calley’s proverbial shoes.  This week, my youngest “child,” Horatio, embarked on his first therapy dog adventure, a most atypical one to my mind.

When I think of therapy dog work, I generally envision a nursing home setting, visiting with the elderly or people with intellectual challenges.  Or, I think of the Tales with Tails program, created by my friend Jaimie.  She and her dog, Shaylee, visit area libraries to encourage children to read.  Children who are self-conscious about reading aloud in a classroom setting often find themselves more at ease reading to a dog.  The dogs in her program are anything but intimidating and, in their non-judgmental company, shy children begin to blossom.  Without judgment, these kids can forget their limitations and this is often the key to improved reading skills.

Horatio’s first therapy dog visit was not to a hospital, care home, or library; his social call was to the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown to visit with young, healthy college students.  Nearly 100 students came to spend time with a group of seven dogs.  The students varied in age, race, and majors but what they all had in common was a love of and stories about dogs.  Each dog was fawned over while the students shared stories of family pets left at home or their wish to have a dog of their own after graduation. 

It’s tough to be away from home and family, including the four legged members.  Embarking on a new life, studying, and test taking are hard work for these young adults.  I’d never thought about it, but I am certainly glad that our friend, Ellory, did.  Visiting with those students, watching them smile, and seeing the look of contentment on the faces of the dogs was a heartwarming experience.  Most certainly, this was only the first of many therapy dog visits for Horatio and me.

Rebecca is the President & Executive Director of The Ethel Fund Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to changing animals' lives by providing assistance in times of catastrophic veterinary need.  To learn more, please visit http://www.ethelfund.org or https://www.facebook.com/TheEthelFund.  You may contact Rebecca at rslindeman@ethelfund.org.

Phil Balko is the proprietor of Photography by Balko and donates his talents to the Ethel Fund Inc. as well as other community organizations.  To see more of his work, visit http://philipbalko.com/. You may contact Phil at inquiry@philipbalko.com.



Josiah is a veteran therapy dog (Photo: Phil Balko)