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The Times Advocate, 2004-07-14, Page 14Crossroads 14 Wednesday, July 14, 2004 Exeter Times Advocate Therapy dog program provides friendship By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — Peggy Abel of St. Joseph knows well the positive therapeutic effect dogs can have on seniors and patients. Abel and her 13 -year-old dog Holly have been involved with therapeutic dog programs for 10 years. Abel and Holly were in Exeter last week at South Huron Hospital to help promote the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program, which will start in the hospital this sum- mer. During the visits, patients have a chance to build friendships with the dogs, something those involved in the program say has effective results. St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program Central Huron branch co- ordinator Carolyn Brophy said South Huron Hospital is the first hospital in the Central Huron branch the program will take place in. Brophy, of Bayfield, has been involved with the program for eight years and is looking for more volunteers with dogs to visit South Huron Hospital and the Adult Day Centre. "We really need dogs," she explains. Abel's dog Holly has over 500 visits under her belt and is getting ready for retirement. In addition to South Huron Hospital, the dogs visit 14 nursing homes locally as well as the Bluewater Correctional Centre. South Huron Hospital is getting involved in the pro- gram due to the initiative of occupational and physio assistant Julie Macdougald who, while involved in a similar program at a hos- pital in Oakville, saw the "wonderful" impact the Louis Dietrich of Dashwood receives a visit at South Huron Hospital last week from St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program volunteer Peggy Abel and her dog Holly.The program, which already visits 14 nursing homes locally, will be starting at South Huron Hospital this summer. Organizers are looking for dog owners to volunteer their time to make visits with their dogs to provide friendship, comfort and companionship to patients.Those interested can call 565-5297. (photo/Scott Nixon) dog visits can have. "It's pretty amazing," she says, explaining that dog visits are one of the best ways to "reach" patients unable to partici- pate in activities. She said the visits allow patients to interact with animals in a way they can't or won't with people. Some hospital and nurs- ing home patients who won't talk to people will talk to dogs, Brophy said. "It brightens the patients' moods," Macdougald said, adding the visits often spark child- hood memories for the patients. "We're trying to give back what people have lost," Brophy says. She points out one of the posi- tives of the visits is it has been proven that petting a dog will reduce blood pressure. She remembers a story in which an inmate at the Bluewater Correctional Centre said one day he almost got into a fight, but refrained because he knew it was the day the dogs visited and he didn't want to miss out. Nationwide, the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program started in 1992 and reaches thousands of people regularly. Brophy calls the pro- gram "very rewarding" for the volunteers as well. Abel adds the positive feedback she gets from patients regarding her vis- its with Holly make it worthwhile. She said Holly once visited a gravely ill man who smiled as soon as Holly paid him a visit. All breeds are accepted and it's not necessary they be pure breeds. Brophy is looking for friendly dogs, large or small, whose owners can volunteer their time weekly or every other week. Also the dogs must be clean and well- groomed. Before being accepted to the program, dog owners must be interviewed, have a police check done, pro- vide references and show they can control their dogs. The next testing for dogs will take place July 28 in Goderich. During testing, dogs will be faced with a nursing home or hospital setting simulation. If dogs show any sign of aggression, they aren't accepted and can't be re- tested. Dogs go through other tests such as how they react with other dogs, how they react to someone in a wheelchair and how they are in crowds of people. Once a dog is accepted, it takes 10 visits to a nursing home or hospital before they are officially accepted as a team. Once official, dog handlers wear a St. John Ambulance uniform identifying themselves as volunteers. For more information, call Brophy at 565-5297. The Big Brothers/Big Sisters of South Huron wrapped up its week-long Kids 'n' Kops program July 9 with a graduation party at the Exeter LionsYouth Centre.The week saw children learn more about the role police officers play in society. In front from left are case worker Amy Elston, Sheena Forrester, Dean Stephens, Lucas Walper,Alyssa Stephens, Marlee Inson, Brittany Nicholls and case worker Laura Bowers; in back from left are Huron OPP Const. Don Shropshall,Tyler Glenn, Brent Harris, Jamie Arnold, Kendra Slaughter, Nick Beeson, Cody Nicholls,Alex Hollohan, Jordan Glenn, Matt Ellis, Big Brothers/Big Sisters president Heather Alcock and board member Drew Robertson. (photo/Scott Nixon) Social time and picnic for Huron South WI CREDITON — The weath- er was perfect on Tuesday as Huron South Women's Institute members gathered at Crediton Community Park for an annual picnic. President Joan Smith wel- comed members and guests and led in the repeating of the Women's Institute grace. A smorgasbord potluck meal was enjoyed by every- one. A social time and pic- nic activities continued in the afternoon. Helen Webber guessed the closest number of crackers in the jar. Webber guessed 302 and the actual number was 309. Donna Lovie knew the mystery can contained asparagus. Helen MacKenzie and Jean Keyes knew the most flowers and won a prize. Anne Cottle, Bev Campbell and Helen Webber won the Local Place Contest. Barbara Sauder had the closest birthday. Bridget Groot had the most grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Cassie Lovie could remem- ber the most items on a tray. Games of bingo were also played. Several women from Seaforth were in atten- dance and enjoyed partici- pating in the picnic.