The life of a therapy dog can be very exciting. We get to go visit lots of different people in several facilities. Our work is mostly emotional support, promoting the healing and rehabilitation benefits of the animal/human bond. Sometimes it can involve physical therapy such as encouraging a patient to brush or pet me, thus mobilizing their arms and hands repetitively.

Mom has been told by one of the physical therapists that when I come in the room, everyone livens up and does their therapy real good. One person in particular wouldn't cooperate with the therapist and would fall asleep in the chair. When I came in, the person would get wide awake and watch me visit from person to person, and did their therapy.... but when I left the room, the person would go back to sleep. (grin)

There were times Mom and I would approach a room, and see a person sitting in a wheel chair in the dark with their eyes closed. It was a sad lonely sight. But when we knock on the door for permission to enter and visit, their eyes open wide and their facial expression changes to one of great joy. There were even times the people would shed tears out of joy seeing us come in.

For just a brief visit, people's spirits are livened up, their faces brighten, their eyes shine. They forget their pains and troubles. With disfigured arthritic hands that can't feed themselves, they pet me and during that moment their hands don't seem to hurt. Some thank us for taking the time to visit them, some shed tears when we have to go.... but we promise to come back and that makes them feel better.

Mom has lots of stories she could tell, some sad, some humorous. But this is a wonderful gift to be able to visit people and share the bond of the love of pets. Mom strongly feels no one should ever be denied the joys of a relationship with an animal, that is why she started me in this work. Since I have a party-girl attitude, I love doing it too! And also... it gives great publicity for German Shepherds!