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Make a doc out of your dog
CANINE CHARM Dogs have been successfully used as part of therapy for challenged children Photo: V. Ganesan
Following worldwide success stories, including from Chennai and Bangalore, the Dr. Dog programme is set to be launched in Hyderabad. Highlighting the therapeutic effects animals, particularly dogs, have on children with learning debilities, a seminar was recently conducted by the Institute of Remedial Intervention Services led by Mythili Chari.
Nandita Krishna, one of the speakers, narrated a successful case from Saraswati Kendra in Chennai. She described that during the Dr. Dog programme, children who had never spoken a word, opened up and began to converse with dogs brought to share their classes; children who are shy and reclusive become sociable; children who were afraid or recovering from trauma healed faster.
If a dog can make such a difference in a child's life simply by its presence showing unconditional friendship, attention and acceptance; it paves the way for the human race to elevate its view of animals and respect them. This article comes as an invitation to all pet dog owners who would like to volunteer their time and their pet to help special (autistic) children. The search for Dr. Dog is on! The temperament of the Dr. Dog is a very special one. It cannot be sick or shy, bad tempered or lazy, too playful or aggressive, noisy or snappy, or anything else that can disturb the children. If you have a pet dog that is well mannered and in the best of health please send an email or call and register your pet with us. A word of caution is that among 50 pets perhaps one or two may fit the Dr. Dog description.
Your pet will be assessed by experts and only those with the most balanced temperament will be selected to train. After training, the dog is given the Dr. Dog role to work with children with special needs. Identification tags are presented to be worn by the team of dog and owner, as the Dr. Dog must be respected as a working participant and not a toy or plaything. Dr. Dog and the owner then visit specific schools on days organised by the Institute of Remedial Intervention Services.
If you would like to have your pet participate please contact:
Blue Cross of Hyderabad - Tel 32989858, 2544355.
Institute of Remedial Intervention Services - Mythili Chari, Tel: 23313587
Animal Care Clinic - Dr. Lakshmi Ramana, Tel: 23352474
People For Animals - Tel: 27537540.
AMALA AKKINENI
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