Pet Therapy 101: We ♥ Dogs

With end of term and exams just around the corner, stress levels may be up … wouldn’t things be so much better if you were petting a dog?

U of M health and wellness has called in the canine reinforcements: St. John Ambulance therapy dogs will be here at the university over the next few days. Students, staff, faculty — everyone in the campus community is welcome to stop by for some impromptu pet therapy. Don’t miss it!

>> Also: Scroll down for three easy health and wellness tips from U of M’s health and wellness workshop leader.

St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program will be at U of M these days and times:

Friday April 4, 12:00 to 1:30, Buhler Atrium, Bannatyne Campus
Monday April 7, 11:30 to 1:30, Campo, 1st Floor, University Centre, Fort Garry Campus
Thursday April 10, 11:30 to 1:00, Buhler Atrium, Bannatyne Campus

More about the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program

The St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program is a community based service offered by St. John Ambulance Volunteers. The program started in June 1992 as a pilot program in Peterborough, Ontario and today reaches thousands of people on a regular basis throughout Canada.

Much of the success of the program is directly attributed to the renowned reputation of St. John Ambulance as a charity. St. John Ambulance has been involved in community service for over 900 years, and has recently celebrated its 125th Anniversary in 2008. St. John Ambulance Therapy Dogs have become a familiar sight in hospitals, retirement residences, long-term and short term care facilities. These four-legged volunteers are accepted in most places where a little care and love is greatly appreciated.

Program Details

Activities:

The Therapy Dog program provides an opportunity for patients/residents to:

• Talk with the volunteer and the dog
• Feel, touch, pet, stroke and/or cuddle the dog
• Receive unconditional love from the dog
• Assist with walking the dog on a leash

Impact:

• Through petting, affection, and regular visitation of a dog, patients/residents find peace in the gentle contact with the dog and in its quiet presence. Patients talk more to others, participate in activities, eat and sleep better, smile more. As a result their quality of life is improved.

Other program benefits have been found to include:

• Reducing stress levels
• Lowering blood pressure
• Calming the distressed
• Comforting the despondent
• Distracting the pain-ridden

Volunteer Benefits:

• Community involvement and volunteer satisfaction