Moon Dance Yorkies Therapy Dogs

    My passion is being a part of a dog therapy team. When I put my Olivia’s therapy dog collar on she knows today is her special day. When we arrive at the center Olivia is eager to go inside. In Florida, I go with a larger group of other therapy dog teams. We stroll the halls and ask people in their rooms if they would like a visit. As we walk Olivia has to be aware of wheel chairs moving around her. As we enter the rehab sections she receives so much attention. For a moment, the person’s pain is gone from the workout the person is doing. Patients really appreciate our therapy dog’s visits. With Olivia being so small I enjoy dressing her up in a cute outfit for each holiday. She sure enjoys all attention. In the summer, we go North Carolina. We visit a small nursing home in Highlands, NC. We are the only registered therapy dog team that comes to visit this center. We were asked to visit the rooms of those who did not get out for other activities. Olivia has learned which rooms we are suppose to go visit. She seems to lead the way. She sure loves her special friends.

    October of 2006, my oldest yorkie, Rosie suffered kidney failure. At that point we could not understand what was causing this horrible reaction. After 3 days in the hospital on IV’s she recovered. I felt there was a reason she was given a second chance at life. At 10 years 9 months she passed her therapy dog skills tests. Her final test was her AKC Canine Good Citizen test, passing with ease. It has given her a new lease on life. So, Olivia and her mother Rosie alternate visits to the nursing homes. With the recall of so many brands of dog foods, I realized that Rosie’s kidneys failed from dog food she was feed.

While attending Florida State University I was a member of Tri Sigma Sorority. As a pledge I was required to do volunteer work at a local children facility. I really did not understand at the time why I was required to volunteer. It was a growing experience. I realized I was learning to give back to my community. Something I have continued to do thru my life. I am now a tester/observer for Therapy Dogs. I am able to bring other dogs and owners into this wonderful program.

From the America Heart Association: A short visit from a therapy dog appears to help improve heart and lung function in a hospitalized people with heart failure. According to a recent study, a brief visit from therapy dog and their handler results in lower blood pressure, less anxiety, and decreased levels of stress hormones among individuals with heart problems.