Insight of a Therapy Dog

Cora's presence today at Mayo Chemo and Radiation Department was a challenging one. A young man who is finishing up with his treatments was open about the battle he is fighting with his disease. Cora sensed his weariness and lay at his feet as he petted her on the head. He talked of another Caring Canine who also was there earlier in the week, that recognized his need for comfort and how glad he was that the dogs were there for him. It's long been documented now how animals help people deal with pain, grief, anxiety and the need to touch and be accepted unconditionally. Watching and seeing the interaction of a patient and a therapy dog is sometimes overwhelming. As much as I think I know Cora, she continues to amaze me with her sensitive nature around strangers who are in need of some form of positive interaction. It got me thinking how better the world would be if we all accepted one another as easily as an animal accepts us. We have a lot to learn from God's creatures.

Comments

Origin of Therapy Dogs

Cora the Therapy Dog I have been wondering for a while now just "who" the person was that initiated the concept of therapy dogs. Found this article to be quite informative from "Wikipedia" and wanted to share with all of our readers. "During World War II, under combat operations against Japanese forces on the island of New Guinea, Corporal William Wynne came into possession of a young adult Yorkshire Terrier abandoned on the battlefield. He named the female dog Smoky . Smoky accompanied Wynne on numerous combat missions, provided comfort and entertainment for troops, and even assisted the Signal Corps in running a telegraph cable through an underground pipe, completing in minutes what might have been a dangerous, three-day construction job which would have exposed men and equipment to enemy bombers. Smoky's service as a therapy dog began when Corporal Wynne was hospitalized for a jungle disease. As Wynne recovered, Wynne's Army pals br

Soothing Moment

Cora missed out on visiting friends today at Mayo because of an upset tummy. But tonight she is relaxing with two of her favorite things, her "fleece buppie bed" and Poppy's guitar music. Ahhh, life is good.

Happy Valentine's Day

http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d7a41774d7a6b344d6a593d0d0a&blogview=true The link above is a short slideshow with one of my favorite songs, my favorite dog and my heart's work as a Therapy Dog handler. Happy Valentine's Day to Everyone, may the heart of an animal touch you today!

Cora's Magic

Search This Blog