I have now been sick for three weeks and counting. (See the post Sick as a Dog.) After seeing numerous specialists and staring at the possibility of some pretty unpleasant diagnoses, I still feel in good spirits about the whole thing.

Why? When I come home from a doctor’s offices, arms bruised from having vials of blood drawn, when I wake up from a nap with chills and fevers, my Louis is there to give me slobbery kisses, comfort me, snuggle with me and generally just be a warm body next to me.

The healing power of pets is not a new concept. According to statistics, a study of 92 patients hospitalized in coronary care units for angina or heart attack found that those who owned pets were more likely to be alive a year later then those who did not. The study found that only 6 percent of patients who owned pets died within one year compared with 28 percent of those who did not own pets (info from holisticonline.com).

Our interactions with other people, even those we love, can often aid in stress reduction. However, human interaction is complex and peppered with expectations and unpredictable outcomes.

Pet therapy is becoming increasingly popular amongst senior citizens, the mentally ill and terminally ill patients. With animals, interaction is simple. They coax out of us mutual nurturing feelings and with our pets, there is no judgement. We can let go of our own hangups as we are unconditionally accepted by our animal friends, resulting in a reduction of loneliness. Anyone who has had the flu or even a minute bout with depression can attest to the lonesome feelings that arise within us when we are suffering. Compare that to those who suffer from serious and chronic health issues!

Pets also induce relaxation. By negating negative emotions, our pets truly have the power to help us heal, as even in the most dire of circumstances, positivity is a proven pathway to wellness.

Technically referred to as Animal Assisted Therapy, dogs can become certified as Therapy Dogs, trained to provide attention and comfort while working in a variety of different environments with people who can benefit.

Dogs can:

• lower blood pressue
• elevate moods
• supply social interaction
• owners of dogs get more exercise then their non dog-owning counterparts

The merit of pet ownership is tremendous, but interaction in a therapeutic setting is also enough to warrant what has become an integral part of many therapeutic programs across the country.

The dogs themselves also benefit! Our furry pals serve a variety of functions in our society, as seeing eye dogs, police dogs, bomb or drug sniffing dogs, herding, search and rescue and more. Working stimulates a dog’s senses and helps to fufill their original and primary function as working human companions.

Dogs are meant to work, by giving them a job, even if its more along the lines of obedience training, agility competition, playing vigorous games of fetch or whatever seems to suit your dog’s personality and breed, enables the dog to fulfill this instinct, resulting in a calmer and more balanced pet.

If your dog’s temperament is suited to being a therapy dog, check out the following links below and don’t hesitate to volunteer.

Everybody wins!

therapydogs.com

therapydogsinternational.com

Valentine’s dog toy available at www.sassydog.com

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