Indigo 'n dye Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/calm-cuddly-co-therapist-pooch-helps-soldiers-deal-mental-health-issues/ “It’s tough for anybody to go to their mental health provider,” said St. Laurent, who also runs the Therapeutic Service Dog Training Program. “But they need to see mental health providers and if you’re introduced to the mental health community by a fluffy, loving canine, you’d be more inclined to come to the clinic and pet the dog. And one thing leads to another, and you’re in the clinic.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lifequake Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 (edited) Thank you for sharing this. I like the idea of doggy "psych techs" helping people to feel more comfortable about the therapeutic process. My current therapist brings her dog to work every day, and he sleeps in the office next to her chair. He makes me feel more more at ease, and I'm glad to see that there are other mental health practitioners who do this, too. *edit: spelling Edited May 8, 2014 by lifequake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olga Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 I think therapists and psychiatrists really should investigate using dogs in their practices. What a wonderful story! olga Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hagar Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 I like the idea. The only problems I can think of are if people have severe dog allergies or phobias of them or something. But, I'd enjoy it if my pdoc had a dog to play with at appointments . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanderk Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 Somewhat off-topic, but there is a judge in this area who is employing a service dog in cases where children must give testimony in court. The kids are substantially less anxious. Waiting for Woo to chime in..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unstrung Harp Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 I remember when a volunteer therapy dog came to the psych ward when I was inpatient. Everything stopped for 15 minutes, and people lit up like they were children, rushing to pet the dog. It was such a nice thing for the volunteer to do, bringing his puppy there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indigo 'n dye Posted May 8, 2014 Author Share Posted May 8, 2014 I was thrilled to read this article. I know that some civilian therapists, like our own dear Woo, use therapy dogs, but MY GREAT GODDESS, for the military to do so was a sweep. As some of you know I do volunteer work for a nongovermental county organization. I provide a meal, once a month, for 20-40 people who are underemployed, or in transition. Once in a while I take my pack to The Kitchen and it seems that everyone smiles. vanderk, there is a family judge locally who also has a court-room-dog. His name, the dog's that is, is... are you ready?.... . . . , . Junkyard Dog. Yes, the judge is as old as I am and liked James Croce. The dog is affectionately know and JD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanderk Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 (edited) JD, as in Juris Doctor? Trying now to make that noise that Muttly made. (Totally dating myself). Edited May 9, 2014 by vanderk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indigo 'n dye Posted May 9, 2014 Author Share Posted May 9, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Posted May 9, 2014 Share Posted May 9, 2014 I'd love to have a dog at my pdoc's, in the waiting room, to help me with nerves before I went in, and with me when I went in. I'm more nervous with my pdoc than during therapy, with my tdoc. But it'd be great to have at therapy, and during dental appointments too! (One dentist I saw featured had a big dog that would sit beside, or even ON! his patients and they found it very relaxing) Better than nitrous oxide! I think that's great. Thanks for sharing the article. Dogs are such calming animals, and they're so full of love to share. The article did make me tear up a little. *sniffle* But I think its great that dog is helping him with his life. So amazing for him. Dogs are amazing animals. My old roommate and I fostered a miniature poodle (between standard poodle and toy size, not huge, but not tiny) for the Canada Dog Guides program. He was to be for an autistic child, his name was Gekko. At 8 months, he was very well trained, and we enjoyed his company. People would ask to pet him, and we socialized him a lot. He wore a little green vest and we would take him in stores saying he was a service dog in training. We had him for a couple months before he went back to the school.. he was so sweet. It was an amazing experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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