I haven't been posting because my family has been monopolizing the computer! What is a dog supposed to do to get a little bit of online time? I finished my internship at the Cranston ARC, and am missing the many friends I made there, although when things settle down, I will go back and visit regularly. Yesterday Jacqie, Lin and I visited the ARC, along with two other Pet Assisted Therapy teams to talk to Pearl Salotto's current Community College of Rhode Island Pet Assisted Therapy students. Jacqie and Lin talked about their internships and what they do during the time that they spend with the clients.
Lin told about how I wanted to get close to a client that is in a wheelchair and has limited mobility. I tried climbing on some bean bag chairs that happened to be next to him to get up to where he could reach me, but it didn't work because the beans in the bad made it like trying to walk up loose sand. I kept sliding!. Then they found a big armchair that they placed next to him. I climbed up on the roomy chair, sat down and leaned over to give him a big kiss on the cheek. The kiss startled him so after that I would just kiss the air around him or kiss his hand, which he liked. After the first few classes he smiled all the time when I was there! I made him happy!
Lin also told about the one client who sat on a big comfy recliner that I mentioned in a previous post. One day he looked really sad so I climbed up and sat on his lap! That made him very happy! After the first time, every class I would spend some time laying on his lap. I keep telling my family that I'm a lap dog, but even after that they still say that I'm just too big!
It was great seeing so many student interested in Pet Assisted Therapy!
Showing posts with label pet assisted therapy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pet assisted therapy. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Day 3 of my internship
Today we added another person to my class. It is fun getting to know everyone!
As always, my companion, Lin, starts out by telling everyone a story about something that happened to me. I love hearing the story and remembering what happened. I think everyone in the class liked hearing about my adventures!
After the story, everyone took turns brushing my fur. They all were very gentle, with some clients getting some help brushing me because they need help controlling their arms movements. I love it when they brush and pet me! Today I hopped up in a chair to get closer to one of the people who is in a wheelchair. I really like him and needed to sit on something to make me higher so that he could reach me more easily. When I sat in the chair, he was able to brush my fur, like everyone else in the room. My friend, Joanne, who is the program director at the facility, told me that by brushing my fur, it was helping him to use his arms which was going to make his physical therapist very happy! She also told me that he doesn't smile very often, which I didn't believe because he smiles a lot when I am there.
Another person kept telling me how much she loves me! She gave me lots of kisses, and I kissed her too! Everyone in the class wants me to give them kisses. Most everyone wants me to kiss their cheek, although some only like me to kiss their hands. I do my best to remember who only wants their hands kissed, and Lin helps me remember. Another client invited me to her house for chicken dinner, but Lin had to tell her that I only eat dog food and carrots!
Every time I visit them, I do all of my favorite tricks and then they give me carrot slices as my reward. I really love carrots! They are told to put the carrots in the palm of their hand and to keep their fingers together. Even though I am very excited to get my treats, I am also very gentle. We want them to be safe around all dogs, so that is why we teach them to hold the treat in the palm of their hand. Not all dogs are as gentle as I am and we don't want any accidents!
After everyone had a chance to brush me and I went around giving kisses and being petted, Lin read them a story she wrote and illustrated. Everyone had a chance to see each page up close and study the illustrations. Some people just looked at the illustrations, but some really studied them, taking a long time to look.
The time goes really fast and I am sad when it is time to go home. I really love putting on my Therapy dog vest and visiting with everyone. I really look forward to going back and seeing everyone again!
As always, my companion, Lin, starts out by telling everyone a story about something that happened to me. I love hearing the story and remembering what happened. I think everyone in the class liked hearing about my adventures!
After the story, everyone took turns brushing my fur. They all were very gentle, with some clients getting some help brushing me because they need help controlling their arms movements. I love it when they brush and pet me! Today I hopped up in a chair to get closer to one of the people who is in a wheelchair. I really like him and needed to sit on something to make me higher so that he could reach me more easily. When I sat in the chair, he was able to brush my fur, like everyone else in the room. My friend, Joanne, who is the program director at the facility, told me that by brushing my fur, it was helping him to use his arms which was going to make his physical therapist very happy! She also told me that he doesn't smile very often, which I didn't believe because he smiles a lot when I am there.
Another person kept telling me how much she loves me! She gave me lots of kisses, and I kissed her too! Everyone in the class wants me to give them kisses. Most everyone wants me to kiss their cheek, although some only like me to kiss their hands. I do my best to remember who only wants their hands kissed, and Lin helps me remember. Another client invited me to her house for chicken dinner, but Lin had to tell her that I only eat dog food and carrots!
Every time I visit them, I do all of my favorite tricks and then they give me carrot slices as my reward. I really love carrots! They are told to put the carrots in the palm of their hand and to keep their fingers together. Even though I am very excited to get my treats, I am also very gentle. We want them to be safe around all dogs, so that is why we teach them to hold the treat in the palm of their hand. Not all dogs are as gentle as I am and we don't want any accidents!
After everyone had a chance to brush me and I went around giving kisses and being petted, Lin read them a story she wrote and illustrated. Everyone had a chance to see each page up close and study the illustrations. Some people just looked at the illustrations, but some really studied them, taking a long time to look.
The time goes really fast and I am sad when it is time to go home. I really love putting on my Therapy dog vest and visiting with everyone. I really look forward to going back and seeing everyone again!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
My internship has started!
Yesterday I met a group of 6 wonderful clients at a facility for people with mental and physical challenges. They loved petting me and took turns as I walked around the room visiting with everyone. My companion read a story about me to the group to help them to get to know me better. The book had lots of photos of me doing all of the things I love doing, except for the one where I was taking a bath. I'm not crazy about taking baths. I love to swim, but not in the bathtub! One lady told me how pretty I am and how much she loves me whenever it was her turn to pet me. When she saw my photos in the book, she pet my photo and said the same thing. Everyone gave me a treat! I sure love my doggie biscuits! Two of the people helped me to do my favorite tricks by giving me my treat afterwards!
This week I am only going to the center once, but the next few weeks, I will be going twice a week! Going there makes me very happy. I can't wait to see my new friends again!
This week I am only going to the center once, but the next few weeks, I will be going twice a week! Going there makes me very happy. I can't wait to see my new friends again!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
A Friend's Poem and Story
Two of my springer spaniel friends, Guinevere and Theo's mom, Cynthia Vanaudenhove, sent me this poem and the story that inspired it. Please enjoy reading, but any other use must have Cynthia's written permission since she holds the copyright. Her contact information can be found at http://www.windwalkercoalition.org/Executive_Board__.html
Why I Wrote the Poem
The poem was written because of my Professional Pet Assisted Therapy with a wonderful lady at Zambarano Hospital who has known all 6 of my dogs; Fallon, Abigail, Scout, Tucker (all 4 gone now) and now Guinevere & Theo. She had an especially strong bond with Fallon and Abbie and had formed a sort of "secret" relationship with them. They would sit close and seem to share secrets. It was amazingly touching. She was their favorite client..or shall I say special friend. And she said goodbye to Fallon only days before Fallon passed away. When I came to tell her, I brought Abbie with me, who sat with the lady as she cried about Fallon's passing. It was deeply emotional but strangely wonderful. Nothing like it! So this is to honor Fallon, Abbie and their special friend...who sadly I cannot name....shhhh its another secret..but my dogs know who!
-Cynthia Vanaudenhove
I'm bringing you Joy on all fours!
© 2011 C. Vanaudenhove
Why I Wrote the Poem
The poem was written because of my Professional Pet Assisted Therapy with a wonderful lady at Zambarano Hospital who has known all 6 of my dogs; Fallon, Abigail, Scout, Tucker (all 4 gone now) and now Guinevere & Theo. She had an especially strong bond with Fallon and Abbie and had formed a sort of "secret" relationship with them. They would sit close and seem to share secrets. It was amazingly touching. She was their favorite client..or shall I say special friend. And she said goodbye to Fallon only days before Fallon passed away. When I came to tell her, I brought Abbie with me, who sat with the lady as she cried about Fallon's passing. It was deeply emotional but strangely wonderful. Nothing like it! So this is to honor Fallon, Abbie and their special friend...who sadly I cannot name....shhhh its another secret..but my dogs know who!
-Cynthia Vanaudenhove
I'm bringing you Joy on all fours!
by Cynthia Vanaudenhove
God said:
I have a job for a dog.
I'll give him all fours, then he can carry my joy
A wagging tail and a smile, that's what the job requires
Joy on all fours he will do.
And dog said:
I'll bring them your joy on all fours!
That's what I will do
I'll share my toy or shake my paw
I'll sit by your chair or touch feet on the floor.
I know what you see, just a dog, but much more.
Do I remind you of a one that was once yours?
I'm able to reach out and willing to share
I'm soft, I'm gentle, I simply show you I care
Yes for you I am here.. Do I hear a tear?
Do I see something that is hard to bear?
My eyes are sharp, when yours are not
I see deeper than most. A person, and a life, I see what they don't, I see quite a lot!
My ears listen when your voice stops
I can hear what others forgot
Tell me your story, I'll tell you mine.
We'll talk a while and then I'll give you a sign
A sign that will be simply between you and me
A paw that will mean, “ I see, I see”.
My touch speaks to your soul
Your soul is alive and so full.
“What? They can't hear it? “
“Shhh .They aren't a dog.....I'll tell them all. “
I'm bringing them joy. Joy on all fours.
Joy that makes glad & opens the doors
Joy that turns rain into beautiful bows
Joy that creates smiles from once hidden by sorrows
Joy that sings songs that take us through tomorrow
I wish they could see what I see – God's beings
I wish they could hear what I hear – voices singing
I wish they could touch what I touch – truest feelings
I could tell them so much – it would be healing
But between you & me it will be
Too bad they can't be me
But God made me a dog not a frog or a tree.
He made me to feel and hear and to see
So I could sit beside you today and make you free
I'm bringing them joy on all fours
You see Joy times four is so much more!
Just let me bring them what I'm made for
That's why God made me a dog not a moth or a boar
I'm bringing them joy on all fours
.
Joy is for life, for love and for all.
I'm bringing you joy on all fours.
Now they call me a therapy dog, but I'm just a dog,
A dog God made to bring you His Joy on all fours!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Friends Rosie and Star Receive Canine Good Citizen's Award
My friends Rosie and Star received their Canine Good Citizen's Awards. Rosie received hers this summer and Star received hers last weekend. Rosie and Star are in my class training to become Pet Assisted Therapy dogs with me. I'm going to work hard to earn my Canine Good Citizen's Award too. This is a separate class and test than the Pet Assisted Therapy training, but is something to further reassure people that I have learned my manners and know how to behave properly. This is important when arrangements are being made for me to visit a new facility where the people in charge have not met me.
Congratulations Rosie and Star!
Congratulations Rosie and Star!
Monday, September 26, 2011
September Windwalker Humane Coalition Meeting
On Saturday my family attended the September Windwalker Humane Coalition meeting. My mom told me that Windwalker was described as "A unique, passionate, and energetic voice for people and animals via PPAT" (Professional Pet Assisted Therapy) by her friend and mentor, Pearl Salotto. Pearl is the founder of the DJPPAT program that we are attending. Mom said that Windwalker liked what Pearl said so much that they put that quote up on their website!
When they got home from the meeting they were talking about the guest speaker Marlo Manning's organization Fairy Dogparents and the great work that they were doing in Massachusetts. This organization prevents dogs from being surrendered to shelters due to temporary financial crisis. My mom showed me this video of an NBC news report about the organization.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619//vp/40833466#40833466
I know how brokenhearted I would be if my family had to give me up, and I know they would be totally devastated to have to give me away. It made me so happy to see Marlo bringing dog food to a family who did not have the money to feed their family dog. Even with a full belly, my stomach started rumbling to see the food being carried into the house. I am a lab after all and I love to eat! They even help with veterinary care if the family can not afford it. Marlo told the people at the meeting how it breaks her heart to have to turn down dogs that need her help because they do not live in Massachusetts, but she hopes that others will be able to start an organization in their state. She'd even give them information on how to set it up!
When they got home from the meeting they were talking about the guest speaker Marlo Manning's organization Fairy Dogparents and the great work that they were doing in Massachusetts. This organization prevents dogs from being surrendered to shelters due to temporary financial crisis. My mom showed me this video of an NBC news report about the organization.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619//vp/40833466#40833466
I know how brokenhearted I would be if my family had to give me up, and I know they would be totally devastated to have to give me away. It made me so happy to see Marlo bringing dog food to a family who did not have the money to feed their family dog. Even with a full belly, my stomach started rumbling to see the food being carried into the house. I am a lab after all and I love to eat! They even help with veterinary care if the family can not afford it. Marlo told the people at the meeting how it breaks her heart to have to turn down dogs that need her help because they do not live in Massachusetts, but she hopes that others will be able to start an organization in their state. She'd even give them information on how to set it up!
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