What ‘ingredients’ are required for a great Therapy Dog? Certainly a keen awareness of what a therpay animal can indeed provide can serve as a foundation in developing your dog for therapy work. Being aware of the various establishments and venues can help direct you in an understanding of the behaviors that will lead to success. If your goal is to provide a loving and calming presence to individuals in a senior living environment or to a retirement setting, then certainly a calm, laid back demeanor is one element that can help ensure a wonderful and rewarding visit. If you discover that your dog has a keen interest and excitement with children, then perhaps a reading program or adolescent physical therapy support is where your skills as a team will blossom. More often than not, your animal will tell you what appeals to them and where they can work their magic. It is often a listening and observing scenario that must occur before you both finally ‘settle’ on the correct setting for your best work.
First and foremost, you need to have an idea of what time you can donate to such an endeavor. Successful training and registration of your animal is a costly endeavor from a time and patience perspective initially. Only after you and your animal have completed the basic training modules and you have established insurance coverage does the real journey begin. Most institutions, libraries, facilities and venues that will be open to therapy animals will allow such activities if and only if you have acceptable insurance coverage for situations that may occur while in their building. Despite all the training and preparation before the visit, unknown and unexpected situations can and do happen. It requires a handler to know their animal well and how they may respond to loud noises, unusual smells, environmental equipment, challenging behaviors, crowds, flooring and situations not always conducive to animal comfort. As the team leader, you must also have a comfort level in reading the room, initiating engaging conversation, being prepared to manage or restructure situations that are unplanned or that suddenly develop and successfully completing the visit. It is the job of the handler to ensure the visit is a positive encounter, while always remembering that the personal level of stress is passed right down the leash to the animal.
The most important aspect of a successful Therapy Team is to remember that the handler is always first and foremost an advocate for their animal. No one else will look out for your animal and its safety-that is your sole responsibility after ensuring a safe and pleasant environment and encounter. The experiences you have together always provide some type of learning experience and in some way, shape or form, there is always a layer of magic left behind. Shared love is always evident and can be seen in smiles, heard in laughter, seen in improved engagement in activities or therapy, witnessed by hugs and tears of happiness. Depression is lifted, fears are dissolved, anxiety is diminished and healing happens. Let the magic begin!
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