VdK TV: Wie werden Therapiehunde eingesetzt?

Summary

Elvira Rheinmüller and her therapy dog Mia visit Friedewald Senior Home every two weeks, bringing joy and companionship to the residents. Their volunteer work requires training and a dog with good obedience and a human-oriented nature. Mia's visits facilitate group activities, open communication pathways, and improve the residents' motor skills through playful tasks. The therapy dog's presence also encourages even the most reserved individuals to interact, with some residents showing reactions even after a year, highlighting the patience and impact of animal therapy.

Takeaways

• 🐾 Elvira Rheinmüller and her dog Mia form a therapy dog team visiting Friedewald Senior Home every 14 days.
• 🏠 The therapy dog visits are a regular part of the seniors' daily routine, providing an opportunity for group activities and conversation.
• 🤝 The role of a therapy dog requires a specific training for both the dog and the handler, emphasizing the dog's obedience and people-oriented nature.
• 🚫 Not every dog can become a therapy dog; they must have good obedience and be able to lie down safely when needed.
• 🧩 The visits help to break down barriers for communication among the residents, especially those who might be otherwise closed off.
• 🎲 The therapy dog's presence encourages playful activities that can also train the seniors' fine motor skills, like retrieving treats from a ball.
• 👴 Many seniors find it challenging to perform fine motor tasks, but the dog's presence motivates them to try and succeed, leading to a sense of satisfaction.
• 🕊 The therapy dog's visits can create a sense of well-being and inner satisfaction that lasts for several days after the visit.
• 💭 The therapy dogs can effortlessly open communication channels with people who are usually more reserved or closed off.
• 🕰 Patience is key when waiting for a response from the residents, as the effects of the therapy dog's visit can sometimes take time to manifest.
• 🌟 Even with dementia patients, the therapy dog's impact can be profound, as demonstrated by a resident who eventually acknowledged the dog after a year of visits.

Q & A

Who is Elvira Rheinmüller and what is her role?

Elvira Rheinmüller is a handler of a therapy dog team, along with her dog Mia, who visits the residents of the senior living home in Friedewald every 14 days.

What is the purpose of the therapy dog visits to the senior living home?

The therapy dog visits aim to bring joy and a sense of companionship to the residents, offering opportunities for group activities, conversation, and opening new avenues of communication.

What are the qualifications required for a dog to become a therapy dog?

A therapy dog must have a good basic obedience, be human-oriented, and be able to lie down safely when needed, ensuring that the dog is under control at all times.

How often do the therapy dog visits take place?

The therapy dog visits occur every 14 days.

What are the benefits of therapy dog visits for the senior residents?

The visits provide an opportunity for social interaction, can stimulate fine motor skills through playful activities, and can lead to a sense of achievement and satisfaction.

How do therapy dogs help in training the fine motor skills of the senior residents?

Therapy dogs can be used to playfully train fine motor skills, such as picking up small treats from a cup using straws, which can be a challenging but rewarding task for the seniors.

What is the impact of therapy dogs on the communication abilities of the residents?

Therapy dogs can open up communication channels, even for those residents who are otherwise closed off, by creating a sense of openness and willingness to interact.

How does the therapy dog team's activity benefit the residents who are physically restricted?

For residents with limited motor skills, the therapy dog visits provide a way to engage in activities that they might otherwise struggle with, such as picking up treats from a cup, which can be a visible source of satisfaction and a sense of achievement.

What is the emotional impact of the therapy dog visits on the senior residents?

The visits can create a sense of well-being and satisfaction, which can last for several days after the visit, gradually fading away.

What is the long-term effect of therapy dog visits on residents who initially show no reaction?

Even if the initial reaction is delayed, the visits are still beneficial as they can eventually lead to a breakthrough in communication, as seen in the case of a resident who started to acknowledge the therapy dog after a year of visits.

Why is it important for the therapy dog team not to give up on residents who do not immediately respond?

It is important because the therapy dog visits can eventually lead to a positive response, even in residents with dementia, as it may take longer for them to become aware or react to the visits.