Tiny therapists help wounded soldiers

WALB ^ | July 13, 2008 | Delivrine Registre

[RDTF]

ALBANY, GA (WALB) - A Florida woman armed with some puppy love is on her way to lift some soldier's spirits. Kathy Alexander and her 13 pooches hope to bring warm fuzzy feelings to wounded soldiers across the nation.

The dogs have been providing pet therapy to nursing homes for over 10 years, but in the next month they will be traveling to military bases across the country. Their first stop is Fort Benning where they hope to bring smiles to the men and woman serving our country.

-snip-

[RDTF]

[RDTF]

link to their website

http://www.pet-therapy.org/

[RDTF]

doggie ping

[KJC1]

This is great, and the pics are wonderful. Thanks for posting this story!

[CindyDawg]

Excellent programs. I’ve seen people that sit and stare off into space, slowly look at puppies, smile and tentatively start petting them.

[Eagles6]

Dogs are cool.

[andysandmikesmom]

Thanks for that link, to the pic with the ‘seniors’ holding the pets...

When I worked in nursing homes, we always had at least one resident dog, who daily made the rounds, visiting the seniors...one nursing home had some sort of animal welfare group come in once a week, bringing a variety of animals to visit with the seniors...

One time, I looked out the front door, and say a lady standing there, with a miniature horse...I blurted out, “golly, there is a horse at the front door”...I think that the charge nurse thought I was over worked and over tired, but no, indeed, when she checked, she too, saw that horse there...

That miniature horse was so dang cute, and so popular with our residents, that he made several visits, to cheer folks up...

Many seniors in nursing homes, either have no family left at all, or if they have family, the family rarely visits...so these pet therapy animals, are so effective, in filling that lonely place in an aged persons heart...

[antiunion person]

Not to take the attention away from our heroic soldiers, but there is a convalescence hospital/home in my city that allows people with pets to visit patients especially the people with no families. It's a once a week event and the nurses I've told to have stated that the results are absolutely fantastic. Patients who have no responded to any other kind of therapy watch the clock for hours anticipating the arrival of the animals and their owners who volunteer their time at their hospital and others in the area.
Going back to our soldiers, I believe this will help them recover from their wounds and possible PSTD from their tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. The person who thought of this activity should he awarded a metal. But they will probably not want the attention. Most people who do this type of thing don't want the publicity that may come with it. God bless this people and especially God bless the soldiers, Marines and other military personnel who put their lives on the line everyday to protect our freedom.

[SoCalPol]

Tiny therapists help wounded soldiers
Therapy Dog Ping

[HairOfTheDog]

Ping!

Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04

And now for this important DOGGIEPING Announcement!

I've lost my list! I did a deep clean of my computer and I guess inadvertently deleted the folder I kept the ping list in.

If you were previously on my ping list and would still like to be on the list now, please let me know... I am re-building the list from scratch!

[antiunion person]

I stand corrected. It’s PTSD not PSTD. Sorry

[VOA]

I hope those photos make it into the cyber-world of Jihadi Internet sites.
And is used to INCORRECTLY make the Jihadis think the photos are
evidence of the triumph of Jihad...but using these sort of captions:

“The Army of The Great Satan Goes To The Dogs”

(for the lower photo)

“Infidel Military Reduced To Drafting Young Boys, Girls And Fluffy Dogs”

[Liberty Valance]

I love dog stories! And I'm sure the Soldiers do too!

[potlatch]

Nice story, thanks for pinging HOTD.
Most everyone loves dogs or cats. They say having a pet helps you live longer and most nursing homes have pets now.

The comfort of ‘touch’, and nothing beats having a dog look at you with love in it’s eyes.

[Slings and Arrows]

It’s a puddle of poodles!

[nmh]

Pets make a world of difference.

Unconditional love as long as you treat them properly.

I LOVE my pets!!!

[nmh]

Thank you for posting this!

It makes me smile and get all “fuzzy” looking at the pictures!

I think is has been proven that being around animals, changes your chemistry in a positive way.

[Unknowing]

That is the most subtle and beautiful painting ever made.

[coydog]

It’s ironic that a bit of cheesecake from a 50’s “hack artist” puts currently fashionable art to shame.