Pet Therapy
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Southeastern Greyhound Club's Pet Therapy ("Patient Paws") program is one in which volunteers bring their dogs to a chosen healthcare facility to provide interaction with the residents or patients. Our volunteers visit the residents in their rooms, in the hallways, and in common recreational areas, practically wherever an encounter can occur. The volunteers assist their Greyhounds in spreading good cheer, tail wags, and warm hugs to all the patients.
"Spreading Joy, Four Paws at a Time"
BENEFITS
National studies have confirmed the therapeutic effects of animals upon humans. Pet therapy visitations provide a warm and comforting presence and a relaxing interlude to residents of healthcare facilities. Stroking a pet can aid in relaxation which relieves stress and anxiety and lowers blood pressure. It can also ease the loneliness of the elderly in nursing homes, and help children overcome allergies. Petting also encourages the use of hands and arms thus improving fine motor skills of the elderly and even handicapped children. Residents become more active and responsive both during and after a visit. Our visits offer entertainment and a welcome distraction and provide stimulation to the patients. We often engage in conversations with patients of their lost beloved pets. Patients who may not be friendly to others or to staff often come “out of their shell” when we are present with our dogs.
Click here to read an article from the March 2005 issue of Country Living (Adobe Acrobat Reader required. Click here to download Acrobat Reader). It's not specific to Greyhounds but definitely is a tribute to pet therapy in general. And here is a perfect pet therapy story.
GREYHOUNDS AS THERAPY DOGS
Greyhounds are perfect therapy dogs due to their outgoing and friendly nature, gentle and docile disposition, and quiet demeanor. Their height makes them easily accessible to those confined to a hospital bed or those in wheelchairs. Our dogs work as a team, searching out the next resident to visit and to provide their love to. Their reward is simple...a rub on the head, ear scratches, some "baby talk"...or even a biscuit! Yes, some patients even have their own stash specifically for our pups and they absolutely love it!
Greyhounds were also used as therapy dogs immediately after 9/11 providing comfort to the many rescue workers and the many families waiting to hear news regarding their loved ones near Ground Zero. And they are used in countless other settings--children’s hospitals, burn clinics, Alzheimer care facilities, assisted living facilities, VA hospitals...you name it, they’ve been there!
OUR RESPONSIBILITIES
As representatives of SEGC we provide a service to the residential healthcare facilities that we visit. We must follow the rules and regulations set forth by each individual establishment that we visit.
Patient confidentiality is maintained at all times. Our therapy dogs must be current on all immunizations and records must be provided to each location that we visit. They also must be clean and well-groomed.
Characteristics of good therapy dogs include the willingness to approach people, being well-behaved around people and other dogs, and being calm, tolerant and friendly.
VISITS
We have several residential healthcare facilities in Atlanta and surrounding areas that we visit on a monthly basis. We have many flexible schedules to choose from. Dates and times of our visits are posted below. Choose a facility that best suits your location and schedule. When arriving at your location for the first time, always take with you a copy of your dog's vaccination records and let the hostess know to expect you. Their email addresses and phone numbers are listed so you may contact them directly. We will also occasionally visit area children's hospitals and burn clinics. Special outings will be announced on the Yahoo group discussion list, the club membership email list, and on the events calendar. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Susan Manning.
Click on a location to go directly to that location's details:
Arbor Terrace Assisted Living
3829 Floyd Road
Austell, GA 30106
Schedule: Second Tuesday - 7:00 p.m.
Host: Beth Kuhn
770-424-3066
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston
1405 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30322-1062
Schedule: Dates vary. If interested, contact Susan.
Host: Susan Manning
770-596-4444
Limit of 5 Greyhounds a visit. No one under 18 years of age may volunteer due to Egleston's policy.
Cumming Manor Assisted Living and Nursing Center
2775 Castleberry Road
Cumming, GA 30040
Schedule: Third Saturday - 10:30 a.m.
Host: Becky Ragusa
770-495-8403
Eastside Gardens Assisted Living
2078 Scenic Highway North
Snellville, GA 30078
Schedule: Third Saturday - 1:45 p.m.
Host: Susan Manning
770-596-4444
Hands for Hire
2177 Flintstone Drive, Suite E
Tucker, GA 30084
Schedule: Third Friday - 10 a.m.
Host: Susan Manning
770-596-4444
Heritage of Brookstone
5235 Stilesboro Road
Kennesaw, GA 30152
Schedule: Third Sunday - 3:30 p.m.
Host: Judy Mattingly
404-808-2765
Summerhill Senior Community
500 Stanley Street
Perry, GA 31069
Schedule: Second Saturday - 2:00 p.m.
Host: Heather Coulombe
478-987-9964
Sunrise Assisted Living
11405 Medlock Bridge Road
Johns Creek, GA 30097
Schedule: Second Friday - 2 p.m.
Host: Rich Diggelman
770-667-2121
Sweetwater Springs Assisted Living Care
1600 Lee Road
Lithia Springs, GA 30122
Schedule: First and Third Tuesdays - 10:30 a.m.
Host: Lexie Mahon
678-350-3641
The Bridge at Lawrenceville
220 Collins Industrial Way
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
Schedule: First Monday - 10:30 a.m.
Host: Dave Strickland
678-860-9383
The Retreat
898 College Street
Monticello, GA 31064
Schedule: Last Monday - 7:00 p.m.
Host: Betty Jean Jordan
706-468-1229
Wesley Woods of Newnan-Peachtree City
2280 Highway 29 North
Newnan, GA 30265
Schedule: Third Sunday - 2:00 p.m.
Host: Pattie Wheeler
770-253-0676
Join a group near you and make a difference in someone's life! For more information please email us at pettherapy@greyhoundadoption.org.