One of my favorite places to work with my therapy dog is in physical rehab. Often a dog can inspire a patient to do more than just repeated exercises can achieve. If a patient has had some kind of neurological injury, a motor vehicle accident or a stroke, for instance, the apparent irrelevant exercise of reaching into a transparent zip lock bag and choosing a small colored dog bone can accomplish several things: choosing a colored cookie to grasp, especially if the therapist has asked for color recognition, reaching into a small container and using fingers to grab and remove a treat for an obviously pleased dog. And then, to add one more part of the whole, extending the arm with an open palm and allowing the well behaved therapy dog to take the treat.
Very often a patient will then talk to the dog when they have had a successful series of exercises. If the speech area of the brain has been affected then the effort of 'talking' to a dog takes the tedium out of the difficult process of once again using the voice.
Another great exercise is to groom the dog. The patient can be encouraged to choose either a comb or a brush. They have to grasp the handle and the range of motion needed to use the tool is very helpful. Therapy dogs should be trained to sit or lay patiently while frequently clumsy attempts are made to stroke from head to tail. If the patient is in the early stages of range of motion exercises just using their hand and rubbing the length of the dog's back is very helpful.
Once skills improve it is fun for a patient to brush a dog's teeth. The toothbrush is smaller and therefore more exact motor skills are called for. Adding a line of toothpaste to the brush is a huge accomplishment and then actually brushing the teeth adds to a sense of success.
When the patient is interacting with the dog they don't have the same sense of repetition that standard exercises often produce. The dog responds with friendly acceptance and this helps the patient forget they are in a therapeutic setting. When they enjoy themselves the accomplishment of motor skills improves.
As all of the exercises described above are accomplished there is another added benefit: specifically, balance. It can be difficult and frustrating for a person in rehab to bend forward and lean back and the dog is a great motivator for this kind of exercise.
Happy Therapy Training!
Very often a patient will then talk to the dog when they have had a successful series of exercises. If the speech area of the brain has been affected then the effort of 'talking' to a dog takes the tedium out of the difficult process of once again using the voice.
Another great exercise is to groom the dog. The patient can be encouraged to choose either a comb or a brush. They have to grasp the handle and the range of motion needed to use the tool is very helpful. Therapy dogs should be trained to sit or lay patiently while frequently clumsy attempts are made to stroke from head to tail. If the patient is in the early stages of range of motion exercises just using their hand and rubbing the length of the dog's back is very helpful.
Once skills improve it is fun for a patient to brush a dog's teeth. The toothbrush is smaller and therefore more exact motor skills are called for. Adding a line of toothpaste to the brush is a huge accomplishment and then actually brushing the teeth adds to a sense of success.
When the patient is interacting with the dog they don't have the same sense of repetition that standard exercises often produce. The dog responds with friendly acceptance and this helps the patient forget they are in a therapeutic setting. When they enjoy themselves the accomplishment of motor skills improves.
As all of the exercises described above are accomplished there is another added benefit: specifically, balance. It can be difficult and frustrating for a person in rehab to bend forward and lean back and the dog is a great motivator for this kind of exercise.
Happy Therapy Training!
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Want to find out more about Physical Rehabilitation and Therapy Dogs, then visit Paulette Bethel's site on how to choose the best Physical Rehabilitation and the Therapy Dog for your needs.
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