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September 8, 2006
Pet Therapy has been
added to Jameson’s Visiting Nurses Association, (JVNA) and
Hospice programs.
Perro, a three-year
old Boxer, owned by Rebecca Bruce, a Licensed Clinical Social
Worker, (LCSW) at Jameson, will be visiting patients providing pet
therapy.
Pets provide a
constant source of comfort and focus for attention.
Animals bring out the human nurturing instinct.
They make people feel safe and unconditionally accepted.
Therapy pets can boost patient’s moods and enhance their
social interaction. The
Pet Therapy visit has many positive benefits.
They help patients overcome depression, reduce
communication barriers and help to promote exercise through
petting and stroking the animal.
Petting a dog has been shown to lower blood pressure.
Rebecca and Perro
have attended training and obedience classes.
It is important that the human and the dog learn together
and work as a team. Perro
is credentialed by Therapy Dogs International and he is an AKC
Canine Good Citizen.
Perro is currently
undergoing orientation throughout the Jameson facilities.
It is important for him to be exposed to different
situations and to the various pieces of equipment such as
wheelchairs and walkers.
Patients, who
currently have other pets in the home, toddler children, are
allergic or have a fear of pets, will not be visited by Perro.
Pet Therapy
referrals will be reviewed for suitability for the pet therapy
program by the medical social worker, the clinical supervisors and
the Jameson Hospice Interdisciplinary team.
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