Brandy and Val

So, a few weeks ago marked the end of another school year helping out the kids afflicted with autism spectrum disorder.  We think we did a lot of good stuff and so saw major progress.  In retrospect, probably more progress than last year but we are sure it’s a cumulative thing.  Part of what goes on with these kids is that they like consistency in their lives and the fact that we are a regular part of their schedule makes them more comfortable.  The students know we are part of their routines and they love when we come into the rooms.

Brandy says: In the past, I spoke of two kids who I work with who were so afraid they would barely touch me and would often flinch away.   By the end of this year, both would take me for walks and would pet me on several parts of my body–from the head down my back.  They would also look at me and talk to me.  This was a very dramatic and uplifting turn of events.  With both of our classes, the kids had pictograph cards with multiple words or phrases.  By the end of the year, the kids had their “favorite” commands they would like to do with me, but, generally, by the end of they year, all could read and/or respond to the words and pictures on the cards.  With the more advance kids, we were able to do multiple word exercises like: “WALK” “SIT” “SHAKE” “UP” and walk back around the room.  It was fun to do a variety of tasks at one time and the kids really liked doing this.  It was more interesting to them than only doing one word commands.

Val says:  My kids are younger than the ones that Brandy works with so we like to play games that have to do with colors and numbers.  The cup game, where we hide food under a colored cup and then I get to “find” it by flipping the cup over with my nose is very popular.  The kids really think it’s funny when I find the treat.  One of the favorite activities, though, continues to be when they get to walk the hallways with me.  I think they feel important and empowered that they get to walk around the building with me and no one else gets to do that.  Also, people in the hall give us attention and we all like that!

We look forward to see where we are headed next year.  We have asked the teachers to come up with some expanded activities based on all we’ve accomplished this year.  Happy Summer!

Brandy and Val’s mission is to enrich the lives of others through their pet therapy duties and through the sales of their books and toys.  They hope to help the families, as well as the children, they work with and sales from their products benefit animal sanctuaries throughout the U.S.  To learn more about these special dogs, visit their website, Brandy and Val, LLC.

Last July, the Service Dogs for Veterans Act was passed in the Senate, propelled by freshman Senator Al Franken of Minnesota and the Wounded Warrior K-9 Corps Act worked its’ way through the House, thanks to Congressman Ron Klein of Florida,  authorizing the use of federal funds to help furnish animals as pet therapy and service animals to U.S. veterans suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Service dogs are already provided  to veterans who have lost their sight or who are physically disabled but these bills now cover pilot programs for psychiatric disorders, too.  I have frequently commented in this blog about the “power of pets” for use as therapy animals and it is good news that the Government is recognizing their use to help former veterans, mostly from Iraq and Afghanistan reintegrate with society after they return home from combat.   Horse therapy is being used in Davie, Florida as stress relievers and dogs’ roles  as psychiatric service dogs include their being trained to dial 911, sense panic attacks before they start, activate lights, and provide protection if their guardian feels threatened.  Dog companionship has also been shown to instill feelings of self-esteem, responsibility and optimism in those who care for pets and is also a vital component to the rehabilitation to the physically and mentally wounded vet. Watch this video from the New York Times for first-hand insight from the veterans being helped!

Since our mission at Brandy and Val is, “to do good where good is needed” we are also thrilled that some of the dogs being trained for these programs come from Puppies Behind Bars, an organization that uses prisoners to raise and train the dogs. Programs such as these serve the community at large not only in providing the dogs that help vets but they help with the rehabilitation of the inmates working with these animals.  Seems like a lot of good is being done here.

OK, so mom in a previous post talked about pet therapy programs and what they are, but, from the pet’s point of view, why do we like doing it?

We love going to “Read to Rover” programs in libraries because kids come in to read to us. We love having them around and it’s like they’re talking only to us the whole time.  For a whole hour,  we get undivided attention while we basically do nothing.  Then, at the end of every 15 minute reading session we usually GET A TREAT!  That makes 4 an hour!   The most stressful thing we have to do is wag our tails when we say “hi” and “bye” to the kids.  Almost all the kids hug us or scratch our bellies. How great is that?

When we go to school programs, though, we do have to work and think a whole lot more.   The programs are enjoyable but in a different way.  We work with autistic children and lots of times, they don’t talk at all and we have to figure out a way to get them to show they like us.  Maybe they are afraid of us or maybe they really love us but just don’t know how to show it yet.  So, we have to approach each child carefully until we are sure they relate to us in a positive way.  After all, we don’t want to scare them and we don’t want them pulling our ears or tails.  We have been very lucky so far. We have more friends than not and a few of the kids who were afraid of us at the start, now touch us a little bit and that makes us feel good.    During these programs, we get brushed and fed carrots and usually we play a few games that help the kids identify colors or numbers or words.  It’s really great when we hear the kids laugh or when they call our names and want us to come over. We hope that our working with them will help their lives in other situations and make them happier.  They make new friends and so do we.

For over 20 years, I have been involved with a variety of tutor/mentoring programs, teaching English as a second language, promoting adult literacy and working with children in various capacities.  About a year ago, my husband and I wanted to do an activity that we could do together with Brandy and Val, so, after receiving their Canine Good Citizenship certificates, we started working in pet therapy programs.  Our participation to date includes ongoing school and library programs and one-time events such as a Dog Safety Workshop for elementary aged children and their mentors.

What is pet therapy or animal assisted therapy (AAT)?  It’s where animals and their handlers work with individuals to help them overcome specific physical, social or emotional obstacles or help them achieve certain goals that will ultimately improve their health and overall quality of life.  The theory behind a lot of it is that people will relate to animals in ways that they won’t or can’t with other humans.  They become uninhibited, will open up to the pets or even try new tasks since there is no fear of being judged or ridiculed by another adult or peer.  Interaction with pets has also shown to have positive health benefits on lowering blood pressure and stress!

We have worked in library reading programs–”Read to Rover” and “Paws to Read” are popular titles–where children will read to the dogs at 15 minute intervals and, during that time, the kids sit next to Brandy or Val and simply read a book at their own pace without adult intervention.  The children can stop and pet the dogs or they can just keep reading.  At the end of the 15 minutes, there is a little time for Q&A or giving treats.   Some children are excellent readers and just enjoy being around the dogs; others stumble or mumble at first and as the time or program goes on, their confidence seems to build and their reading and elocution improves.

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New York Times/Nov 1, 2009

Provocative article in the “Week in Review” section of  November 1 NEW YORK TIMES:  Good Dog, Smart Dog Many of us are already aware of the human-like and super-sensory capabilities our canine friends possess.  They are so prominently on display in the roles of service dogs–in search and rescue capacities (think 9/11, Hurricane Katrina), pet therapy (soothing anxious patients in hospitals or making contact with autistic people), seizure and psychiatric service dogs and seeing eye dogs to name a few.  However, the verdict is still out as to whether dogs can actually think like humans or whether it is a combination of training and dogs’ keen awareness of the people around them that explains this perception.

Research on these topics is discussed citing studies by scientists in Hungary, Germany, that of  Clive D. L. Wynne at the University of Florida, and reknowned psychology professor Stanley Coren, the author of several books on dogs, including The Intelligence of Dogs and Why We Love the Dogs We Do.  The U.S. Army is even now planning to study how psychiatric service dogs might help soldiers cope with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

How often does one hear the phrase, or some variation of, uttered in dismay or disgust, “my dog has more brains than he/she does.”  Well, maybe one day the evidence will confirm that.  In the meantime, we can simply refer to Dr. Coren’s rankings of the 100 most intelligent breeds where Border Collies, Poodles, Retrievers, Labradors and Shepherds round out his Top 5.