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How Can Pets As Therapy Help?
Pickle the Therapy Dog
As part of the volunteer work that we complete at Sarah Morris Therapy we do have a Therapy Dog called Pickle who is a 9 year old Welsh Spaniel and another therapy dog, Hunter, in training.
Pickle works only with Sarah Morris and this is mostly on a volunteer capacity offering community based Animal Assisted Therapy across the South West of the UK. Pickle is himself familiar with trauma. He has two metal reinforced legs following a difficult experience before being rescued and now experiences separation anxiety. Sarah Jane and Pickle make a great double act team and work together in supporting Pickle to get his needs met. Surprisingly, this comes well for him in supporting others in need, in a now familiar Pets for Therapy role.
Within the therapeutic setting provided for by Sarah Morris Therapy, Pickle is also used as a therapy dog for those who wish to have the support of a dog by their side while beginning their positive journey of self recovery in therapy. He completes this role in a volunteering capacity in which he is universally loved by all for his placid temperament and a past that he has bravely overcome, which help people to feel that they too can survive their challenges.
He has supported young children in feeling secure when tackling difficult issues, has been with those experiencing difficult news in hospitals in palliative situations and those who are facing trauma as loved ones are unexpectedly taken to medical facilities and they follow. he has worked in the homes of elderly people and at support groups.
Many clients seem naturally comfortable in the presence of dogs and can use this special relationship to enhance a relaxed environment, with dog and client sitting together. Please mention this when booking for therapy if coming to the Somerset clinic and we can arrange this service for you within your treatment package.
Pickle is a non-judgemental doggy listener and offers comfort to the client who may find expressing their feelings difficult or stressful. A good level of research has shown that the benefit from this unique experience is outstanding.
Pets For Therapy
Pets As Therapy is a humanitarian charity founded in 1983, It is the largest organisation of its kind in Europe enhancing thousands of lives every single day. Thousands of people of all ages benefit every week from the visits provided by Volunteer PAT Teams such as that which Sarah Jane is part of, who visit residential homes, hospitals, hospices, schools, day care centres and an Autistic Centre at a school based hub. Sarah Jane works with Pickle, to bring joy, comfort and companionship to many individuals who appreciate being able to touch and stroke a friendly animal.
All PAT dogs must have been with their owner for at least 6 months, be over 9 months of age and be able to pass the temperament assessment. Pets do not work for more than 2 hours at any one time and have regular breaks.
Learn More about Pets as Therapy
Please click on the link below to find out more about Pets As Therapy.