Meet your therapist: Last year Billy the terrier was saved by the kindness of ...

DailMail ^ | December 28, 2011 | Philippa Tomson

[algernonpj]

Billy Boy in his uniform , all set for his first day 'at work'


Philippa with Billy Boy on his first day. Christine McGowan, right, gets a cuddle from the Tibetan Terrier

[algernonpj]

Doggie Therapist Ping

[Joe 6-pack]

WOOOF!

The Doggie Ping list is for FReepers who would like to be notified of threads relating to all things canid. If you would like to join the Doggie Ping Pack (or be unleashed from it), FReemail me.

[momtothree]

He’s a beautiful dog. I just love his little face!

[trisham]

Awwwwwww..he’s adorable!

[trisham]

Who knew that there was more than one “Joe 6-pack”? :)

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2825890/posts?page=5#5

Sorry for my previous ping, JoeSixPack.

[Joe 6-pack]

We are legion.

[algernonpj]

He’s a beautiful dog. I just love his little face!

How could that face not bring you joy and make you smile?

I don't know if it is true, but I have been told that the first therapy dog was the result of serendipity. In theory a child psychiatrist's doggie day care fell through, and the dog went to work with the psychiatrist. A child who had been through such trama it stopped speaking, snuggled up to the dog and began whispering to it... a major break through.

[trisham]

:)

[basil]

Cute!

[momtothree]

My son volunteered last year at a nursing home. The home had very social and calm dogs living there (plus some cats as well). The residents love them. The dogs seem to “know” when one resident needs some attention and love. They will just sit by their wheelchair or rest their chin on top of their foot. Animals do have a healing and calming way about them. IMHO.

[momtothree]

Now I am totally confused. Is Joe6pack and joesixpack the same joe?

[trisham]

Good question. Can there be only one? :)

[algernonpj]

There was a study done by a cardiac care unit a while back. Discharged patients were given pages and pages of questions about their lifestyles. The goal was to identify factors that resulted in fewer and milder subsequent heart attacks.

The big surprise was that regardless of any other factors owning a pet was associated with a more positive outcome. No one could believe this so the study was repeated (more than once IIRC) and the association held.

Congratulations for raising such a good son!

[momtothree]

Okay, Joe. We are confused (or at least I am). Are there two separate Joe’s? Inquiring minds would love to know!!

[Joe 6-pack]

There are a number of us using different variations of the name...

[momtothree]

Good to know. Thanks, Joe!

[trisham]

Do you all have meetings? :)

[Joe 6-pack]

We are autocephalous, much like the Eastern Orthodox Church :-)

[momtothree]

I’m thinking they must all be nice guys. If not, can you imagine the emails? “How dare you say that I am..... “ or “You don’t have to be such a jerk!”. LOL!