Behind the Scenes of a Therapy Dog Visit

[jack wang]

You might have seen a therapy dog in a hospital, or you might have read about therapy dogs visiting nursing home residents. If you’ve ever wondered what a therapy dog visit is really like, read on to get a glimpse of what it takes to make therapy dog visits successful.

 

12-24 hours prior to the visit:

 

Give your dog a bath. Facilities and the people in them like clean, odor-free dogs. While bathing, let your hands take inventory of your dog’s body: Any new lumps? Any areas of sensitivity or temperature difference? Any signs of diarrhea or other illness? Noticing these things helps you determine your dog’s physical condition and ability to deal with the stresses of visiting. Observe your dog’s behavior and attitude to make sure she is in a good mood to be visiting strangers. File your dog’s nails so that they are smooth. Clean ears. Gather your visiting equipment. Make sure all visiting equipment is clean, odor free, and in good repair.

 

4 hours prior to the visit:

 

Brush your dog thoroughly. Check again for signs of ill health, ill mood, or external parasites. Brush your dog’s teeth for fresh breath. Give your dog the opportunity to empty herself (go potty). This pre-visit preparation is part of the context of visiting and helps your dog prepare herself for the visit ahead.

 

Immediately prior to the visit:

 

ake your visiting equipment to your vehicle and secure your dog safely for the drive. Give yourself plenty of time to drive to the facility. Take into account possible traffic, so that you arrive feeling relaxed and confident. As soon as you step out of your car with your dog, you are on! Each person you meet in the parking lot sees you as an ambassador for therapy dogs everywhere. Before walking into the facility, find a secluded spot to allow your dog to go potty again. Clean up after your dog. Take several deep breaths and center yourself so that you are fully present in the moment with your dog. Set aside your day and be ready to focus on your dog and the people you’re visiting

 

During the visit:

 

Just inside the facility’s entrance, dry your dog’s coat and feet before starting to see patients. This is rain country, after all! Watch for other animals in the facility. Some animals may live there either roaming freely or in cages. You might meet a service animal for a person with a disability or animals accompanying other visitors. Sign in. Check in with staff members so that they know you’re there and can tell you who is approved to receive a visit. You will probably encounter staff members and visitors

of all ages and ethnicities as well as patients/residents. Your interactions with people help make all your preparations worthwhile! As you’re walking in the hallways, remain hyper-vigilant for possible dangers for your dog. For example, hazards can include things on the floor that your dog considers edible but which you do not want her to eat, healthcare equipment with pieces that poke out at dog level, staff moving quickly and not looking at dog level, or being “mobbed” by lots of people all interested in seeing your dog at once. You will need strong skills at being your dog’s advocate in an environment that is not made for dogs.Remain alert to your dog’s signs of stress. It is stressful to be in a healthcare facility, whether you are there as a patient/resident or a visitor. Your job as your dog’s advocate is to assure that your dog does not become distressed by the people, the interactions, or the environment. This takes energy and constant awareness on your part! Give your dog little breaks and/or water as needed. While conversing with others, remember that sometimes silence is golden. A meaningful visit is not always filled with

conversation. Remember to check in with your dog to make sure your dog is having a good time. Be prepared to graciously end an interaction with a particular person or to end your visit entirely if your dog becomes stressed. Take time to feel good about how people responded to your dog. Complete the facility’s documentation form telling about the interactions you had during your visit, and sign out.

 

Immediately after the visit:

 

Walk your dog to a secluded area and give her an opportunity to relieve herself again. Lavish her with

praise and pride in her wondrousness. Enjoy the warmth of knowing that you and your dog made a difference in people’s lives today, whether you were able to see it when it happened or not. (Handlers rarely know at the time when they have made a difference, yet they may hear years later about how much a visit meant to someone.) Give your dog her favorite after-visit activity. This might mean some aerobic exercise or it might mean a nap. It almost always means a treat.

 

24-48 hours after the visit:

 

Watch your dog for signs of stress. Is your dog more tired or more wired than usual? If so, your dog might be showing you that the visit was quite stressful. Review what happened during the visit and your dog’s responses, and do some problem solving about ways you could make visits better for your dog.

Aeman led pet supplies company offer a wide range of lighted dog collars, leashes and harnesses

 

 

 

[Geordie]

Does the bathing rule also apply to breeds of dogs that aren't supposed to be washed often? Would brushing them well be just as good?