Pet Therapy
July 3, 2020
Southern California nonprofit Pet Prescription got creative with its pet therapy sessions at nursing homes, hospitals, jails.
Many elderly folks are isolated from their loved ones during the coronavirus pandemic and it can get pretty lonely. A nonprofit based in Southern California with the goal of putting a smile on their faces, gathered its four-legged volunteers to pay them a special visit.
“There is something about a dog, when they look into the eyes of whomever they’re visiting, reaches their souls,” said Krystal Emery, founder of Pet Prescription.
The nonprofit started in 2003 trains and brings therapy dogs to places like nursing homes, rehab facilities, as well as jails.
When the pandemic put a stop to in-person visits, Emery said she and her team of volunteers had to get creative. They chose not to let the physical distance prevent them from making a difference.
“I believe all things happen for a reason,” she said. “I believe we will all be better people from this event.”
On Sunday, seniors at the Heritage Court Assisted Living Center received a visit from Pet Prescription. Instead of bringing the dogs inside the building, they held them up at the windows.
“When I saw the photos, I broke, I have to be honest with you,” Emery said.
“The one that touched me the most was the resident throwing kisses,” she added. “The volunteer had kissed her hand, blew it, she, in turn, kissed her hand and blew it.”
Emery said the connection dogs are able to make with people is incredible.
“I think they have a power that we as humans we don’t have,” she said. “It’s that unconditional love. No matter what, bad day, good day, you touch your dog, you feel good.”
Most Recent News
Former Victoria man’s diabetic alert dog helps him get back to life
When Luke Hengen’s diabetes worsened in his early twenties, it stripped him of the outdoor activities where the country kid felt at home. Countless wilderness adventures and years of hard-fought football games took a toll on his body, to the point where he could no longer sense when his blood sugar was too high or […]
Students Get Therapy Dog
When middle school students return to class on Jan. 11, they’ll find a new face at the door: Daisy. Daisy is a therapy dog and the personal pet of Rob Kreger, principal of the Rock L. Butler Middle School. The five-year-old golden retriever is not a school pet or mascot, but rather a working dog […]
Therapy Dogtor
Last March, Caroline Benzel, a third-year medical student, began to notice the stress and discomfort her nurse friends were feeling from the pressures of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. “[Personal protective equipment] can be really rough on the skin,” Benzel, 31, tells PEOPLE. Benzel and her 3-year-old Rottweiler, Loki (who’s also a therapy dog) hatched a […]
Therapy Dog Pups
When Stanley the miniature fox terrier’s owner passed away, the little dog started a ‘paw-some’ new role – bringing puppy love to some of the Gold Coast’s oldest residents. After Carinity Cedarbrook Diversional Therapist Julianne Staff adopted Stanley, he began visiting the aged care community at Mudgeeraba as a therapy dog. Therapy dogs help to […]
Puppy Cams
A nonprofit is providing an unusual form of therapy for those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic – puppy cams! “You spend five minutes with a puppy and try not to smile,” said registered nurse Robin Lingg Lagrone. Lingg Lagrone says watching little furballs wag their tails and prance on their paws helps […]
Pet Committee
When Moore County’s school doors were abruptly closed earlier in 2020, two- and four-legged volunteers from the Moore County Citizens’ Pet Responsibility Committee (PRC) were in their 12th year of presenting a six-session Pet Responsibility Education Program for fourth-graders. The PRC quickly shifted gears and placed its program materials online as part of a home […]