The Chow Chow as a Therapy Dog

How it started for us

Since puppyhood, Zena has been a people’s dog. When out on walks, upon hearing children playing, I was dragged closer to have a look. Resembling a teddybear, she was guaranteed to be an instant hit with people of all ages. Quite a few times I have had to sit and wait for her to finish playing with the children! Likewise with older people sitting on a bench in the park - she’ll walk up to them and sit down in front of them, tail wagging. Of course, most people cannot help but smile!

The television documentary named “Dogs with Jobs” was my first acquaintance with Therapy Animals. This program featured a Beagle that worked in the children’s ward of a local hospital. The unconditional love the animal gives is considerable and it’s amazing to watch the children’s spirits pick up!

There and then, I decided that Zena would be perfect for doing the same thing. As fate will, the next issue of Animal Talk Magazine featured an article about the South African branch of “Pets as Therapy”. This is an organisation involved in assessing and training dogs to become registered therapy workers. We contacted the organisation and enrolled the same week. We were assessed the week thereafter and Zena passed with flying colours! Qualifying in June 2002, we started working in our local community - old age homes being our favourite establishment. Currently Zena can only visit on weekends, as during the week I have a full time job. However, the people she visits know her by name and wait for her to arrive, tail wagging and always happy.

Zena and her good friend she visits weekly Anna Thiart!

 

 

What is “Pets as Therapy”?

Pets as Therapy or P.A.T as it is generally known, is a charity, which started in 1983 in the UK. It organises visits by pet owners who have volunteered to share their animals, dogs or cats, with people who are unable to have a pet of their own.

At present P.A.T. (UK) has 4 500 plus working dogs and 60 cats making an average of 100 000 visits a week to people in residential care, hospitals, hospices, day centres and children’s homes. They also visit schools to educate children about the value and care of pets. A few even make visits to prisons.

To qualify for this work, the animal has to pass a temperament test - it has to be calm, friendly, reliable, gentle and of course, love people. Basic training is expected and the animal has to be under the control of the owner. The breed or size has no bearing at all on the suitability of the animal, but it has to have been with the owner for at least six months to ensure a strong bond.

The animal has to be clean, disease free and free of worms and fleas. There is no age limit, but it is not recommended that an elderly animal be started in this work, as it is very tiring for the animal. We would like this service to spread across the community. If you own a calm, affectionate dog and are prepared to volunteer some of you time, be it only once a month, the rewards you would receive yourself are beyond measure.

Other things Zena does:

Recently Zena was asked by the SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) to be one of the dogs they use to advertise fund-raising events. She just loves to do it, as it usually involves being surrounded by children. Not easily scared by strange things, she also appears with the big SPCA mascot in photoshoots.Zena also attends dog shows. While she has competed a few times with good placings, having added the title Champion to her name, she really does not enjoy showing in general. She would much rather advertise for Pets as Therapy or the SPCA: collecting money for the charities gets her the kind of attention she truly enjoys!

Kindly contributed by Marlé Treurnicht - Ningkai Chows. (Zena has since passed away.)

Ch Lionbear Zena of Ningkai CGC HD0:1 - red rough adult female. Proving the versatility of the Chow Chow's personality when well bred, raised and socialised!