Volume 1, Issue 1
11-24-09
MICDS
Dogs: More Than Just a Pet Dogs: Versatile Companion And Man’s Best Friend Special points of interest: Having a pet can make you a healthier happier person Harnessing the caring power of a dog Therapy dogs What can you do?
There are approximately 74.8 million owned dogs in the United States(1). Dogs share a special bond with humans, in that they can always cheer us up and are there for us. So, we love dogs. But dogs are more than just pets and companions. Dogs are a special tool that we can use to enrich the lives of the sick, elderly, and disabled. There are many organizations that provide this service to people every day. One of these is Therapy Dogs International. At the end of 2007 TDI employed over 16,000 therapy dogs across the United States and in Canada (2). Volunteers who have joined TDI travel to local hospitals and nursing homes and interact with
the patients. This can be small things like petting the dog. It is impossible to put into data, the effects that dogs have on patients. But nurses and volunteers can say that dogs have helped more than one patient recover. This happened to Lori Shaw, a volunteer with TDI who brings her Golden Retriever to elementary schools and reads with the students. Shaw went to the school one day and the class she normally read to was not there. So Lori visited another classroom. She entered the classroom and her dog headed straight for a boy who was sitting alone and looking rather sad. The entire time the dog sat with the boy, and with each moment, the boy got a
Alex the Golden Retriever.
little happier. At the end of the session the teacher told Shaw how that boy had usually been sad and withdrawn. Lori Shaw and Alex her Golden now visit the boy every week. Stories like these show us the power of dogs.(3)
Inside this issue: History Of The Dog
2
Service Dogs
2
Household Dogs
2
What Can You Do?
3
What Are Therapy Dogs? There are two different types of therapy dogs. The first is called a Therapeutic Visitation Dog. This dog will visit hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living centers, and other places. The dog will do a variety of things depending on what the nurses want. They may
allow the patients to spend some time with the dog and petting it. They may have the dog play fetch with the patients and other games. The dog also can perform tricks for the patients. All of these things help the patient with what they are going through. The second kind of
therapy dog is called a Animal Assisted Therapy Dog. These dogs are more involved than Visitation Dogs. They also may have to go through special training to become one. These dogs would be a part of the treatment and would work with the patient.
Newsletter Title
History Of The Dog
The Wolf
The domesticated dog is descended from the wolf. Around 100,000 years ago the dog and wolf became two different species(4). The dog was originally used by humans as hunters, work -animals, herders, and even as food. Dogs were great animals that humans interacted with more and more. This was good for the dog because it had an increased chance of survival. The dog was taken care of by the human and when it helped them
to hunt the dog had a greater chance of killing something. The dogs enabled humans to complete work more quickly and get around. It also gave them a greater range of food because the dogs were excellent hunters. This partnership was good for both sides and since the paths of dogs and humans intertwined they have never separated. Although, this domestication did not occur quickly. Domestication has probably been going on
for more than 30,000 years. So, dogs have obviously had a lot of time to connect with humans. Dogs and humans share a special relationship and connection. They are our companion and are always at our side.
police dogs. Service dogs are different from therapy dogs in that they are not owned by a volunteer and their job is fulltime. A seeing-eye dog will belong the blind person and is with them at all times to help them get through the day. Simi-
larly, police dogs are on the job on a daily schedule with an assigned officer, they may perform drug searches or sniff out suspicious materials in an airport security checkpoint.
“Dogs and humans have been developing there special relationship for over 30,000 years
Service Dogs Service Dogs are like animal assisted therapy dogs in that they have a specialized task and work with a specific patient in treatment. Service Dogs can fill a variety of roles, ranging from seeing-eye dogs and hearing dogs, to search & rescue and Officer and his K9 partner
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Volume 1, Issue 1
Household Dogs Dogs can do many different things. But one of the most common and popular use of a dog is the house dog. The house dog does not have a daily job besides bringing his master the newspaper, licking his feet and serving as a foot warmer. Household dogs are our friends and lifelong companions. They become a part of the family and are loved just as much as anyone. Most people have a dog in
their house and have felt that special connection that we humans have with dogs. Dogs can be a shoulder to cry on, a comforting presence, or just someone to talk to. Have you ever noticed how your dog seems to understand you and know what your saying? This is an example of the relationship and bond that we develop with our dog. Household dogs also have health benefits. They make the owners go
outside more often, enjoy the fresh air and take a walk. They are always ready to play and can give you a break from work and relieve stress. Dogs are always happy to see you. They never tire of your presence, and if you are gone for no more than a few hours, their reaction when you return can be like you had been gone for years. This kind of enthusiasm is part of the appeal of the dog.
A type of dog called a Vizsla enjoying himself with his owners shoe
“Anyone can sign up their dog to be a service dog and begin spreading some joy
What Can You Do? You don’t have to give up your social life and career to volunteer you and your dog for therapy. Anyone can join and apply and become a part of the therapy dog program. Simply contact on of the many therapy dog organizations whether they be national
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or local. Once you are accepted into the program, you and your dog will visit hospitals and nursing homes, lighting up patients faces with joy. C.H.A.M.P. Assistance Dogs is an therapy dog organization here in St. Louis that offers a program
where you and your dog can go to elementary schools and read to children. The dog helps to create a relaxed environment where the kids can be themselves and get them excited about reading.
A dog and volunteer participating in the reading program
MICDS
Bibliography Gay, Micheal. Magz. Digital image. Izzy. Micheal Gay, 8 Jan. 2008. Web. 18 Nov. 2009. <http://www.izzy.net/~michaelg/ VIZSLA.htm>. Hirst, Kris K. "Dog History." Archaeology. About.com. Web. 22 Nov. 2009. <http://archaeology.about.com/od/domestications/qt/ dogs.htm>. Kristie. Therapy Dog Help Kids Read. Digital image. Dogs. The Fun Times Guide, 13 Sept. 2009. Web. 19 Nov. 2009. <http:// dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/2008/09/therapy_dog_certification.php>. Tuttle, Tina L. "Therapy Dogs; Fascinating Facts." Amazines. Amazines, 30 Oct. 2008. Web. 23 Nov. 2009. <http:// www.amazines.com/Pets/article_detail.cfm/658334?articleid=658334>. Unkown. Sabian. Digital image. St. Joseph Medical Center. Catholic Health Initiatives, 2009. Web. 19 Nov. 2009. <http:// www.sjmcmd.org/NewsEvents.aspx?id=3056>. Unkown. Yellowstone Wolf. Digital image. Home Of The YellowStone Wolf. YellowStoneWolf.com. Web. 18 Nov. 2009. <http:// www.yellowstonewolf.com/Wolf147M.html>.
Resources Therapy Dogs International: 88 Bartley Road Flanders, NJ 07836 Phone: (973) 252-9800
http://www.tdi-dog.org/OurPrograms.aspx?Page=Home+Visits
C.H.A.M.P Assistance Dogs4910 Parker Rd Florissant, MO 63033 Phone: (314) 653-9466 http://www.champdogs.org/ The Complete Book Of Dog CareBy Ulrich Klever History Of Domestication of Animalshttp://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ab57
DefinitionsSeeing Eye Dog- a dog that has been specially trained to lead or guide a blind person in walking about.
Police Dog- A dog trained to aid the police, as in tracking criminals or detecting controlled substances.