Therapy dogs

Hi All,

There is a great conversation on Facebook that I want to share with you.

“Hello everyone. Just wanting to know if anyone here has a therapy dog? Was/Are they useful in your recovery from stroke? My daughter is nearly 2 and we are exploring the option of getting her a therapy dog for her stroke recovery (she has right side Hemiplegia). Any feedback is welcome. Thanks heaps Dee.”

Here are the responses from the community:

Jo Smith: Yes! Most definitely! My daughter was four & we got a gorgeous caviller king charles who was an absolute blessing! Had our beautiful boy 12 years & he helped in so many ways. The OT & physical attributes helped her so much, along with the love x

Christine Bakarnis Therapy dogs visit hospitals; delta dogs & you could always approach an organization in nsw I think called taloodles. They have beautiful labradoodles. All the best with your research.

Antonio Iannella I got my first dog after my stroke. Not a therapy dog, but great therapy. Gets me out walking a lot and a good companion. When we play fight he instinctively knows not to play bite my affected arm. Highly recommended :)

Eleanor McCarthy I got a dog for my husband and it greatly helped his mental health and motivation to get moving and be outside more. Dogs are the best.

Ree Alice I did not get a therapy (specifically trained) dog however as some here have seemed to suggest, my dog has been fantastic therapy in my ongoing recovery. And great companionship. An active dog generally, she seemed to sense all was not well when I returned home from hospital and was very gentle and quite anticipatory of my movements etc. I think a gentle dog would be wonderful for your daughter, all the very best.

Dee Banks That's what I was asking if there are therapy dogs specific to those who have had a stroke or cerebral palsy as a result of stroke. I will do some research through carers Victoria and see how I go.

Dee Banks

Dee Banks I have read there are dogs trained to look for signs of seizure and stroke and will alert parents of the child etc. I think she would benefit from the companionship as well.

Helen Vasicek

Helen Vasicek hi Dee has anyone asked you to consider some 3d watching i know it has been used in therepy overseas and th e results are quite good. The way it works is it trains the brain to use your limbs. if you research 3d in stroke recovery. there is quite a bit of info.

Jo Smith Dee we first came across the therapy dogs in the Mater Children's hospital Brisbane in 2002 & to see how they helped my daughter & see her smile just melted my heart! We spoke to our OT & she highly recommend it. Good luck you can't go wrong. Would highly recommend a Cavy gorgeous natured x