Dogotherapy is still gaining popularity. The dog wags its tail at the sight of us, allows it to be stroked, and licks its hand. It just is. Faithful and devoted. Often, close contact with a dog turns out to be the best therapy. Dog therapy helps both children and adults.

Dogotherapyis gaining more and more recognition.Dogastherapistworks great. He loves us unconditionally, expects nothing, does not judge anything. He just wants to get him out, and it's in our best interest. Regular walks (who of us would voluntarily walk in the park in the rain?) Strengthen the condition, improve circulation, joints, muscles, respiratory and immune systems. Doctors often advise patients after a heart attack or stroke to take the dog home. He'll be better than the therapist. Importantly, it will help you find the joy of life. For broken and depressed people, the dog allows them to stay in touch with the world, and thus recover faster.

Dog therapy: prescription dog

The importance of daily contact with the animal has been shown in a study by Dr. Erika Friedman of the University of Pennsylvania, who observed patients hospitalized for a heart attack or coronary disease. The fact that a dog or a cat is waiting at home was more motivating to fight for life than the presence of a spouse or family support! In the USA, therapy with the participation of animals, the so-called petterapy, started in the seventies. Boris Levision, a child psychologist, was the creator of the name and promoter of the method. He noticed that autistic children who could not establish contact with adults responded to dogs with curiosity. Pets are allowed in American nursing homes, they can be brought to hospitals. With us, it is impossible, which is a pity, because, as Kenneth R. Pelletier, professor of clinical medicine, claims, after visiting the dog in retirement homes, the inmates' blood pressure and heart rate drop. There are no such symptoms after a human visit.

In Poland, the use of dogs in work with disabled people was the first to get interested in Maria Czerwińska, who is also the creator of the name "dog therapy". Few people are involved in this method for the time being. They work as volunteers, going to rehabilitation centers for people with mental and motor disabilities. You can also make an appointment with themindividual. Nina Bekasiewicz, co-founder of the "Friend" Foundation for Help for Disabled People, together with two friends developed a special program, which consists of movement exercises, as well as improving concentration and memory in patients.

Dog in human life

What does dog therapy look like

- As a rule, classes are held in groups of four or five. But you have to work differently with each patient. We prepare the program together with the caretakers, rehabilitators and speech therapists from the center - says Nina Bekasiewicz. - Dogs that therapists work with are very cheerful. This has an extremely positive effect on the well-being of patients and encourages them to be active. During exercise, for example, they have to pass under, over the dog, they learn to give commands. When the dog obeys their command, they gain self-confidence. However, if the child is unable to perform a specific exercise, we suggest a similar, easier one.

A mentally retarded girl with severe movement limitations can only exercise with a black Labrador Bima. She loves him so much that he will do whatever we recommend to hug him. Since the dogs appeared in kindergarten, her mother stopped having problems dressing and taking her daughter to classes. During the therapy, we also teach how to care for a dog, how to feed it, brush it and take it for a walk. For all patients, caring for an animal is a science of life.

Dog therapy takes time

Some people, especially those with autism, do not like the touch, color, smell or size of the dog. They should not be forced into anything. Therapists try various tricks to get the dog closer to such a child. Sometimes it takes a long time. When successful, you will have to continue to monitor your child's reactions as their attitude towards the dog may change. - That's why we never let the dogs off the leash - says Mrs. Nina. - Before the classes, they are bathed, brushed, their teeth are brushed and their claws are cut. Parents or guardians fill out a questionnaire, from which we know what the patient is afraid of, whether he has auditory hypersensitivity (the dog cannot bark at him). Dog therapy is not possible in case of allergy to hair. You can talk about visible effects of the classes after two months. Individuals give more, because you work with one person all the time, you only need to take into account their ability to concentrate. Sometimes it is a huge success to focus your child's attention on the dog … for just two minutes!

Who will dog therapy help?

It is recommended for: children with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, mentally handicapped people, patients with schizophrenia, arthritis, muscle atrophy, eyesight or hearing damage, suffering from Alzheimer's disease. FROMDogs are also helped by epileptics (specially trained quadrupeds can sense the oncoming attack, so they can take medications at the right time) and diabetes. Dog therapy classes help to: stimulate the senses: hearing, sight, touch, exercise concentration, trigger spontaneous activity, improve motor skills, show feelings, develop independence, communicate with the environment, enrich the resources of words.

- Tomek draws not only cars but also animals - says Agnieszka Faszyńska, mother of 6-year-old Tom. - My son is an autistic child. He attends an integrated kindergarten and has rehabilitation at the Synapsis Foundation. Once a week, he meets the Labrador Bim and his guardian at our house for half an hour. For the first month, he was very scared. Now he strokes Bim, takes off the leash and puts it on, feeds it from his hand. He is still afraid of loud barking, but gradually makes sure that he is in control of the animal. In his drawings, apart from people, houses and cars, there are animals. And of course the dog. Tomek speaks more and better. He talks about Bima and playing with him. Unexpectedly, he has better and better contact with our cat, he accosts her less often and cares for her more. And this is an obvious merit of dog therapy.

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Alternative medicine