|
 |
A dream existed for some years, combining the natural qualities of the animal to help people in difficulty ...
Few people in our entourage supported this idea a little extravagant, people are often described as mild dreamers.
But many questions remained: how to integrate animals in an accompaniment, which to choose, how to respect and how to educate them.
In sum, we had a dream and the certainty that it would become something wonderful.
Today, we live this dream and few people have this chance.
We are grateful every day for this achievement.
The Zoothérapie is not a pain, but can be a generator of smiles and memories.
Since December 2003, the centre of pet occurs within various institutions (EMS; centres ventilated; detention centre; homes for people who suffer from various disabilities). And since July 2004 we also operate within the palliative care unit of the hospital in Aubonne. In our interventions, we have been led to meet several patients with a history of each different life.
The animal is not seen as intrusive and allows a contact facility. Zoé our dog Léonberg Cross has several times been able to interact directly with the patient so discreet and has helped to build a friendship.
The intervention of animals allows families of patients to initiate dialogue on their suffering and to revive the memory positive moments experienced in common.
As that social life disappears, because of the illness of the individual for example, the environment animal may become very important. Why? Because animals are capable of acceptance, attention and unconditional love, without limit.
The link that exists between when the older person and such an animal can be stronger and deeper than at any time of life.
The pet dog
The dog who will work in pet therapy has no race or size preference, they are all welcome.
We work with different populations (young children, adolescents, prisoners, elderly) and various disorders. It is obvious that we are not seeking the same dog for all these activities. While a dynamic dog will quite place with adolescents, it is inappropriate to work in a retirement home.
What we need to intervene with his dog, is knowing perfectly and so anticipate their reactions.
The ideal dog is a dog well-balanced, healthy with a highly developed sensitivity that allows it to know what attitude to adopt in what situation.
He must appreciate contact with humans.
It must also possess a certain ease of learning, because he will be asked to know quite command.
When is it unwise to work with his pet dog?
We may encounter various problems that make it would be unwise to work with a dog.
Our rule is never to force an animal to work, it must have the choice to come or not, and our role is to protect him and the patients. Sometimes, the enthusiasm of a dog is very strong and despite the fact that the logic tells us not to take with us he can express his desire too much…
Let me give you an example, my dog work was overthrown by a driver and had a head injury, so the vet told us to keep quiet few weeks. Only then, it became crazy to see that it was another dog who came with me. I was bored, because the excitement in which it was based does not so much, but it was excluded from the requested during an intervention. Finally, I opted to take it with me and leave under a table or beside a person, and she was able to stay calm and she learned to better deal with envy.
A dog that evil can become a dangerous part of its unexpected reactions. That is why only dogs healthy are selected.
An aggressive dog will NEVER accepted.
Some subjects are fearful and that fear can be overcome after the education that is given, it is rare to happen to make them quite happy in their work. The same problem arises with dogs too emotional that we often end up sick.
I think I still have to clarify one point: you do not buy a dog for a pet to work, it would put too much pressure and vouerait the work to failure. We buy a dog because it wants to share her life with him and he can show special provisions for work in pet therapy. The dog is not an object!
In the end, there is little elected for many aspirants.
The education of a pet dog:
The dog must have at least basic education (seated, land, you stay). The social development must be made very carefully. It will be called to rub people very different and it should not be an obstacle to his work. He will meet stairs snail, wheelchairs, canes and will have to borrow lifts…
My playground is preferred department stores or have found almost everything including tantalizing smells that would quickly divert the attention of a dog.
I also teach tolerance and patience… Being in reverse brushed hair or roll on the tail is not natural for dogs. And yet it can happen, there must be used and accepted. All this takes time, a lot of time and request to have with you always a bag full of reward.
Thereafter, I work with volunteers who play the role of a sick person and I can and try my dog and lead safely. For us it is also the last time to know what are the needs of our crew and possibly guide dogs to expectations.
No dog is perfect, the important thing is to know its "defects". My dog tends to give the leg which can hurt. I therefore installs on a chair with a record deal to the person in this way it gives paw on record. Now I've learned it "gives the head," and I avoid it wants to give the leg and it's pretty nice when it raises its head gently against someone.
© Helena Tesauri 01.2005 |
|  |
|
