friends of the hound is a greyhound adoption group committed to the rehabilitation& rescue of Greyhounds in NSW |
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Friends of the Hound Pets as Therapy Program We are delighted to tell you about our Pets as Therapy Program. It will provide a trained volunteer and retired Greyhound to visit people to bring fun, joy, physical, social and mental stimulation. We will be available to visit: hospitals, rehabilitation centres, nursing homes, assisted care living, carers groups - you name it!
Research overwhelmingly shows that regular contact with a friendly pet gives physical, psychological, physiological and emotional benefits and generally raises morale. The benefits from interaction with a friendly pet are many and include: lowering of blood pressure, physiotherapy type actions (patting, stroking, brushing, bending, feeding, walking, etc) plus the alleviation of loneliness and the opportunity for people to express affection with a furry friend, with a kiss and cuddle. For more information on the benefits, you can visit the following websites: We can provide you with copies of research papers should you require additional information. You can also For quotes from diversional therapists and volunteers about the benefits, please
WHAT TRAINING DO OUR HUMAN VOLUNTEERS RECEIVE? Our human volunteers are selected for their community spirit, cheerful disposition and availability to offer a committed, professional and reliable service. They receive an initial training program and then continual on-going training and support from Velma's Pets As Therapy Training School. They are trained to:- • work closely with the facility's contact person, e.g. Diversional Therapist, Recreation and Activities Officer, Physiotherapist, Behavioural Therapist, Occupational Therapist, • be aware of the health and safety rules and regulations within each facility. • safely approach and encourage interactions and communication, with a pet, with interested residents, • have a foundation knowledge of the various health challenges, injuries and illnesses of adults and children often found in a health care facility, • confidently and safely interact with people who are: sight, hearing or speech impaired; physically, intellectually, stroke or dementia challenged; frail aged. • be aware of each individual's needs and requirements regarding pet interaction so each individual receives the most psychological, emotional, physical and social benefit and enjoyment from the pet.
WHO ARE OUR PET VOLUNTEERS? Our 'pet' volunteers are retired or rejected racing greyhounds that have found new homes through Friends of the Hound. They are assessed for healthiness, friendliness, temperament and obedience by a veterinarian, and trained for working gently and safely as a pet visitor in a health care facility. Pet volunteers remain on a leash, unless otherwise arranged for therapeutic reasons.
Greyhounds are perfect therapy dogs due to their outgoing and friendly nature, gentle and docile disposition, and quiet manner. Their tall stature makes them easily accessible to the bedridden and people in wheelchairs. Greyhounds are very popular as Pets as Therapy dogs in both the United Kingdom and the United States of America . We hope to start a trend here too! Did you know: • Greyhounds were used as therapy dogs immediately after 9/11 to provide comfort to the many rescue workers and the many families waiting to hear news regarding their loved ones near Ground Zero. • Greyhounds are used in a number of reading programs with young children. Children who are not confident readers "read" to the greyhounds and with the assistance of the handler "explain" the story to the greyhound. These programs have proved successful in the United States . WE OFFER THREE PROGRAMS: 1. Walk Through 2. Attend a Designated Area 3. Specific Therapy Program The aim can be to motivate the individual to actively participate in their therapy. For example limb movement and manipulation can be promoted as the individual is encouraged to hold a brush and brush the pet, walk the dog on a lead - walking or in a wheel chair etc; and promote laughter, fun, social interaction, mental stimulation, develop a rapport between the pet and the individual. This program is useful for individuals who are unable to respond to usual activities or therapies. WHAT ARE OUR FEES? We are a self-funding program run by volunteers. We ask for our service fee to be paid in advance where possible. Our fee is $30.00. This fee contributes towards the running costs of this program, in particular public liability insurance. If you are considering joining our program, we will send a representative to meet you to discuss the full details of how the program works and what you wish to achieve from it. MORE INFORMATION ON PETS AS THERAPY For more information you can visit the following websites: Velmas Pets as Therapy
Kane getting used to interacting with people using walking frames.
Following are some quotes from diversional therapists and volunteers about Velma's Pets as Therapy visiting pets interacting with residents at health care facilities:- "Mrs C. responded to Benny (terrier cross) by moving her arms that haven't moved for some time." "The best experiences from today's visit with Bonnie (border collie), was seeing the smiles on people's faces." "It was a great day. All the residents had a wonderful time at Cricket's (golden retriever) birthday party, eating, drinking and playing with Cricket. We were sorry when it was time for Cricket to leave." "It was wonderful watching Mrs R. walking Shayna (St Bernard) up the hallway and learning from Louise the volunteer how to command the dog to sit. Mrs R's face lit up with joy to know she was in control of such a powerful dog." "The best thing is to watch the resident's expressions when they saw Tyson and Boofy (Shih Tzu). They all very much loved the visit and are looking forward to the next one." "An excellent response from most residents especially from Elizabeth who talked and smiled for the first time in ages." "Smiles and animated expressions from our frail and immobile residents. Our residents greatly appreciate and enjoy their visits from Umbi and Dotti (Maltese terriers)." "A usually quiet and subdued resident was animated when she patted the dog." "The dogs really lit up the residents faces with smiles." "My best experience was seeing the happy faces and generally big joy." "Lots of interaction by all residents. The dogs have now won over all residents. So all participate which is wonderful." "The dogs were great therapy especially for Roma and Hilda who cheered up tremendously." "Mary had memory recall for the first time by remembering the dogs names and told me to take a holiday so she could look after my dogs for a week." "The residents loved the visits from the dogs. They cuddled them and talked to them." "Great interaction from residents - throwing the ball, brushing, kissing and cuddling the dogs. Marge was very talkative for a change and said that she loved the dogs." "The best experience for me was when the lady who never responds to anything, opened her eyes and held Benny's (terrier cross) paw for some minutes." "The residents eyes lit up when the dogs walked in to the room." "The best experience was the smile on the bed-bound lady. She rarely speaks at all but we got her to say a few words" RECENT RESEARCH AND STUDY HAS SHOWN THERE ARE MANY BENEFITS TO BE GAINED BY THE REGULAR INTERACTION WITH PETS. . Medication costs dropped from an average of $3.80 per patient per day to just $1.18 per patient per day in new nursing home facilities in New York, Missouri and Texas that have animals and plants as an integral part of the environment. (Montague, 1995). . Pets decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation (Kidd, 1994). . Seniors who own dogs go to the doctor less than those who do not. . Dogs are preventive and therapeutic measures against everyday stress (Allen, 1991). . Pet owners have lower blood pressure. (Friedman, 1983, Anderson 1992). . Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol ( Anderson , 1992). . Pet owners have better psychological well being (Serpel, 1990). . Pet owners have a higher one year survival rate following coronary heart disease (Friedman, 1980). . Pet owners have better physical health due to exercise with their pets. (Serpel, 1990). . Having a pet may decrease heart attack mortality by 3%. This translates into 30,000 lives saved annually (Friedman, 1980). . 70% of families surveyed reported an increase in family happiness and fun subsequent to pet acquisition. (Cain, 1985). . The presence of a dog during a physical examination decreases stress. (Nadgengast, 1997, Baun, 1998). . In a study of 100 Medicare patients, even the most highly stressed dog owners in the study, had 21 percent fewer physician's contacts than non-dog owners. (Siegel, 1990). (Information taken from Velma's Pets as Therapy Training Course material.)
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