Rehabilation Dog - Page 1

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to share a nice story about a pup that was picked out by a lady to be her Rehabilation dog, he will spend a good amount of time helping others, he is from a repeat breeding I had, his name is "Venner"



Hi
I hope I am not overwhelming you with all these e mails but this one is very exciting One of our patients at the rehab had not been participating in his therapies, had a lot of pain complaints and issues of a patient who has had a serious brain injury. It was decided to try using the dogs in his treatment sessions Thinking that "Venner" was still too young, I had the man work with my Lab, "Decker" The patient did participate marginally, but without much enthusiasm. Then just to introduce them, I brought Venner Out of his crate on a Flexilead and we had the patient throw a toy. Although there were 3 persons sitting down, 2 of whom Venner knows and plays with, he went & got the toy and brought it right to the patient. First of all- he is still at that age where he seldom.
brings toys right back, even to me. Also... why did he choose to bring it to the patient and I mean right to his hand! We did this 2-3 times and then it was time for the sessions to be over The patient smiled and even spoke to Venner
But wait.... it gets better! Yesterday the same patient came back to our area to try the dogs again in OT This time I took my other Lab out & began using her to go get toys Venner was having none of that & put up a ruckus in his crate At that point I usually correct him & we can continue with the session but it was obvious Venner remembered the man as someone who he had fun with and was overjoyed when I brought him out to play & put the Lab back This patient played with Venner for 30 minutes, smiled, spoke to Venner & us, and only asked once when the time would be up. He also had no pain complaints. Upon leaving he gave Venner a big good bye, smile and laugh His doctor was walking by & after the patent left, rushed in ,amazed that Venner was already having such an impact as he found it hard to believe he had heard the man laughing!
So... I guess Venner does have that certain "it" that I look for-- that sense of knowing who needs him and at 5 1/2 months continues to amaze me and the staff at Northeast Rehab!
Proud Owner,Linda

What a nice story (:

Pups are amazing!  Bev works on a Senior Psych unit. Primarily patients with Alzheimer and other dementia issues, but also a multitude of other issues, sometimes including aggression.  I stopped in with Ikon when he was just a baby baby, not intending for him to interact with the patients.  The other Staffers had asked to see him.  Ikon had other ideas and promptly went up next to a woman in a wheelchair did a smart sit, and presented his paw on her knee.  At that point he hadn't been taught to sit/shake... and was mostly a complete wild indian!  His entire demeanor changed there, and he made the circuit of the patients in the reception area with proper decorum. 

Still can't explain it, any more than I can that he "adopted" my elderly deaf and vision impaired Lab (also has Canine Dementia) and has become his companion whenever Jonah goes out into the fenced yard.  Jonah had been having panic attacks several times a day, and we had been having daily discussions on if it was maybe "the time" Since Ikon arrived (4mo's) Jonah's only had 2 panic attacks, and the discussion has been dropped for the time being.  We 100% give credit for the change to Ikon's attentions.

That's fantastic! I have found autistic kids to be attracted to GSDs too, for some reason. Well, maybe because I always just happen to have a GSD with me? Anyhow,  keep up the good work! There's a lot we don't know about human/animal connections--but should find out.

Dogs have an extra sense or two about needy people...GSDs have it in aces!  Lovely story.  Thanks for sharing.

Mirasmom, you must be so proud! What a wonderful story! Nice stories, everyone! GSDs have very keen intuition...sometimes I think they can read your mind.....most likely those exceptionally deep noses can pick up the scents that our bodies give off as biochemical changes happen, I won't tell the Kali saved me story again, but I know first hand that they know, they really KNOW! jackie harris 

Good dog Venner :)
Always,
Cee