Canines Assisting at Rest Homes, Events, and Schools

Therapeutic visitation dogs (therapy dogs) are the most widely used method of animal therapy.  These dogs are household pets that make visits with their owner, referred to as a volunteer handler. Together, the dog and the handler work as a team to reach beyond traditional forms of therapeutic healing and treatment. Therapy dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and breeds, but they all share a common purpose. Therapy teams provide comfort and companionship to those in need.

 

How Does It Work?

Interacting with a therapy dog can lessen the enormous emotional weight that people experience, especially those with disabilities, recovering from injury, loneliness, and others during emotional upset. While a dog cannot cure all, they can help lighten and lift the mindset of the patient to the point of recovery and even personal growth.

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Where Do CARES Teams Go?

QC CAN CARES teams visit venues and places of healing in order to interact with those under stress. Some places where their services are especially helpful include:

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• Retirement Homes

• Schools and Universities

• Nursing Homes

• Rehabilitation Centers

• Respite Care Programs

 

These types of locations all involve people who need the empathy a dog can offer. In retirement and nursing homes, therapy dogs can cheer and encourage the elderly. At schools and universities, students can de-stress during finals week. In rehabilitation centers, therapy dogs provide those who are suffering with a comforting and cuddly friend to help them emotionally recover from the crisis. At respite care programs people with learning disabilities become less anxious and more confident with a therapy dog as their companion.

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CARES Team Request

Program coordinators and/or facilities are invited to contact us with specific requests for information about scheduling QC CAN CARES events or fill out the program request form here.