Promoting and equitably assisting organizations in the integration of animal-assisted therapies for the physical, mental, and emotional benefit of individuals in public and private settings, one paw at a time.
The Impact of Therapy Dogs in the Healthcare Setting
“The newest canine CARE team dog, Landon, is popular not only with patients, but with employees, who enjoy seeing him on the job” (Houser, 2024).
I recently read a social media post by Canine Companions in which the organization highlighted therapy dog Landon and his involvement in the UC Davis Health’s CARE (Creativity, Amenities, Relaxation, Exploration) Project. UC Davis Health takes great pride in the CARE Project, with a focus on treating the whole patient: mind, body, and spirit, its mission goes beyond conventional medical approaches, and recognizes the therapeutic power of what may at first seem to be unconventional—the human-animal bond.
In a healthcare environment, where stress and anxiety can be overwhelming, the introduction of therapy dogs like Landon serves as a beacon of hope and motivation. The partnership between UC Davis Health, Landon and his volunteer handler, Pat Tull, exemplifies the profound impact animals can have on the well-being of individuals facing health challenges. You see, Landon’s supportive role to patients and staff alike, not only highlights the significance of certified therapy dogs but also emphasizes the compassion and comfort they bring to those undergoing hospitalization, and those delivering the medical care.
The CARE Project and UC Davis Health’s commitment to the human-animal bond contributes to patients’ emotional well-being and encourages their active engagement in treatment, which fosters a holistic approach to healthcare. Katie Lorain, the creative arts and recreation therapy manager of the CARE Project, observes patients moved to tears upon encountering a therapy dog, which underscores the transformative nature of these interactions. Lorain’s observations of the patient-therapy dog relationship in the health care setting serves as a testament to the unique and invaluable role that animals can play in enhancing the human experience, especially in challenging circumstances.
The emotional response of patients, often moved to tears at the mere sight of these canine companions, speaks volumes about the profound connection forged in these moments. Let the story of therapy dog Landon and UC Davis Health’s CARE Project remind readers of the healing power embedded in the simplicity of a wagging tail and a comforting presence. Let Landon, and his fellow pawesome therapy dogs, reinforce the idea that, sometimes, love at first sight can come in the form of a furry friend bringing solace and security during moments of vulnerability.
Dr. Jessica Maricevic’s 5 Key Advantages of Including Therapy Dogs to Your Professional Sports Organization
In the high-stakes world of professional sports, the physical prowess of athletes often takes center stage, leaving their mental well-being in the shadows. As teams strive for excellence, it’s crucial to recognize the holistic needs of their players.
One innovative approach worth exploring is the inclusion of therapy dogs to support the mental wellness of athletes and foster a healthier organizational environment. Below is an overview of my research-based advantages of including therapy dogs to your professional sports organization (Maricevic, 2022):
1. Stress Reduction and Anxiety Management: Professional athletes face immense pressure, both on and off the field. Introducing therapy dogs to the team dynamic can provide a natural and effective means of stress reduction. Numerous studies have shown that interacting with dogs can lower cortisol levels and release oxytocin, promoting a sense of calm and reducing anxiety. In high-stakes situations, a therapy dog could be a game-changer in helping athletes manage stress.
2. Team Cohesion and Communication: A therapy dog can serve as a unifying force within the team, fostering camaraderie and open communication. The presence of a non-judgmental companion can break down barriers, encouraging athletes to connect with each other on a more personal level. Improved team dynamics can translate into better on-field collaboration and synergy.
3. Mental Resilience and Performance Optimization: Success in professional sports often hinges on mental resilience. Therapy dogs can aid in developing this resilience by providing unconditional support during challenging times. Athletes may find comfort and motivation in the consistent presence of a loyal companion, enhancing their mental fortitude and ultimately contributing to better performance outcomes.
4. Enhancing the Team Environment: A therapy dog isn’t just beneficial for individual athletes; it can positively impact the entire team environment. A relaxed and supportive atmosphere can contribute to increased job satisfaction, lower burnout rates, and a more positive organizational culture. Teams that prioritize mental wellness are likely to attract top-tier talent and retain experienced athletes.
5. Community Engagement and Brand Image: Beyond the team’s internal dynamics, incorporating a therapy dog can bolster community engagement and enhance the organization’s public image. Athletes participating in community events alongside therapy dogs can create a positive and relatable image, fostering a deeper connection between the team and its fan base.
While there is no guarantee that the inclusion of a therapy dog will bring the championship at the end of the season, the mere presence of the therapy dog in your professional sports organization represents a progressive step toward prioritizing the mental wellness of athletes and creating a healthier team environment. By recognizing the symbiotic relationship between mental and physical well-being, teams can position themselves at the forefront of athlete care, ultimately contributing to sustained success on and off the field.
My original creation; a digital design to welcome Instagram viewers to visit this blog post. My inspiration for this graphic stems from my love of the ocean, Montauk, and of course, dogs | J. Maricevic, 2023.
I recently read a funny meme. It was something along the lines of, “there are some people who should never have met my dog.” That might even be the exact wording, but I’m not quite sure.
I thought it was a funny post. I even considered reposting it. I thought about being cute and crossing out “dog” and replacing it with “dogs” (because I have four), or changing it to something like, “there are just some people who will never meet my dog, or dogs,” or maybe even, “there are just some people who will never meet my dog, or dogs, again,” because, well…
Listen, I know there are some people who simply do not deserve to be around any living creature due to their decision to treat an innocent being inhumanely. Let me be very clear on that point. Any unkind or abusive treatment is an obvious red flag, a scarlet letter forever emblazoned on a person’s chest, and that’s right, that person will never, ever be around your dogs, or my dogs, nor should they be around any other dogs or innocent beings.
So yes, there is at least one possible exception to the should never meet my dogs scenario. But was the concept behind the post, while produced in jest, further perpetuating negative thinking, energy and creating disharmony?
And then I got to thinking…
Why would there even be a person, or people, in an individual’s life who should never have met a person’s dog, or dogs, or never have the chance to meet a person’s dog in the future, or never have the opportunity to see them again? Yup, that’s a rhetorical question. You and I both have our own answers to our whys.
In normal Jess-fashion, I contemplated, reflected, and personalized the thought to better empathize with a person who holds such strong sentiments, and even take a moment to better empathize with myself.
I reverted back to when I was able to tangibly embrace my passion (that’s 4 years old). Talk about a lot of years, and a lot of memories, and a lot of “stuff” to sift through. Memories, moments, and faces– the flickers of my mental time capsule, going at Mach speed. And with each face, memory, and moment, there were a few, not many, which did include people who, for all intents and purposes, were/are tied up in that silly little meme I referenced at the beginning of my post.
[Enter Thinking]
Ironically enough, the people who, in theory, should never have met my dogs, are the very people who, at the time, probably needed to meet my dogs the most. There are probably people I have yet to meet, who need to meet my dogs. There might even be people who have met my dogs, who really do need to meet them again. I am not quite sure how I feel about coming to such a realization. We fear the unknown right? Or is it that we fear the known?
My original creation; a mock-meme which I like to call, Probably the Ones who Needed to Meet them the Most. This image appears in my most recent instagram post | J. Maricevic, 2023.
A Transformative Impression
Dogs have a unique way of touching lives and teaching valuable lessons through their ability to bring joy, companionship, and help others become more patient, empathic, and responsible (Maricevic, 2022). Meeting another person’s dog can be a transformative experience for some individuals, even if they have had limited exposure to dogs or pets in general. It’s also possible that emotional competency development can happen without directly interacting with a person’s dog (Maricevic, 2022). It can also happen for a person who observes others interact with their furry family member.
Yes, that means when one person is able to witness (1) how another interacts with a dog, (2) how one person can love another being other than themselves or (3) a demonstration of reciprocal and unconditional love in return, those observations alone have the potential to leave a positive impression on a person’s psyche (Maricevic, 2022). Not just any impression, a transformative impression; an impression for the better.
Interacting either directly or indirectly with a dog can model what it looks and feels like to give and receive unconditional love, how to develop trust, embrace responsibilities, and the importance of living in the present moment (Maricevic, 2022). Such observations can also provide an opportunity for empathic growth, as others learn to understand the needs and behaviors of the do, in turn strengthens a person’s ability to develop and form bonds over time with humans and dogs (Maricevic, 2022).
Let’s not forget, dogs are known to have a positive impact on mental health, reducing stress and anxiety. For people who may be struggling emotionally or socially, a dog could provide a source of comfort, support, and a means for connecting with others during moments when feeling isolated, or even ostracized from the world. Dogs serve as a bridge for connectivity, helping to establish, solidify, and even mend relationships.
Got Hope?
At first thought, there might be people who come to mind who should never have met a person’s dog, or never will get the chance to meet a person’s dog, or those who will never have the chance to meet a person’s dog again. Now, minus the aforementioned exception, I challenge that initial thinking. In fact, I propose those should never or will never statements, shift to maybe one day statements.
If one is to change from a never mindset, to a maybe mindset, does that potentiality provide more space for positive thoughts, and less negativity? Does a change from a never mindset, to a maybe mindset create a space for an unexpected connection, a misunderstanding understood, a missed connection redirected, or serendipitous happenstance?
Admittedly, a change in mindset may never bring a moment to reality, and even if it does present itself, the moment might be fleeting or the opportunity anticlimactic. Those maybes may never happen at all. Even so, if there exists an opportunity for personal growth and positive experiences, and that opportunity starts within the individual themselves through self-empowerment and self-actualization, and there is no harm being done to oneself physically or emotionally, no harm being done to another person physically or emotionally, and no harm done to any person’s dog or dogs, then perhaps it’s worthwhile in the long run?
Perhaps, at least start with a shift in mindset. Perhaps be open to the maybe?
Maybe, one day [fill in the blank}.
Easier said than done, you say?
Maybe.
But I figure, on this rainy summer’s day, it’s worth a try. Chalk it up to needing some Vitamin D, being over all this rain, or an exercise in strength conditioning…. ’tis the season to bulk up the mental and emotional fortitude needed for the time when the radiant rays of sunshine give way to crisp fall days.
Empathic Paws 