Making a Difference with Pet Therapy

Does your Golden bring smiles to the people he or she meets?

Would you like to harness that ability and use it to help people in real need?

Those of us who have pets probably know this instinctively, but science has borne it out as well:  Pets are good for us!

In fact, in  a recent Mayo Clinic Oasis story on pets and health, Oncologist Edward T. Creagan, MD -- who happens to own a 3-legged Golden Retriever named Brinkley -- spoke about the documented health rewards of pets, citing study after study that showed both the emotional benefits, such as reducing depression -- and the physiological benefits, such as reducing blood pressure and cholesterol.

But for people in hospitals, nursing homes, group homes, and many other institutions, interaction with pets is often either non-existent or severely limited.  Thankfully, pet therapy organizations are out there, filling the void and bringing pets to the people who may need them most.

There are many ways to get involved in this very worthwhile and rewarding process.  Here are just a few of the avenues you can explore in NJ.

In conjunction with The Delta Society, a nationally recognized pet therapy organization, St. Hubert's Giralda in Madison hosts day long workshops that introduce people to the pet therapy concept, and also hosts follow up aptitude evaluation days for people and their dogs that can result in certification and placement assistance for qualified dog/handler teams.

Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc. in Morris Plains offers evaluation, testing, training and certification for you and your dog.

Therapy Dog International Inc.  in Flanders also offers testing and certification for you and your dog.

To learn more about what makes a good therapy dog, and meet some of the many Goldens and their owners who are out there making a difference, visit Golden Four-Footed Therapists.