Chihuahuas may not be the most obvious choice for a therapy dog. But a few years ago we met Georgie the chihuahua who was a certified therapy dog and regularly visited people in hospital.
So, what does it take to become a therapy dog, does your chi have what it takes?
According to ‘Pets as Therapy’ there are around 4,500 PAT dogs. They visit nursing homes, hospices, special needs schools, or even if allowed to, rehab facilites similar to Arista Recovery and drug rehabltiation centers, basically any environment where people might benefit from a visit.
ThreaPaws is another organisation who takes animals into care homes to engage with the elderly.
How Visiting Dogs Help People.
If you own a dog, you already know the joy of having him in your life. The unconditional love and loyalty. He can read your moods and instinctively knows when you need a hug. A therapy dog can take that natural infinity with people and bring comfort to others.
Being in a nursing home may mean that an elderly person may have had to give up their dog, and a friendly visit from your dog will bring back some of the joy of being able to stroke and fuss a pet.
While CBD oil UK law means that people can get something that could help their mental health by themselves, it doesn’t help to bring them out into the world and encourage interaction. Your chihuahua, on the other hand, may be able to make better contact with someone who has become lonely and isolated and help lift depression. Or, get a person to talk about their past by bringing back memories about their own pets.
Connecting with People
People who have dogs talk to other people who love dogs. I know this is true as I’ve seen it happen. We were down in Cornwall in a café and Minnie went and sat next to an elderly lady and put her head in the lady’s lap. She was thrilled to bits and she started to talk about her own dogs, getting out pictures of the Greyhounds she kept in the past. I really believe Minnie could connect with her in a way that people couldn’t.
Reaching out to people is not just about making contact with the elderly or sick. The Kennel club also run a Bark and Read programme that encourages reluctant readers in school to read to a dog. This may sound daft but some children find reading to adults intimidating. Dogs don’t mind if you make a mistake.
How does your dog become a therapy dog?
To be eligible for pet therapy, your dog must be over 9 months old, and be fit and healthy and get on well with other people. He will need to be able to cope with being petted and touched and not be too excitable or barky.
PAT will also do a temperament assessment and they will be looking for a dog that is:
Friendly
Well behaved
Obedient
Walk on a relaxed lead.
Visits to an establishment typically lasts an hour and can be tiring for a dog so it is important that you are in-tune with your dog’s body language and can read the signs of when he has had enough.
If you think your Chihuahua has what it takes to be a therapy dog then you can find out more information by following the links below.
TheraPaws (note the capital P, as there are other organisations with similar names)