HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2016-08-10, Page 66 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Dog therapy in Huron County dwindling
According to the
Therapy Dog
Program, Huron
County has about
eight dog handlers,
compared to 55
in Grey -Bruce
Shaun Gregory
Huron Expositor
The Seaforth Manor Retirement
Living and Long Term Care and
numerous other elderly facilities in
the world use canines as a form of
therapy. It's a rewarding experience
for the older community. Howbeit,
the organization that operates the
program has become aware of Huron
County's decline in volunteers com-
pared to the neighboring districts.
St. John Ambulance falls under
the umbrella of sponsoring the
totally volunteered program that
started in 1992 in Peterborough,
Ont. Now, throughout the province
File photo
The Dog Therapy program with the St. John Ambulance admitted to Huron County as being rather small in numbers
compared to other municipalities.
about 3,000 handlers apply their
services to thousands of seniors
each year.
The general manager at the Sea -
forth Manor, Cathy Stewart, along
with several residents, enjoys a visit
time -to -time from the Australian
Shepherd who goes by the name
Buffy.
"We get a specific time and she
wanders around the home and if
you want to visit with her, you can.
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You are invited to attend these area churches
ST. THOMAS ANGLICAN
21 Jarvis St., Seaforth
Church Office 519-527-1522
holyspirit@tcc.on.ca
Rev. Shaun Eaton - Deacon -in -Charge
Sunday, August 14
Worship at 9:30am
Everyone Welcome
EGMONDVILLE UNITED CHURCH
Worship Leader: Susan Barnett
August 14 - 10.30am
No Youth Sunday School until September
-
Kids in the Kitchen
Aug 15-19, 9am-noon
Fee $20 per child, only 18 accepted
Contact Theresa Kolkman
tess.1972@tcc.on.ca
Everyone Welcome
For more information view our website la
www.egmondvilleunitedchurch.com
BETHEL BIBLE CHURCH
An Associated Gospel Church
126 Main St. Seaforth
519-527-0982
Interim Pastor: Rev. Laurie Morris
August 14 - 10 am
"A Word of Warning"
August 21 - 10 am
"The Children of God"
Wednesday, Aug 10
Maplewood Service -10 am
Manor Service - 2 pm
Tuesday, Aug 16
Youth Group - 6:30 - 9 pm
6‘. EVERYONE WELCOME
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
59 Goderich St. W. Seaforth
519-527-0170
Rev. Dwight Nelson
Lorrie Mann - Organist
Sunday Worship
August 14 - 11 am
•
Nursery Provided as Needed
L• ALL WELCOME
Call 1-866-734-9425
or visit www.medicalert.ca
41310
MedicAlerr
Lets You Live Life.
If you don't want to, that's okay
too," stated Stewart, mentioning
the dog has visited the establish-
ment well past 200 times.
"Dogs are very calming pets, pets in
general are very calming and because
we don't have pets, it's huge!'
Apart from handlers being
allowed to offer services, Stewart
indicated families who have loved
ones who live there, are also
TIM
S* At The Bruce County Heritage Farm Show
* August 19, 20, 21 Paisley
A Family Fun Event!
Demonstrations,
Exhibits,
Good Food,
Entertainment
2 km South of Pailsey on Country Rd.3 See you there!
www.bruceheritage.com
The
Seaforth Generals
need
BILLET FAMILIES
Do you have a private room
with desk/workspace?
Willing to provide meals and snacks?
Understand the need for
'team rule enforcement'?
We will pay you
$500 per month!
Huron County at one
time had a very large
Dog Therapy Program,
I'm not sure why, but it
just deteriorated,"
— said Kaye Parker the
coordinator for the Therapy
Dog Program, in a telephone
interview, August 3
encouraged to bring pets for a visit.
As long as the pets are well behaved
and all the vaccines are taking care
of, they can make an appearance.
With the healing furry friends, if
the proper protocol is not followed,
they will be discontinued of their
duties. According to St. John Ambu-
lance, therapy dogs must be accept-
ing of a friendly unfamiliar person,
sit composed for petting, walk on a
loose -fitting harness, walk through
a crowd (including wheelchairs and
walkers), by command sit and
remain in position and have no
aggression towards other dogs.
Kaye Parker, the coordinator
responsible for the coverage of
Grey -Bruce and Huron County,
said between the two counties,
most of the dogs are usually easy-
going, the more important predica-
ment at hand is finding people to
sign up.
Grey -Bruce has about 55 unpaid
assistants, significantly out figures
Huron County, which is currently
at a low of approximately eight
volunteers.
Huron County at one time had a
very large Therapy Dog Program,
I'm not sure why, but it just deteri-
orated," Parker said in a telephone
interview August 3.
A large draw in Huron County was
the Blue Water Youth Centre that
housed maximum -security offend-
ers; nevertheless those undertakings
were axed when the place closed its
doors permanently in 2012.
Parker said Grey -Bruce presently
travels to secondary schools during
exam time as well as frequent visits
to Georgian College. In doing so,
she said this is a popular undertak-
ing, which may play a role in the
number of volunteers who join.
"It's a wonderful program, lets
face it, some of the home's (occu-
pants) don't see the outside much,"
explained Parker.
"We go in and visit with a team and
they love to see the dogs, they bring
them a lot of comfort. It helps bring
back happy memories for them:'
For more information on how to
become a Dog Therapy handler, go
to sja.ca