Edward Hospital celebrates 10th anniversary of Animal-Assisted Therapy program
A decade ago, a couple of my friends who then and now sing the praises of the care they always receive at Edward Hospital were on different sides of the fence regarding announced intentions to begin an Animal-Assisted Therapy program.One sat vehemently opposed, while the other recognized the potential of the innovative idea at the acute care facility.
Having shared a home with five dogs since childhood #8212; a collie, a beagle, a basset hound, a golden/Labrador retriever blend and now a Papillon #8212; I'd experienced the personalities that distinguish different breeds. I also recognized the strength I've always received from the unconditional love of a pet.
Still, I couldn't imagine any of our dogs being suited for an Animal-Assisted Therapy program. Ten years ago, I was unaware of the rigorous training that would prepare every handler and dog for the highly selective program.
Yet I defended the young program, cognizant of the connections animals can make with improving care of patients, especially adolescents. I recalled countless news stories about equine therapy offered at riding stables, where horses had been viable supplements to traditional therapy for almost any disability.
On a recent Monday, I headed over to Edward's Heart Hospital lobby for the 10th anniversary celebration of the Animal-Assisted Therapy program. Through the large windows, I could see dozens of tail-wagging pups and their handlers greeting onlookers with cameras.
Not a gentle yelp was heard as breeds ranging from a 3.5-pound Yorkshire terrier to a 172-pound mastiff were grouped together.
Speakers credited Edward President and CEO Pam Davis with opening the doors to the program in February 2002, when 15 teams were ready to give patients a choice to have a dog visit during their hospital stay.
Davis shied away from the limelight in praise of Patty Kaplan, director of the Animal-Assisted Therapy program, and all the trainers and handlers who had developed #8220;the favorite program at Edward.#8221;
Today, 83 dog-and-handler teams participate and another 13 teams recently passed temperament training, ready to advance to a three-day training session in mid-March for final acceptance into the program.Jim Stenfeldt of the CM Academy of Dog Training in Iowa, who has been with Edward's program since its inception, explained that the training is designed more for the handlers than their dogs.
A year ago, I heard a similar comment from Frank Brader, owner of Haus von Brader Dog Obedience Training, who prepares handlers interested in the Edward program. Last spring, when I sat in on one of his dog-training sessions at the Judd Kendall VFW, Brader said he's #8220;really training dog owners.#8221;
The dedicated #8220;trained handlers,#8221; all volunteers, spend their own resources to participate and to keep their dogs properly groomed for the program.
Program leaders are careful to avoid absolutes when promoting the benefits of the program. But the patients who interact with the dogs and collect cards to mark the dogs' visits certainly illustrate the hospital's assertions that the program creates positive distractions for patients, helping with healing and making a difference toward patient care.
I followed two handlers and their leashed dogs up the elevator for a patient visit. Patient Ron Mizwicki of Plainfield praised the program, mindful of the memories saved on collectible cards from an earlier visit last summer.
Each colorful card features a photo of the dog, its breed and several vital statistics. Mizwicki said he saves the cards to take home, always requesting two per dog visit so he can share them with his twin grandchildren. And on that note, handler Julia Havey handed him a second card featuring the attributes of Soren, her Labrador retriever.
On my way out of the well-attended anniversary celebration, I collected my own stash of cards that includes bios of Paxil, a large Munsterlander pointer; Pudders, a Portuguese water dog; and Molly, a cavalier King Charles spaniel, to name just a few.
These days when we're grateful for all the advancements in care provided by technology, the #8220;memory cards#8221; serve as lasting impressions of more than 120,000 patient visits in 10 years and their benefits, too.
#376; Stephanie Penick writes about Naperville. Email her at spennydh@aol.com.