Sporting a sky blue bandanna, Stacy strolls calmly down the brightly-lit hallway. Her demeanor is courteous and patient; she is not in any rush to reach her destination. A woman reaches out toward Stacy to touch her. Another woman croons to Stacy: “Are you a good girl?”
Stacy’s nametag glitters in the fluorescent light, but she does not answer. Stacy does not respond because she is only four-years-old, and she is a dog! Stacy’s name tag identifies her as an official “therapist” at Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation. An Australian shepherd mix, Stacy is one of the well-trained animals participating in their thriving pet therapy program.
Pets (and their owners) are part of a new wave of therapeutic offerings around the nation. Chattanooga offers pet therapy programs at both Siskin Hospital and at T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital. Pet therapy can give sick children a reason to get out of bed, an opportunity for a reluctant patient recovering from an accident to show how to walk the dog, or a reason to stretch out a tired arm to pat soft fur. Owner Dawn Grubbs says when asked about her beautiful pet Stacy: “She gets excited when she arrives at the door of Siskin, but then mellows as she makes her rounds to visit the people.”
Under a sunny large window, Poobah perches luxuriantly. At a healthy fourteen pounds, Poobah rests tan brown and white paws on a soft-sided, high table. A Scottish fold cat, Poobah’s ears are at times folded neatly in place. Poobah has been relaxing in this way for over an hour, patiently enjoying the soothing petting, and crooning, an almost animated conversation with clients who venture over for a visit. States patient Mrs. Harriet Stewart: “I love dogs and cats. I cannot take care of them myself any more, so it is great to have them here (at Siskin). I prefer the dogs, though. Cats get under my feet!”
It seems that a person could hardly find a better-behaved cat than one who volunteers as a “pet therapist” at Siskin. Owner David Humber places a fabric-lined basket on the floor. He beckons to his cat, who after eyeing him for several seconds, slowly stands, stretches and strolls across the room to hop right into her basket bed. Men and women in the room smile; they know a courteous cat when they see one!
Lisa Morgan, CTRS, is the coordinator of the department of recreational therapy at Siskin Rehabilitation Hospital. She sees how pets can have an enormous impact in the recovery process of people with varied disabilities. She sees a great connection between people and animals. “Pets,” states Ms. Morgan, “can bring out more in people than do some of our structured activities.”
Ms. Morgan and other therapists at Siskin have found that pets can serve as a natural aid in working with patients on their social skills. They assist with cognitive rehabilitation and memory as a patient might be asked a question about a cat or dog, a reminder of a pet from home. Patients who have suffered from significant strokes which affect speech will find that some automatic speech may come back when talking with a pet. Somehow, pets are able to provide a sense of comfort, warmth and unconditional love that make them easy chatting buddies. They bring out the best in us. The opportunity to see, hold, and talk with a pet aids in the healing of the emotional self. We all are proud to share pet stories from our pasts.
Across the block at T.C. Thompson’s Children’s Hospital, FiFi Ginsberg oversees an eight-year-old program of pet therapy for young hospitalized patients. Looking up at the big bulletin board, any child, parent, or employee can check out the schedule of which dog will be visiting at what time on a given day. Any child over the age of two is eligible for a dog visit, though a parent of a younger toddler may request a doggie visit as well.
The major focus of pet therapy visits here is with oncology patients, whose hospital stays last longer than that of a typical patient. When a dog and its owner come for their therapy visit, FiFi spends time chatting with and petting the dog before taking it upstairs to rooms. Even dogs who have been coming to the hospital for years receive an introductory greeting from FiFi. All kinds of dogs volunteer at Children’s Hospital, from standard poodles to labs, bichons to boxers. The dogs frequently dress up for holidays, sporting Halloween costumes, holiday lights, or Valentine attire. Dogs love to surprise patients with funny hats. They give out flowers, cards, or even photos of themselves. If the patient chooses, the dog may join the patient up on the bed!
You might be wondering if you have the perfect pet that could make a real difference in people’s lives. What if you are interested in serving as a community volunteer to provide pet therapy with your pet? Currently, only Siskin Rehabilitation Hospital and T.C.Thompson Children’s Hospital offer pet therapy in Chattanooga, though Ms. Morgan hopes that the concept will take off into more venues over time. There is a careful screening process for therapy animals and their owners who are interested in becoming volunteers.
If you are wondering how your pet would act as a therapy animal, try taking your animal to pet stores to see how your pet acts around other people and animals. Socialize your pet as often as possible! Your pet needs to be comfortable and gentle with all kinds of people in all kinds of situations.
Observing a pet therapy session in action, you will find animals of excellent temperament relaxing with a variety of people. You will hear memorable pet stories from both clients and staff members. You will witness well-mannered dogs and cats striding aside a teenager or an octogenarian. States Mrs. T.J. McRae, “That big dog lay down beside me just so I could pet its belly. This brings a smile to everybody’s face.”
Your next step is to call Lisa Morgan at 634-1200 or FiFi Ginsberg at 778-5907 to tell about your pet and that you are interested in volunteering in the animal therapy program. Both hospitals require that your dog or cat be tested to qualify for the program. This test of obedience, predictable behaviors and social skills is performed at regular intervals twice a year, at no cost to owners, by a licensed Chattanooga veterinarian. There is always a need for more volunteers!
It also takes a certain kind of pet owner to work with your pet as a volunteer team. Owners must have the ability to see beyond a child who is sick or an adult with a disability. One must have the ability to show comfort around sick children, people with mental limitations, or physical disabilities. One must be able to see sad situations and remember that you are there to bring happiness to patients and their families. Pet owners must be able to talk to patients as equals, to chat with a child at his or her level, to have down-to-earth conversation with children, parents and grandparents. The purpose of pet therapy, after all, is to help heal, love and support patients.
After an hour of being petted, coddled and adored, what does canine Stacy do? She sprawls languorously in the middle of the hallway floor, belly available for any loving that might happen to come her way. She’s made her rounds.