Canines bring comfort to those in crisis
Therapy dogs have been playing a vital role in reassuring those involved in crisis situations, most recently visiting victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in Connecticut.
The canines are part of the Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) K9 Comfort Dogs team lead by Tim Hetzner from Illinois, also where the team is based. Nine specially trained golden retrievers and their handlers travelled to Newtown almost immediately after the incident occurred on December 14.
The K9 teams spent a few days visiting schools, churches, activity centres and private homes in the community. They only visit where they are invited and are careful to let people approach the dogs instead of vice versa, in case anyone is afraid of or allergic to the animals.
One boy confided in a comfort dog and was able to talk about what happened in his classroom that day. His parents said this was more than he had been able to share with them. A girl who had been unable to speak since the shootings finally started talking to her mother again after petting one of the comfort dogs. A group of teenagers began to open up to each other and discuss their fear and grief as they sat stroking the same animal.
The dogs are also used to reassure victims of natural disasters, including the more recent Superstorm Sandy. They also travel to nursing homes to brighten the days of the patients. Hetzner said the idea came to him after seeing how well students responded to therapy dogs after a school shooting at Northern Illinois University in 2008.
The response to the dogs has been overwhelmingly positive, according to Hetzner. "A lot of times, kids talk directly to the dog," he said. "They're kind of like counsellors with fur. They have excellent listening skills, and they demonstrate unconditional love. They don't judge you or talk back."
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
