Grief Therapy Dogs at Funeral Homes

 

Therapy dogs have been working in the US since the 1960s, according to the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. “Animal Assisted Therapy” became an actual recognized practice in 1989, although any pet owner will tell you that simply petting a dog or cat can help calm and balance a person’s disposition.

 

Courtesy AKC

Science has shown that petting a dog has physiological effects. It can reduce stress and anxiety by helping raise a person’s levels of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. Dogs put most people at ease. They can sense when a person is unhappy and grieving, and provide comfort and unconditional love to those in need. And dogs sense who needs them most.

 

Since the turn of the 21^st century, funeral homes have been offering clients the comfort and companionship of grief therapy dogs. The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) reports that more than half of their clientele are interested in having a therapy dog present at a funeral or memorial service.

 

While the NFDA doesn’t keep track of the number of funeral homes that have working therapy dogs, it is steadily rising as the public learns to understand and accept therapy dogs in everyday life.

 

Grief therapy dogs come in all shapes and sizes. The most popular are Labradors, Labradoodles, Golden Retrievers, and Golden Doodles. But other breeds, even mixed breeds are acceptable, if trained correctly.

 

A funeral home grief therapy dog is usually owned by the funeral director, or another member of the staff. But before joining the staff, a therapy dog must be trained.

 

Ultimate Canine is one of the best training services for therapy dogs. Located near Indianapolis Indiana, the company is owned by Julie Case, who has been training dogs for nearly 30 years. Her company helps with the selection of the dog, the actual training, and certification for therapy dogs. And, there are courses for handlers.

 

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), there is a checklist for therapy dogs working in funeral homes.

 

Some key points include being able to tolerate excessive petting, willing to sit on laps, or placing head on knees for extended periods of time. The dog shows no signs of stress, and can “work the room,” seeking out those who need them.

 

A grief therapy dog is trained in the art of comfort. The dog knows how to approach different people. While one person might simply need the dog laying by their feet, others would welcome a head in the lap, or a paw on the knee. Therapy dogs sense who would welcome more interaction and offer it. They are comfortable being held and cried on. Many times, people talk to the dogs, sharing things they would not be comfortable voicing to others.

They also provide a distraction, especially for children who may not fully understand what is happening, or who have bottled up their feelings. When the dog comes over and lays on the child’s feet, that usually opens the feelings, and kids will cry into the dog’s fur as they begin to get in touch with their feelings.

 

Funeral homes check with family to see if they want a therapy dog present during the visitation, funeral, or memorial service. Visitors are notified by a small sign at the door that indicates the family has requested a therapy dog be present.

 

Courtesy Ultimate Companion

 

Therapy dog owners always watch for signs of stress in therapy dogs after long interaction with those grieving. By visiting schools, nursing homes and other establishments, the dogs get a chance to reset and get ready for another day to share their unconditional love and comfort at the funeral home.

 

~ Joy

Honoring Our Four-Footed Service Workers

 

By Joy Neighbors

Service dogs change lives! September is National Service Dog Month – a great time to learn more about and celebrate the role that service dogs play in our lives every day.

National Service Dog Month began in 2008 when actor Dick Van Patton launched an event to assist in gathering funds for guide and service dog training schools throughout the country.

What began as one fundraiser transformed into an annual celebration to raise awareness about service animals, their specialized training and the vital role they play in the lives of so many Americans.

Service dogs are specifically trained to assist those who have disabilities such as hearing impairments, vision impairments, seizure disorders, mobility impairments, diabetes and certain mental difficulties such as PTSD (Post Tramatic Stress Disorder), Autism and other emotional problems. The role of a service animal is to help a person regain their independence, provide confidence, companionship and protection to their person.

According to the American with Disabilities Act of 2010, “Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities... Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person's disability.”

Most service dogs are larger breeds like Labradors, Shepherds and Retrievers, but other dogs of smaller stature and breed are also trained to assist people, depending on the impairment and situation. Rescue animals are also being trained to fill many of these roles. In 2013, more than 380 rescued dogs were trained and placed with individuals whom they now serve.

Service dogs, regardless of their size are invaluable companions for individuals with disabilities and most wear a special harness or vest that identifies them as service, guide or medical alert dogs.

Here are five ADA recognized types of service dogs that are allowed access to any place open to the public. And remember, not all disabilities are apparent in everyone so don't ask questions and don't judge.

1) Guide Dogs

These are the dogs we may be most familiar with. They are trained to assist their owners who are blind or have low vision in navigating in the world. At one time we called them “Seeing Eye Dogs.”

2) Hearing Dogs

These animals assist people who are deaf or hearing impaired. They are trained to alert their owners via a signal to certain sounds like a doorbell, a ringing phone, an alarm or siren.

3) Mobility Assistance Dogs

These larger dogs can pull a wheel chair, help steady an owner with coordination problems or retrieve items that are needed.

4) Medical Alert Dogs

Dogs in this group are trained to monitor their person closely in order to recognize the subtle signs of a life-threatening event such as a seizure, dangerous allergens or toxins, or changes in blood sugar.

5) Psychiatric Service Dogs

These animals are trained to assist owners with situations such as PTSD, Autism or depression. The dogs are trained to help alleviate the clinical signs of the disability.

Although the ADA does not recognize therapy dogs and emotional assistance animals, many businesses, schools and other public places do. These dogs may be required to pass a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test and receive a Therapy Dog Certification.

Therapy dogs provide emotional and psychological assistance to people in hospitals, nursing homes, hospice centers, mental health facilities, schools and libraries. These dogs are allowed to interact with many different people instead of being handled by only one person. People are encouraged to pet therapy dogs. They're known for boosting confidence, offering support and unconditional love to those they interact with.

An emotional support animal helps those who suffer from depression, anxiety and other psychological disabilities. The animals are not trained to perform specialized tasks and cannot assist in reducing the effects of a disability. Both therapy dogs and emotional assistance animals must have documentation from a mental health professional stating that the animal is necessary to this person.

One rule to always remember, do not distract or try to interact with a service dog while it is working. The services these dogs offer their owners are vital to their everyday well-being. Please allow them to do their jobs without interference – someone’s life depends on them.