A Physician's view of Animal Assisted Therapy
A Physician's view of Animal Assisted Therapy
The following appeared as a Letter To The Editor in Volume IX, No. 2 1995 version of the North
American Working Bouvier Journal. It has been posted here with the permission of Marion
Hubbard, editor of the NAWBA Journal & Dr. Georgia Edwards, M.D., it's author. Parts of the
original letter have been omitted/edited for publication here.
Marion Hubbard, Editor
North American Working Bouvier Association
RE:"Bedside Manners-Bouviers as Therapy Dogs"
NAWBA Journal, Vol VIII, No. 2 1994
Dear Marion,
I am pleased to see that the Journal is supportive of the many working venues of the
contemporary urban Bouvier by virtue of your recent publication of the article by Lisa Goldman regarding animal-assisted therapy (ATT). Like other pet owners, I am quite conscious of the psychological and physical benefits provided to me and other family members by my dogs. As physicians (oncologist/cardiologist) with two Therapy Dogs International certified Bouviers, my husband and I are also acutely aware of the beneficial interactions between pets and both the nursing staff and the patients and their families, particularly those with chronic and/ or terminal illnesses which require frequent and lengthy hospitalizations. We also find that having our own dogs visit our hospitalized patients promotes a more personal bond between us and the hospital that facilitates care.
The medical literature contains numerous articles documenting the objective health benefits of pet ownership, including increased longevity due to decreased morbidity from chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and degenerative joint disease; better diet and exercise habits, and improved memory in the elderly. In the hospital and residential care facility setting, therapeutic interactions between animals and patients, family members, and staff occurs on many levels.
Animal-assisted therapy covers a wide range of activities, from a simple visit to a patient to provide company, through providing stimulation and muscle-coordination retraining to a stroke victim by having the patient pet a dog or throw a ball for a game of fetch, to the most sophisticated job of being a seeing-eye, hearing-ear, independent living assistant to the physically handicapped. With the addition of a well-trained handler/health care worker, the mere presence of a dog may facilitate therapeutic interaction with the non-communicative patient, assist in recall of memories and help sequence temporal events in patients with head injuries or chronic degenerative diseases of the brain such as Alzheimer's disease, and teach appropriate behavior patterns to those with emotional disabilities. In addition, members of the hospital staff
who work in highly stressful settings ( Intensive Care Units, Oncology/Hospice facilities ), find the animal visits often ease the tension inherent in their work, and provide the solace for distraught family members ( plus a soft, furry shoulder to cry on and a big pink tongue to lick away the tears ).
On the surface, the practice of medicine by Dr. Dogs looks quite easy. However, it requires a dog of stable temperament and good obedience training to negotiate in and around elevators, escalators, open-tread stairs, revolving doors, wheel chairs, crutches, and IV poles; to place front paws gently on designated disposable towels on a patient's bed; to give a doggy kiss without touching a bandage or IV site; to ignore the bedside commodes, urinary drainage bags, and left-over hospital food on bedside tables; and to always be respectful of patients who may accidentally step on a paw or poke a finger into ears or eyes. Dogs that work with the physically handicapped must also be structurally sound to assist with movement, and have discerning perception regarding their role as protector.
One can become involved with ATT in a number of ways:
1) Local SPCA/animal shelters and obedience/training clubs often visit residential care facilities and nursing homes on a regular basis.
2) Many acute-care hospitals, especially those with extensive rehabilitation services, have their own ATT programs organized by the hospital staff. Dogs are usually required to be more than one year old, have taken novice obedience classes in the community, pass a "personal interview and tour of the hospital" conducted by the staff, and have regular physical examinations.
...I would encourage NAWBA members to give the generous gift of their time and their Bouviers' desire to be of service by participating in an AAT program. It is most rewarding for all involved.
Sincerely,
Georgia Spaulding Edwards, M.D.
Another way one may participate in AAT is by contacting:
Therapy Dogs Incorporated
P.O. Box 2786
Cheyenne, WY 82003
307-638-3223
If you live in the Minneapolis/St.Paul MN area, be sure to check out Bark Avenue
Be sure to check out Dr. Edward's dog's