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

A furry Blessing!

Today at Mayo the spouse of a patient commented "What a God send you have been for Me "! T he past few week s Cora has been a source of light for her in a dark time . Re flecting back on that makes me realize even more the need and benefits that therapy animals bring to everyone that they encounter. Often times the caregivers hold a lot of emotion and turmoil inside of themselves, watching their loved ones fig ht this disease. Cora has been there for them , providing a few mo ments of relief by helping to ease the stress. It's good to hear the laughter and see the smiles that surface when we arrive. Cora senses their need for calm and as you can see in the picture above, gives a reassuring touch . What a Bles sing !

Reflections

So many questions today at Mayo Clinic regarding Cora's "job" as a therapy dog. I looked at Cora this time to supply the answers. Silly as that seems, it doesn't take long to realize that her "job description" could fill a whole page. To the woman that needed her dog fix because she had to leave her beloved pet hundreds of miles away, she was a "companion". For the mother of a young girl who wanted to be a vet one day, Cora was a "teaching tool". The "entertainer" part of her then kept a waiting room full of patients and their families grinning and laughing. Showing her calm mannerism to a prospective therapy dog parent made her a good "role model". Behind the scenes, the "therapist" in her licked at a teary eyed face that was remembering a loved one. One dog doing the job of so many, that's a therapy dog.

Contest Time

Cora needs your votes please! For all of her friends that have enjoyed following Cora during her visits as a Therapy dog, please take just a minute to vote for her while she is on vacation! The site is listed below and you have to just register your email to vote. Cora sends a big paws up to her friends! Vote now please, contest only runs this week and she has a chance of winning some extra treats! http://dotheshore.com/photocontest/cora

Cora's Magic

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