Therapy dogs - best friends, and good medicine besides
July 14, 2005

By Ryan Robinson

Photos by Ralph Stewart In a bit of role playing, Barbara Armstrong and her Labrador Maggie approach Jeanne Brouillette, as she uses a walker. Photo by Ralph Stewart
A flashing camera was squared on graduates in Tisbury School as their instructor wore a proud smile. A damp oily scent like last winter’s ski sweater or a childhood swimming hole drifted through the gymnasium. Some were attentive, others whined, scratched their ears, and sniffed their neighbors. An under-sized graduation cap fell to the hardwood floor. Diplomas were disbursed, they read: “Congratulations upon completion of an introduction to becoming a therapy dog team.”

Nine dogs with eight owners spent Saturday, July 9 participating in a series of lessons and tests designed to obtain an owner-pet therapy team certification. Dogs Building Opportunities for Nurturing and Emotional Support (Dog B.O.N.E.S) administered the tests and presented the certification. The qualification allows graduates to gain entry and provide assistance in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, libraries, and schools across Massachusetts.

“[Dog B.O.N.E.S.] gives them an orientation about what it’s like to take the dogs into facilities and the needs of people with disabilities,” said Jeanne Brouillette, founder and president of the non-profit organization.

“There are good owners and dogs who need to get out in the community. Dogs are the conduit,” said Ms. Brouillette

It was with obvious optimism and pride that she told her class about a visit in which a patient vocalized for the first time

The atmosphere was relaxed during Ms. Brouillette’s workshop. One Newfoundland, four Labradors, and four greyhounds stood at their owner’s heels or were easily coaxed through orientations with walkers and wheelchairs. The dogs maintained a generally professional attitude with only one brief altercation followed swiftly by reprimands and tail-tucking embarrassment. The group occasionally broke to fill water dishes or “take a pee.”

Most owners spoke about their canine counterparts like proud parents of spelling bee contestants. They knew the therapeutic nature of their pets. The Dog B.O.N.E.S. certification was merely an all-access pass to spread their thoughts.

“Sabby loves this people interaction,” said Marsha Shufrin of Aquinnah about her mellow Labrador. Ms. Shufrin was one of three school employees in attendance who entertained the idea of bringing their dogs to an in-school reading program. Certified dogs and owners may become “reading partners.” During her workshop, Ms. Brouillette explained literacy may improve when a student reads to an animal free of the criticism or pressure inherent in the classroom. Ms. Shufrin said Sabby’s disposition is ideal for this type of program. Her six-year-old Lab is so affectionate with strangers that she was once barely recovered when a smitten Florida couple attempted to ship her off-Island.

The four greyhounds moved across the slippery gym floor cautiously, very aware of their lanky limbs. Paws were picked up in elegant, exaggerated steps.

Beth Trieshman of Tisbury had already visited Jabberwocky with her greyhound, Honey Bear. The workshop lessons were not far removed from Ms. Trieshmann’s professional philosophy as a massage therapist.

“I believe in touch therapy and this is another way to reach the community through touch. The disabled love it. [Greyhounds] are great for the handicapped, they will stand right by the chair. They are just so appreciative of affection.” She credited her son’s mastery of his dog fear to their mild disposition

The other racing dog owners echoed Ms. Trieshmann’s feelings towards the animals and all had owned multiple greyhounds.

“I have a passion for greyhounds,” said Betsy Macpherson, “the more you bond with them the more you see them blossom.”

There is a growing population of the racing dogs on Martha’s Vineyard that have been adopted from Riverbend farm in Falmouth, an organization that facilitates the placement of retired track dogs, said Ms. Macpherson. Most greyhounds spend retirement as companion dogs with little desire to duplicate the intense activity that accompanies their life at the track. Instead, they seek the affection and companionship that is missing from their training. This makes them ideal for the Dog B.O.N.E.S. program, said Ms. Macpherson.

Laureen Canha and her lumbering Newfoundland Tango both have long twisting ink-black hair. They look the part of a team and Dog B.O.N.E.S. was just the first in a line of volunteer plans. With Ms. Canha as his handler, Tango will travel off-Island to train as a search and rescue dog. Newfoundlands are ideal near water in this capacity due to an uncanny sense of smell that enables them to identify people far below the surface quicker than a rescue diver could.

Leaving Tisbury School, therapy dog certification in hand, graduates agreed that Ms. Brouillette’s Dog B.O.N.E.S program in the right facility had the ability to stimulate intellectual or physical development. They expressed a common goal to spread their owner-pet interactions to people who could benefit.

Ms. Brouillette sifted through leftover bone-stamped bandanas, leashes, and dog vests “You know the poem about how you lived your life is on that dash between birth and death dates on your tombstone? Well, this is what I’m doing with my dash,” she said. Send this page to a friend:
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©The Martha's Vineyard Times 2005 - www.mvtimes.com