.

Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Lynn Carter loves to make people happy, especially when it involves her dog Dexter.

Carter volunteers with the St. John Ambulance therapy dog program. Program volunteers bring their dogs into hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, seniors' residences and nursing homes for patients and residents to experience some joy and relaxation from the presence of a pet.

Lynn Carter, right, and her corgi named Dexter sit with Aven Manor resident Ruth Mould on Valentine's Day. Carter is part of a therapy dog program offered by St. John Ambulance. - photo courtesy of Lynn Carter

"We've been doing this program for three years now," Carter said. "We visit a couple of different places in town on a regular basis."

The group of a dozen or so volunteers and their dogs currently visit Aven Manor and the Mary Murphy Home weekly to spend time with residences. Carter said they are trying to promote their program so they can find new places to visit.

"We want to generate more interest for our volunteers," she said. "All of us love our dogs and be with them as much as we can and if we can help brighten a person's day, it's great."

Wanda Martin, recreations therapy co-ordinator for Aven Manor, just couldn't say enough great things about the program and its effect on the manor's residents.

"It's marvellous," she said. "A lot of them had pets of their own - in long-term care you can't have that anymore. A living, breathing cuddly animal that you can pet and pick up is really good for their souls."

Martin said Aven Manor was approached by St. John Ambulance and they have been pleased with the no-pressure situation the volunteers and pets provide.

"They take the responsibility of making sure the dogs are all in good health and well-behaved," she said. "We have to be careful because it's a medical facility. It took a big load off us because we could trust the dogs when they come in."

The therapy program also works with a reading program called TAILS - Therapy Animals Increase Literacy Success. Children who need extra practice reading get to spend time with a volunteer and their dog and read to their new four-legged friend.

"Any extra practice for a kid with reading is a good thing," Carter said. "It increases self confidence and all those good things."

Carter said groups interested in having the dog therapy program bring their four-legged friends into their lives can contact the St. John Ambulance for more information.