Purpose:
A team of organized volunteers involving the incorporation of trained animals specifically designed to administer therapy to adults/children in nursing homes or hospitals and to share the love and joy of Christ with the people we visit.
Objectives:
Animal assisted therapy is a scientifically proven form of therapy that is recognized as therapeutic and recreational.
*By stroking an animal, the patient's blood pressure and heart rates are reduced.
*Animals give unconditional love.
*Planned animal visits give patients something to look forward to.
*Animals with tricks are a form of entertainment.
Implementation:
*Dogs must pass the Canine Good Citizenship Test or a temperament test to be certified. Other pets like, Cats, rabbits, birds and other exotics must pass a temperament test to become certified.
* Our American Kennel Club, Canine Good Citizen Evaluator is Vickey Willard who also conducts our temperament tests.
*Volunteers consist of small teams that make scheduled visits to designated facilities.
*Confidentiality - Volunteers will guard and respect the dignity, privacy and anonymity of patients being visited.
Sponsor:
Bellaire United Methodist Church, 4417 Bellaire Boulevard, Bellaire, TX 77401. Connie Richards organized and maintains the Therapy Group. Connie may be reached directly for more specific class details at (713)721-5752.
passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test
and is now going on Therapy visits.
He was adopted @ Houston Collie Rescue and his family just loves him
Many Rescues can make wonderful Therapy dogs
