Paws-itive Playmate
- Details
- Category: News Articles
- Created on Thursday, 14 July 2011 15:23
What is brown and white, with a wagging tail and bright brown eyes? Wally the therapy dog!
He may not be around every day, but when Wally, a rescued Beagle-Australian Cattle Dog mix, makes his way to The Children's Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center for bi-monthly visits, everyone knows him by name. This special visitor and his amazing owner, Shelley Bates, have become favorites for the children of Child's Way®.
Shelley, a behavioral and obedience trainer, has volunteered for Riding for the Handicapped of Western Pennsylvania, Inc. (RHWPA) for the last 18 years. She has a true passion for working with therapy dogs and recognizes the positive impact they have on children with special medical needs.
"I know firsthand what great benefits therapy dogs can provide in a medical situation," said Shelley. "There is proven research that shows effects on blood pressure, heart rate, and depression."
Therapy dogs often enhance recovery and ease therapy among children and adults, alike. Therapy animals can change behavior, bring joy, and have a significantly paws-itive impact on the well-being of a child. Children are often very trusting and easily achieve a level of confidence in animals. This special bond contributes to pets' effectiveness as therapists.
"I enjoy visiting Child's Way and seeing how some of the more reluctant children brave their fears and begin to touch Wally for the first time," said Shelley. "Wally seems to help the children learn self-control and understand that they could hurt him if they're not careful."
Wally also helps the children take their minds off of the obstacles they face every day. Be it fetching a ball, doing tricks, taking turns riding down the sliding board, or sharing sloppy kisses, Wally always comes prepared to entertain. His lovable attitude is often emulated among the kids. The benefits of Wally's visits are obvious, and Child's Way will be sure to keep bringing this caring canine around in the future.
