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George the Therapy Dog: A Tale of Love, Healing, and Resilience

In the tapestry of our lives, there are certain threads that stand out, woven with love, compassion, and boundless joy. One of these threads is my beloved dog, George, a registered and trained therapy dog who has brought immeasurable happiness to countless lives for over a decade.

He’s not just the cutest and sweetest dog; he’s a source of unwavering love and comfort for those in need. Today, I want to share the story of George’s journey, including a recent twist in his path—the diagnosis of a cruciate ligament injury in his left leg.

For more than ten years, George has been a shining beacon of hope and warmth in our community. His kind eyes and gentle demeanor have graced schools, hospitals, and various therapy sessions, where he’s made a profound impact on the lives of many.

From comforting anxious students during exam periods to bringing smiles to the faces of patients facing health challenges, George has been a source of solace and joy to all who have had the privilege of meeting him.

Recently, however, our dear George faced a challenge of his own—a diagnosis of a cruciate ligament injury in his left leg. It was a moment that filled my heart with concern and sadness, knowing that my loyal companion was in pain. But, just as he has brought comfort and healing to others, it’s now our turn to provide him with the care and love he so deserves.

George’s injury has prompted us to take a closer look at his health and well-being, and to explore the best ways to help him on the path to recovery.

While surgery may be an option in the future, for now, we’re focusing on conservative management of his symptoms. This includes hydrotherapy to strengthen his leg, anti-inflammatories to reduce pain and swelling, and plenty of rest to allow his body to heal.

But it’s not just about the physical treatments; it’s about the emotional support as well. George may be semi-retired, but his spirit remains as strong as ever. He thrives on love and cuddles, and I am more than willing to provide him with all the affection and comfort he needs during this challenging time as is my partner, who loves George as much as I do❤️

As I watch him undergo his treatments and see the determination in his eyes, I am reminded of the countless lives he has touched throughout his years of service as a therapy dog. It’s a testament to his resilience and unwavering spirit that even in the face of adversity, he continues to inspire those around him.

In sharing George’s story, I hope to highlight the importance of cherishing our animal companions, who bring so much love and joy into our lives. They are more than just pets; they are family members who deserve our care and attention, just as we would provide for any loved one facing a health challenge.

George may be on a different journey now, one that requires patience and dedication to his recovery, but his spirit remains undiminished. He has given us so much over the years, and now it’s our turn to give back, to ensure that he can continue to enjoy a life filled with love, cuddles, and the occasional visit to the schools and hospitals that have come to rely on his boundless affection.

As we move forward in this healing journey with George, we do so with gratitude for the joy he has brought to our lives and the countless lives he has touched. And we look ahead with hope, knowing that with time, care, and the resilience that defines him, he will overcome this obstacle and continue to brighten the world with his presence.

dog in a hydrotherapy pool

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Therapy Dogs: A Paws-itive Impact on Mental Health!

Who doesn’t love dogs? They’re cute, cuddly and oh-so-loving. But did you know they can also serve as your personal therapist? Enter the world of Therapy Dogs!

Therapy dogs are trained pups offering emotional support to people in need, whether they be in hospitals, schools, or even airports. These dogs are not the same as service dogs as they don’t perform any specific tasks for a person with a disability. Instead, therapeutic dogs play soothing roles, helping individuals to relax and cope with anxiety, stress, and depression.

It’s not surprising that such furry companions can improve mental health. Research shows that stroking and petting dogs can reduce stress and anxiety hormones like cortisol, while simultaneously increasing happy hormones and feel-good neurotransmitters in the brain (Harvard Medical School. A little wagging of tails, nuzzling, and snuggling go a long way in influencing human well-being.

Dog therapy has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many organizations offering programs for seniors, hospital patients, and school children. Even airports have implemented therapy dog teams to help ease the stress of travel.

One specific group that benefits a lot from therapy dogs is children. Kids have been shown to have better self-esteem and social skills and lower anxiety in the presence of dogs (Fine et al.). The benefits of therapy dogs are numerous, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood and socialization, and increasing physical activity.

One major appeal of therapy dogs is their non-judgmental and unconditional love. They don’t care about our appearance or background, and they don’t hold grudges. A therapy dog simply wants to be by our side, offering their furry warmth and calming presence. Studies have shown that interacting with dogs can even lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.

My dog George has been a therapy dog since he was two years old. He’s a Spoodle (Cockapoo, Doodle) and has a beautiful, calm temperament, ideal for working with the elderly and with children.  Everybody loves George and he’s super friendly and chill.

Therapy dogs must pass rigorous health and behavior assessments to ensure they’re well-suited for the role. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT), as it’s called, also requires specific training and certification for both the handlers and canine companions (Smith & Matuszek). So, it’s not just about the cuteness factor.

Of course, not every pooch is cut out to be a therapy dog. Some breeds are more naturally suited to the job. Labradors and Golden Retrievers are popular therapy breeds due to their affectionate nature and easy-to-train personalities.

While the process of training and certifying therapy dogs sounds intense, the results make all the effort worthwhile. So, the next time you’re feeling down, instead of picking up your phone and scrolling through Instagram, why not cuddle with your furry friend or visit a therapy pet outside. After all, they say that dogs are a person’s best therapist!

REFERENCES:

Fine, A. H., Tedeschi, P., Elfenbein, H., & Rosenthal, S. (2015). The handbook on animal-assisted therapy: Theoretical foundations and guidelines for practice. Elsevier.

Harvard Health Publishing. (2018). The health benefits of dogs (and cats). Retrieved from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-health-benefits-of-dogs-and-cats

Smith, M. C., & Matuszek, S. (2010). Animal-assisted therapy: An emerging opportunity in oncology. Journal of Oncology Practice, 6(6), e21-e23.

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Even therapy dogs need a bath!

George goes to the groomers for a bath and haircut every few weeks. In between times I take him to the local pet supply store who offer a free hydrobath for local dogs!

Having a bath is not entirely his favorite activity. He does always get a treat afterwards (don’t tell him it’s a dental hygiene treat 😉) But he’s pretty chill and relaxed about it.

His groomer, my friend Ang, tells me that when he’s having a bath there he is so relaxed he almost falls asleep!

My daughter came along with me this time, so she was able to snap some pics of bathtime for good boy!

woman bathing her dog

He looks pretty chill here… don’t mind the li’l bandages on my arms, I’d just been to have my bloods taken that morning 😊

I give him a good scrub down with the shampoo, comb it through his fur and rinse… then he rewards me by shaking water and shampoo all over me 😂

Then it’s the baby wipes to clean his eyes and ears and a vigorous rub down with the towel.

woman drying dog with a towel

Then we are done! Much to his relief!

I usually take him for a walk to the park to air-dry him further, less likely to have my place smell of wet dog! 😂 Not that I mind…

He’s a happy doggo and everyone loves him. He brings so much joy to people’s lives.

Love to you all and I hope you have a fabulous day 🥰

 

 

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My dog is a ball thief!

Took my Georgie-boy to the park this morning for our usual morning meander.

He played with a cute l’il mini Schnauzer. I am always happy to see my dog play like a puppy. He’s nigh on 12 years old and he still thinks he’s a pup! But then don’t we all? Don’t be telling us we old! No such thing! 😂

I’ve mentioned before that George is a semi-retired therapy dog. He has spent hundreds of hours making folk feel better, calming them down in times of stress and anxiety. Helping people overcome dog phobias. He loves all people, from the tiniest of toddlers to the very old and infirm. He literally has endless patience with people wanting to pet him, talk with him, play with him and take photos of him (I swear he has more photos on his social media than I will ever have!) – you can check out his FB at George_the_Therapy_Dog (click the link). He’s on Insta as well and you can see all his gorgeous photos! @george-the-therapy-dog

He has the best traits for this type of work. He is calm, gentle, patient and sweet natured.

He is also my best friend.

Everybody loves him.

His only vice is stealing other dog’s tennis balls! Check that photo…. is he looking guilty? or is he looking pleased with himself?

I was just about to leave the park to head home and I called him over and he came trotting along with his latest acquisition! I let him happily and proudly trot one more time around the park with the ball (by this stage, there were no other dogs or people in the park – so I have no idea who owned the ball). I then placed the ball on the park bench in case the owner returned.

Usually I apologize for his cheeky behaviour if the ball owner is around, most times people end up throwing the ball for him and their own dog. That’s the thing with dog people, they are a nice mob. We get it. We love our dogs.

We also know that people who don’t like dogs are a little bit peculiar (I’m not talking about people who are scared of dogs – but for sure we can help you with that!), but when I come across a non-dog person I wonder what is wrong with them, often they are emotionally cold and have no empathy for dogs or people. They are the ones to avoid!

Peace and waggly tails to you – love and hugs from George and I to you and yours! 🐾 🤗

 

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Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)

My dog George is a therapy dog. He is semi-retired now as he’s becoming an older gentleman, he turns 12 this May.

For many years George and I volunteered every weekend at a dementia facility, and he was also the therapy dog at the university where I worked. We would also visit schools, childcare centres and we also worked with Psychologists helping children and adults manage their dog fear/phobia.

His job was to make people feel happy and he enjoys every minute of the time he spends with people and folk are always so happy to see him. The dementia facility we visited was a “lockdown” facility. The patients there were deemed at risk and were generally the most serious cases. Going there was confronting and challenging, worthwhile and humbling.

The patients were so excited to see George. It would remind them of dogs they had in their earlier life, and it would trigger conversations around dogs and pets and general reminiscences. They could pet him, brush him and he would help calm them when they felt confused and/or agitated. It was a really beautiful way to engage with people who had limited options for engaging with the world. All up we spent around 6 years visiting.

Therapy dog with dementia patient

In this photo, the lady asked if she could have him on her lap for a “real good” cuddle 🥰

Nowadays George only picks up the occasional (free – we never charge) gig as he’s older and needs more rest.

He has come into my current workplace for RUOK Day to spend time with team members and customers. He’s coming to work with me tomorrow for our Wellbeing Day, a day that I actually get to organise as part of my job! I literally have the best job! The whole team and the Managers are thrilled to be welcoming a four-footed, furry, loveable visitor.

Tonight, I’ll spend extra time brushing out his fur (he doesn’t shed much as he’s a Spoodle/Cockapoo – a Cocker Spaniel crossed with a poodle). But I want to make sure his fur is glossy and fully floofy for his visit.

Recently, we worked on a project visiting a dementia ward (different from the place where we volunteered) and spending time with a select group of patients. We would visit once/week and spend an hour to two hours with the patients.

The project is gathering data on whether the patient’s perceived quality of life improved or if they retained memory of the dog visits from week to week.

Research on animal assisted therapy for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients is growing and Dementia Support Australia Animal Assisted Engagement in Dementia Care outline the benefits of this type of care:

Interacting with animals has many benefits for older people. It can have a positive impact on physical, social, emotional, motivational and cognitive functioning, while helping reduce mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Animal assisted or pet engagement aims to provide pleasure and relaxation.

A research study conducted in 2019 Effectiveness of the dog therapy for patients with dementia – a systematic review | BMC Psychiatry | Full Text (biomedcentral.com) found that animal assisted therapy can be a very beneficial and complementary treatment, particularly regarding behavioural and psychological symptoms, and that this is true for patients with varying degrees of dementia severity when that therapy is tailored to their unique needs and interests.

So there you have it. My dog is a sweet soul. He was born to be a therapy dog, I knew it from when he was a pup. Best. Dog. Ever!

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Georgie-boy…

My dog is the best!

George went to the groomers yesterday and had a day of doggie daycare as well. He had a slightly shorter cut this time as it’s close on summer time in our neck of the woods and I don’t want him overheating. I took this photo of him and he looks so sweet and neat & tidy too! He has the most beautiful soulful eyes 🥰

So I thought I’d share the picture and share the love. I gave him a treat after taking his photo as he’s very patient with me. He sat there all nice and chill whilst I snapped a few pics until I got one that felt like I got the composition right. He has the nicest temperament, is very relaxed and calm and very loving.

Sometimes the world can be a bit hectic. Our lives can feel unbalanced and people or things happen that may disappoint. Sometimes you just need to see a photo of a lovely, friendly dog looking into your eyes and to remember that there is kindness, caring, love and peace in the world. Sending you all loving and peaceful vibes 🥰

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In the park having a scamper

Happiness is a joyful dog!

 

Took George for a walk in the park, it’s about to rain soon, so I thought we’d get out before it hits! I managed to get this video of him scampering about, watching him run makes me happy too!

Not that he minds going out in the rain, he has a yellow raincoat and neither of us care about getting wet. But getting out before it rains means I don’t have to dry him off when we get home, he’s a total water sponge! 😂💦

It’s true that having a dog is good for your emotional and physical wellbeing. Dogs need a walk and for some folk that’s their exercise for the day, which is a good thing.

Going outside is good for the spirit too. Grass, trees, the sky and a dog, what’s not to love?

 

 

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Trails, tails and my daughter too!

Walking the trails

My daughter came over yesterday to spend the day with me 🥰 I love it when it’s just the two of us. We are really close and have a special bond and really enjoy hanging out together.

She suggested we and my dog, George, head over to our local nature reserve and hit the trail.

Dog and woman walking

The weather was good, mild and sunny and perfect for getting out in nature. It was a bit muddy, we’ve had some rain lately, which is a good thing.

George was thrilled to get out for a long walk/run. We started on leash, but it’s a leash off area, so he had fun galloping around and rolling in the grass and dirt! 😅

There’s a certain joy in watching a happy dog. His happiness in his freedom to run around gives me an almost visceral pleasure to watch.

My happiness quota was off the scale! Spending time with my daughter and watching the un-selfconscious joy of my dog are two things that elevate my wellbeing. It’s the simple pleasures in life and being present in that exact moment that work for me!

 

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Throw Back Thursday!

 

This is a pic of my dog George when he was a pup, right after his first groom! He’s now 11 years old and he’s the most loving, sweet, and friendly dog. I picked him up from the groomers this week after his latest session and the woman who groomed him said (and I hear this often), that he is so chill when they bathe and clip him, he just sits there patiently or gently leans against them during the drying and clipping phase.

He is a very chill and relaxed dog. When he was two years old, I read about therapy dogs and volunteering. I thought that sounded the perfect thing for George and I. He loves people of all ages and I like volunteering. I signed him up for training and testing his suitability. He passed with flying colours, and they said they had never met a such a calm and gentle dog!

Over the years, George and I have volunteered at a dementia facility, childcare centres, primary and high schools and several university campuses.

It’s been both a privilege and a pleasure to bring joy and comfort to people young and old! 🥰

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