The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute held a presentation on therapy dogs as part of its Brown Bag Lunch and Learn series Monday, June 24. Hosted by University employees Lucy LaMar and Camille Barkley, the event outlined three components of therapy dog work in Alabama and Georgia: Pet Alternative Wellness Solutions, Second Chance Greyhounds, and the College of Veterinary Medicine's animal health and performance program.
P.A.W.S. is a nonprofit animal rehabilitation group, specializing in assisting injured and abused animals recover and find homes. Information on the P.A.W.S. certification program, which assesses a therapy team's competence, was provided during the presentation.
Second Chance Greyhounds is a volunteer group that uses former racing greyhounds in therapy for inmates. State prisoners care for the dogs in order to prepare the animals to be pets.
The College of Veterinary Medicine's animal health and performance program assists in seeing to the psychological and physical well-being of working animals in sports, military and government environments.
All three were represented and outlined at the program.
LaMar said animal therapy offers several advantages.
"Those that own dogs have a lower risk for heart attacks and have increased survival rates one year after an attack; older owners walk significantly farther with a dog, so it might contribute to fewer visits to the doctor, and talking to a pet lowers a person's heart rate," LaMar said.
LaMar went on to explain that reductions in loneliness and depression, increased engagement, nutritional intake, social interaction, serotonin and dopamine levels, lower blood pressure and lower stress are other benefits of animal interaction.
"Dogs are non-threatening and non-judgmental; since they can't speak, their job is to listen," LaMar said.
Although most people will not interact with therapy animals, they can still gain the benefits of animal interaction and communication.
I think they learn about the value of such programs and how it benefits patients in hospitals and residents in nursing homes," LaMar said. "They might know of friends or acquaintances that might interact with dogs. Learning about it might spark their interest in learning about how they can participate in programs
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