Soft Touch – animals bring comfort

When I mention pet therapy, I sometimes get sympathetic looks as people wonder whether our Doodle, Andy, or our Yorkie, Katie, needs specialized psychological help. Truth be known, they are the therapists, especially Andy, taking his own form of healing to the Council of Aging’s “Club,” a program providing a safe, therapeutic environment for seniors who need extra assistance, particularly with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Pet therapy, the visits of pets to hospitals and care facilities, is popular as people learn the simple joy that a soft furry friend can bring to a person in pain or lonely for attention and stimulation.

Twenty-five years ago, a group of volunteers and their dogs, under the banner Soft Touch Pet Therapy, began visiting area care facilities. Like a clown troop, dogs and masters, we would arrive to be greeted by the residents who eagerly awaited the weekly visits. Once the dogs arrived, the gathered residents would break out in smiles. Frail hands reached out to touch the soft fur. Smaller dogs settled in a welcoming lap.

COVID shut down our pet therapy visits, but after things reopened, we resumed visits at the Council of Aging Nassau. Each Friday, a different team of volunteers and their dogs visit the Club. Katie, the Yorkie, has retired, but Andy eagerly trots down the hall to the door of the Club and rushes in, joining his other dog friends.

Any given Friday, you might find Molly, an elegant Maltese, moving from lap to lap, and Ferry, a gentle greyhound, moving from person to person seeking a gentle pat. There are a couple of Doodles with tails madly wagging who bring their own brand of energy to the group. Many of the dogs are rescues who share the love their adopted families have given them with the eager seniors sitting in a circle on Friday mornings.

Most dogs in the program have received some basic training, which is not required but is appreciated. Characteristics that make good therapy dogs include:

• No barking.

• No jumping up.

• No nipping.

• Not easily scared by loud noises.

• Gets along well with other dogs.

It is recommended that dogs be freshly groomed with nails trimmed. Residents enjoy dogs dressed in special scarves or costumes on holidays. Christmas is always a special holiday for the pet therapy volunteers who join their pets in dressing up in their holiday best.

Volunteers agree the dogs enjoy the visits as much as the club members do. Once we arrive on our assigned Friday, dogs mingle and seek out someone to greet, hoping for the anticipated petting that is sure to follow. One volunteer shared, “It's a wonderful program. You can see the enjoyment it brings not only to Club members but also to volunteers and their pets.”

Pet Therapy is one of many ways to volunteer at Council On Aging. On any given day, there is something going on in every room. The energy is contagious.

For more information about Council on Aging volunteering opportunities, contact Chris Fournier at cfournier@nassaucountycoa.org. For more information about Soft Touch Pet Therapy, contact dickie.anderson@gmail.com