seahorse
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Mar 15, 2006, 2:40 AM
Post #13 of 13
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"Therapy dog" is the common term used to describe canines who visit people in hospitals, retirement and nursing homes, mental institutions and schools. Dogs or other animals can be used in a variety of situations, said Dr. J. Keith Festa, vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at St. Francis Hospital. He said there are two distinct functions: animal-assisted activity and animal-assisted therapy. "Activity is where the dog or pet does a meet and greet," Festa said. "It could be in schools, hospitals or nursing homes and is more of an enhancement to [the person's] life." With animal-assisted activity, there is no way to measure the end result. Pets are used in animal-assisted therapy to achieve goals, Festa said, from physical development of motor skills to improving mental health and self-esteem. Dogs like General Tso provide comfort to people for brief periods of time. "You can't separate the body from the mind," Festa said. "When you get that comfort, it takes your mind off your problems. With a better mental attitude, you do better physically. details in www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060122/NEWS01/601220332 Therapy dog requirement : www.tdi-dog.org/tditesting.html Book : THERAPY DOGS: TRAINING YOUR DOG TO REACH OTHERS
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