Frenchies as Therapy Dogs

Frenchies: A Noble Breed With a Calling in Their Life.

There is a prevalent darkness hovering over you. Loneliness and the weight of depression are engulfing. You have no one near you who cares; either your closest relatives live too far away or they are too busy to visit. Day in, day out; the dynamics of this situation don't seem to change and your sadness deepens by the hour. Your pets would have alleviated some of this pain but they weren't allowed to go with you.  

We've all heard the horror stories and know the plight of the elderly quietly tucked away in nursing homes living in quiet desperation of solitude with the longing for someone to love and have that love reciprocated. Now cut to the next scene; out of the blue comes a hero to rescue you. This isn't your everyday hero who rides in to save the day and at film's end rides off into a blazing sunset while the credits roll. No, he isn't tall, dark, and handsome; he's short, squatty, bat-faced, and not only does he snore; he makes funny snorting sounds like a pig, and if that isn't enough, he madly licks your face.  

This golden drop of sunshine in someone's bleak world is a French Bulldog, one you can hold on your lap, cuddle, talk to, and have your picture taken with. Talk to the owner about your new friend, ask them questions, tell them about the dogs you owned when you were younger. Lo and behold, guess what? You've made a friend. The joy of life has returned. You're blossoming once more and there's a spring in your step. Suddenly you have something to look forward to in life. This unfolding drama with its happy ending was brought to you by Therapy Dog Visitation Productions. Who says all dramas have a tragic ending to them?  

Welcome to the world of the therapy dog visitation program. Independent research has established the long-term health benefits that the human-animal bond has. Because pets are a source of devoted companionship their presence in our lives alleviates the aloneness affiliated with depression. Patients who have undergone surgery have a proven faster recuperation rate than those who have never had a therapy dog visit them. Those undergoing physical therapy have shown a marked improvement at the rate in which they heal and adjust once they've been introduced to a therapy dog. Patients in general tend to become more active and responsive both during and after visiting with these pets. Sustained dog therapy visits actually reduce some symptoms or effects of illness. Withdrawn patients become more responsive and alert after such visits. Therapy dogs are becoming so widely recognized for their value that many homes and care facilities now have in house dogs which reside in the center and usually go home with a staff member at night.

It’s time for you to meet the star of this show. We are pleased to introduce to you the French Bulldog. And why the French Bulldog? French Bulldogs are well suited to this role. Not only do they love the attention, the interaction, and the new laps to claim space in, they are extremely eager to please their owners. The natural tendency to interact well with other species makes them the ideal candidate for the job. As perfectly suited as they are for this role, they still need to audition for the part. Their evaluation is crucial before jumping into therapy work. Some of the scenes will be new, frightening or confusing to your Frenchie. You as his manager need to be prepared on how to handle some of these situations that can arise, such as a seriously impaired person trying to handle your dog less than gently.

What to do Once You've Made Up Your Mind About Frenchies

If you are seriously thinking about taking part in therapy work with your Frenchie, accompany an experienced handler on a few visits first so you can make sure the experience is something you and your Frenchie will be comfortable doing. The best way to get started in doing therapy work with your Frenchie is to join a therapy dog group.

Why Don't Therapy Dogs Wear Vests?

Therapy dogs are meant to be petted, vests cut down on the petting area. Additionally, the use of vests can confuse a therapy dog with a service dog. Besides Frenchies would oppose having their petting area being infringed upon.

What is a Frenchie Therapy Dog?

Several traits define the characteristics of a good therapy dog key among which is their outstanding temperament. A therapy dog tolerates other animals, wants to visit with people, loves children, and gets along with other dogs. Does your loving, little bat-faced Frenchie fit the criteria?