Therapy Dogs at Christmas

I'm sorry it's been a month since I've posted to this blog; my only excuse is that I've been very busy. Christmas is one of my favorite times of year and I do it up right! smile....

My dogs and I also make quite a few therapy dog visits this time of year - more so than we do during the rest of the year.

Riker, my eight year old Australian Shepherd, is very much as extrovert - to put it nicely! His goal in life is to love people. That means everyone needs lots of enthusiastic love with - if he's allowed - lots of wet, sloppy kisses. Although most adults would prefer to pass ont he kisses, luckliy most kids enjoy the spirit in which the kisses are given. Riker and I have been visiting a day care center for foster children for more than five years. Most of the kids are pre-school age although a few are older. Here, Riker is in his element. Kids can get as much love and kisses as they feel they need.

Although Riker also visits a senior center a couple of times a month, I have to be careful there as he assumes the seniors can be loved as enthusiastically as the kids are; and obviously that's not true. But the Grandmas and Grandpas do appreciate his sweet face and obvious affection.

My youngest Aussie, Bashir, didn't start therapy dog work until recently, at the age of 3. As a younger dog, he didn't want strangers to pet him. Since the Aussie breed standard says that these dogs should be reserved and cautious with strangers, that was fine with me. I let him grow up and mature, and he worked with me in our training classes. However, recently he has shown more of a willingness to go up to people so I began his therapy dog training. I'm glad I did because he is absolutely wonderful with senior citizens.

Bashir is a thinker; he thinks first then does something. Somehow he figured out, even without my help, that he must be very gentle with the people we're visiting and he is. He gives very soft, gentle kisses, and he positions his head under their hands. He's not affected by their state of health, odd movements, or different speech patterns.

Today, Bashir and I visited a very nice facility that was hosting a Christmas tea. The other therapy dogs went into the recreation room where the party was being held so Bashir and I went up and down the hallways, peeking into the other rooms to see who couldn't go to the party. We stopped in and visited quite a few bedridden people or people who just didn't feel like a party and I'm very glad we did.

One gentleman, a retired US Marine Corps SgtMajor, was feeling homesick because of the holidays. When I shared with him that my husband and I were both former Marines, he brightened up. We talked about the Marine Corps, he petted Bashir, and then we talked about dogs. When I left later, he was in much better spirits.

Another gentleman was bedridden and really didn't feel good. But after he petted Bashir, who gave him some genlte kisses on the hand, he smiled and thanked me for coming in to see him.

To me, this is what the spirit of Christmas is all about: sharing with other people. Especially those who may not be as well off as we are. This is the time for giving of ourselves.

If you think that perhaps you would like to train your dog for therapy dog work, listen to our podcasts. One of our up[coming shows will be about therapy dogs and what is required to get your dog certified.

Meanwhile, I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

Liz Palika, with my therapy dogs, Riker and Bashir.