Dogs waiting to enter the hospital rooms of sick children for animal therapy time.

[demmiblue]

Link to tweet

[Happyhippychick]

1. One of my favorite images

Dogs are the best invention ever.

[Arkansas Granny]

2. Aw, who's a good doggie? How sweet.

[ffr]

3. Something other than chaos and school shootings for a change. Thank you!

The news thus far this week hasn't been good at all!

[Botany]

4. Dogs are the best people

[Sophiegirl]

5. Did you really have to....

...make me tear up?

[flibbitygiblets]

13. +1

[Auggie]

18. +2

[TrogL]

6. Thats what I want to do if I ever get to retire

My wife was in the hospital and I was allowed to bring our dog to visit. Caused havoc because everybody including the nurses and doctors wanted to pet him.

[forgotmylogin]

7. They look so eager and happy to help!

Cesar Milan always says "dogs are happiest when they have a job" and I have to agree.

[MineralMan]

8. Ready and eager to get to work!

Dogs are terrific!

[onecent]

9. I've never seen this done before. What a wonderful idea!!!!

[Scarsdale]

10. The kids morale

must rise, once the dogs show up. My late husband always said "Never trust anyone who does not like dogs" I would add "any animal" to that.

[GeoWilliam750]

11. All dogs go to heaven

(Received directly from a highly placed source)

[PatSeg]

12. Oh my god

That is so touching! Thanks for posting, I needed that.

[StarryNite]

14. What a beautiful sight!

Happy tears...

[colorado_ufo]

15. NOW I am having a good day!

[Ohiogal]

16. Is there anything better than a doggie cuddle?

[Grammy23]

17. Animal therapy works in nursing homes, too!

Plus, petting your doggie is a pretty easy, cost effective way to help your blood pressure. And there are no drug interactions or side effects to worry about! In the era of tRump, we should have all been issued a therapy dog! (Or cat, bunny, etc)

[lunatica]

37. Oh! There are huge side effects!

Love. Happiness. Tranquility. Laughter. Giggles. Love piles! Smiles. Licks. Kisses. Hugs. Softness. Horseplay. Petting. Lots and lots of side effects! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💝💜🖤❣️💕💘💖💗💓💞?️🐶

[Grammy23]

45. Maybe I should have said nasty side effects!

Those side effects you mentioned are all bonuses and benefits! 😉 Oh, and forgot to mention that they’re contagious. I’m willing to bet that the staff and visitors reap the benefit, too! Bring on the pet parade! 🐕 🐩 🐈 🐇 🐶 🐰 🐱

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

53. Yes. Animals, friendly, well behaved, and properly taken care of

animals belong in nursing homes.

I've already made it very clear to my son that if I ever go into a nursing home, and especially if I need to be in a dementia unit, I must be in one with cats. Since I was bringing home strays by the time I was three, I can't imagine that so long as I retain any awareness of the world around me I won't want to be with cats.

Ideally I'd be in a place with several cats, a dog or two, some small birds, and possibly turtles or other small living things.

[CelticWinter]

19. there is nothing like

a dog to bring a smile to anyone's face.
Celtic

[hotrod0808]

20. Today, of all days

I needed to see this. That's all I'm gonna write about that.

[Sam McGee]

21. Therapy dogs . . .

My mother died 11 years ago last week of pancreatic cancer. She was in residential hospice for a month. We were not an animal family, never had dogs or cats. She was a little uncertain when the therapy dog showed up. It took about a minute then she and the dog were suddenly best friends -- she wanted the dog to move in with her!!! Looked forward to the dogs' visits until she went unconscious for the last few days.

[exboyfil]

22. I love my border collie boy

but he is only really affectionate when he wants something from me (usually a walk). He does like an initial pet - especially from a kid, but then he wants to get about his business.

My sheltie/aussie mix though. She will let you pet your arm off.

[JustAnotherGen]

23. Pssst - My Maltese does this

He did the extra training this past summer. The kids AND vets hospital looooove him.

And he loves them back!

Thank you for sharing this - I see this look the minute we roll up to the hospital like:


Doggy Doodle Uncle Ruckus reporting for duty!

[Upthevibe]

24. Who's a good dog....Who's a good

dog!

[Codeine]

25. Uncle Ruckus?!

I love that character.

[JustAnotherGen]

49. snort

It was going to be Spanky - we actually 'chipped' him that way. But after we got stuck on the bridge from Staten Island back to New Jersey for an hour when we picked him up as a little pup -

We said - naaaaaaaaaw. Uncle Ruckus it is! That's the first time he 'howled' AND did his grumble talk.

And you know - if Uncle Ruckus came to life he'd be pretty happy about a MALTESE being named after him!

I love it when people get the 'joke'.

[mopinko]

26. my bulldog does this, too. at a hospice.

some days i walk out just shaking my head at the magic that is dogs.

[mucifer]

29. We still haven't crossed paths Mo

[mopinko]

30. i know!!!

we have to fix that.

[JustAnotherGen]

50. Amen - I have to say

Two weeks ago - the day of the 2nd noreaster - I broke my foot.

My dog literally came to my rescue. Grumbled encouragement every step I pulled myself up from the basement, 'broke the rules' and go a rag hanging on the dishwasher handle, put his paw where he knew the ice was (we have a French Fridge - freezer on the bottom), licked my left foot, encouraged me to get ice . . .

He then was jumping up and down at windows for 15/120 minutes trying to get my husband - OR- the police (one corner of my house where a power line had JUST gone down) - OR the Fireman (other side of the street where a power line had JUST gone down) . . . my husband was just standing outside being nosy - but it gets better.

He finally gives up - and Malteses can actually 'cry'. He comes over sits down in front of me and is grumbling and crying - and the weepy tears are going.

But what to my wandering eye do I spy? My cell phone on an end table where I put his biscuit every morning.

I say, "Ruck - go get Beta's phone"

He looks at me with that little head - gives me a tilt and is trying to figure out the word.

So I point and say - Phone where I put your biscuit every morning.

He runs over, jumps on the armchair and pushes my phone off the end table then nudges on the floor to me.

And then I call my husband whose phone is on . . . the counter.

And the dog lays down and puts his head on his paws and sighs in frustration.

Thank God for messaging - got my neighbor to tell my husband to get his ass back inside - your wife busted her foot!

[mopinko]

52. well that's a story for the ages.

they are crazy smart in ways we will never understand.
glad he was there for you!!

[Staph]

27. My hospital had a therapy dog visiting oncology

at the time of my last couple of chemo treatments.

While I truly appreciate the sentiment, I felt I couldn't pet the dog that all of these other folk had been petting. My immune system was shot and I didn't want to pick up yet another cold!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

28. Why not bring in some cats?

I'm sure dog lovers will be complete hornswoggled to learn this, but not everyone loves dogs.

[SergeStorms]

38. Cats are not inherently disposed.....

to pleasing people. Cats are out for themselves, or so it seems to me anyway. Most could care less of they have human contact or not (except at feeding time), in my experience. I'm sure many cats show their owners love, and even loyalty, but that takes years of interaction between the human and cat. Dogs, on the other hand, don't need years to develop trust with a human. It's almost instantaneous. This characteristic has been bred into dogs for centuries, possibly millennium.

Cats like to climb, too. Climbing in Hospital rooms would be a definite no-no. I'm sure you've heard the old saw, "like herding cats". They certainly have a mind of their own, and don't lend themselves to obeying commands.

You'll say, "you're not a cat person", and you'd be correct. We had cats around all the time when I was younger, but somehow, someway, I developed allergies to cats at around the age of 20. Never even a sniffle before then, so I don't know what caused it, it just happened.

No, I don't think "therapy cats" would catch on. That's just my opinion of course, and I certainly could be wrong.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

39. There are cats that are very predisposed to like humans and be affectionate to them.

There's a B&B somewhere (in Minnesota I think) that has resident cats. You book a room, you get the cat that goes with that room.

My neighbor across the street has a cat that is SO friendly, the first time I met her (the neighbor has been there the nine years I've lived here, the cat came when her daughter moved in with her) that I'm tempted to take that cat home with me. The first time I met the cat she raced over to me, purred and let me pick her up.

If enough people took the time, I'm sure therapy cats would become a thing.

So yes, as a cat person I fully understand the general stand-offishness of most cats. But my essential point is that not all of us love dogs. In fact, thanks to incessantly barking neighbor's dogs, I've grown to really dislike dogs. They bark. They bark. Did I mention they bark? Sometimes I cannot walk into my back yard or into my front yard without the neighbors' dogs barking. You can hear them from half a block away. I've never heard a cat from even the next door.

And in a less hostile manner, what I truly love about cats is how they can curl up on your lap or next to you and purr. There's a comfort in that that is completely unlike what dogs can offer.

Anyway, I'm not truly intending to trash dogs, but just want to bring up the issue of not everyone adoring dogs.

Oh, and you notice that cat people don't bring their cats into public spaces expecting everyone will love the cat.

[SergeStorms]

42. There are no bad dogs.....

there are just bad dog owners who don't take the time to train them properly. We have problems with feral cats within our Village. They dig up our flower and vegetable gardens for their "litter" boxes. Every night we're treated to cat fights and incessant 'yowling'. There are hundreds of them, but the Village doesn't have the money to catch, neuter and find homes for them. I don't believe it's the cats' fault. I believe it's the fault of the people who set them run free to run wild.

Hey, I admitted I could be wrong about some cats, and you've so graciously pointed out that I am. You're a cat person, I'm a dog person, but we both love animals and believe they're beneficial to our existence. AND we're both Democrats, so there's more common ground here than there are deep divides.

Peace.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

43. You are right about the bad dog owners.

I have a friend who is a dog person and who NEVER trains her dogs properly. They bark and bark and are impossible. She is among the reasons I dislike dogs.

I have never had the misfortune to live with lots of feral cats. Lucky me. I have lived where people let their cats roam, but that has become less and less common over the years. Yowling cats are not fun, to put it mildly.

Some years back I did volunteer work at a local animal shelter. On weekends I worked the information desk. Volunteers walked the dogs, and because of the layout of the shelter they always had to walk by my desk. It didn't take very long for me to be completely taken by the fact that every single dog wanted to greet every single human they met. The connection between dogs and humans (if not always vice versa) was astonishing. Clearly we two species have been together for a very long time.

I do respect the human dog connection, but for me a lot of that connection has been broken. Too bad, because I also see a lot of wonderful aspects of dogs.

[crazycatlady]

47. Contact your local SPCA

They might have a TNR program for feral cats. Or be able to connect you with someone who does.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

54. I don't actually see feral cats where I am.

They may well be out there, but the only cats I see are, and this is rarely, a cat who has a home who is either sometimes allowed to be outside or has gotten out anyway.

[crazycatlady]

46. therapy cats exist

Not to the extent of dogs, but kitty snuggles are one of life's pleasures.


https://www.buzzfeed.com/kaelintully/3-inspiring-therapy-cats-who-are-changing-lives?utm_term=.ewVM9EAvk#.bckLjr0MD

[JustAnotherGen]

51. In the children's

Illness ward my dog visits (many children with cancer) -

Because he's a Maltese (very very low chance of allergies) and extremely well trained - and I give him a bath before bringing him in -

He's very predictable. One thing the kids love is that they can throw a toy and he brings it right back, does circles on his hind legs, can 'rally' (we did that in September), etc. etc.

I would bet in a nursing home a cat would be great - but the entertainment and low dander on a dog with 'silky hair' is probably preferable for little people with compromised immune systems.

And on that note - even the feral cats that hang out in our shelter love my Maltese! They don't mess with him - but they sure do watch him like -

Why is that 'thing' banging a baby squirrel on the fence by the tail. BAD DOG!

[CTyankee]

31. When I was sick my daughter came and got me and took me to her house. Her lab

"knew" I was ill and scratched at the door to my room. She slept on the floor of my room by my bed (she would have jumped up on the bed with me but I didn't want that). I think she knew one of her humans was ill and needed her companionship.

What a dear dog. I think she helped me recover...

[Az_lefty]

32. What a wonderful idea

[demigoddess]

33. I'm a cat person but give those dogs a kiss from me.

they are heroes. Ps. we did have a cat who curled up to my daughter's back with scoliosis, to comfort her, played a game with her and generally was a good guy.

[raven mad]

34. I ADORE these critters! Except for ICU/Isolation, they're all over our local hospital.

Not just for the kids, even! Us oldies get visits if we're there more than a few days (me, 2 weeks ago, and one slobbery, adorable Husky). We even have a therapy cat group! My oldest, before crossing the Rainbow Bridge, was recruited and loved it.

Here's to therapy critters!

Word is some potbellied pigs are currently in training. Another couple of volunteers with cockatoos will enroll their chirpers soon.





ADOPT!!!
?8I1KcSbboEeoqhg1tIUxOigzyyHXXpl4

Excellent uplifting, heartwarming post, demmiblue. THANK YOU!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

40. Therapy parrots! Now that's something I'd support!

Many years ago I had an African Gray. Maybe someday I'll have another one.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

35. tweet tweet tweet tweet - pls excerpt for those of us who arent tweeters nt

[summer_in_TX]

36. Love this!!!

My husband and I had dogs reappear in our lives a couple of years ago after we'd had a dry spell of five years after our 17-year-old Lily died. Christmas night 2016 after dinner my husband heard something at our carport door. He opened it to look out and a little dog in a red collar with no tags walked in and proceeded to jump up on the couch and cuddle. Well-behaved, playful and affectionate, clearly someone's pet.

But no one claimed him in spite of all our signs, and Facebook postings. Every day, my husband would say again that we didn't want a dog. But after two weeks went by without a peep, we ended up with "Buddy."

Boy are we blessed! Unconditional love, a joyous welcome home, entertainment…

I read the best quote about dogs not long after he became a member of our family. "What did we ever do to deserve dogs?" Says it all.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

41. Thank you for that story.

My best cat was one that showed up in our driveway in the middle of a terrible heat wave in Kansas -- over 100 degrees for a week. We never figured out where she came from, but she was the best of all possible cats.

Sometimes our feline or canine friends are just destined to come into our lives.

[summer_in_TX]

48. He was definitely a God-send.

And he's such a good guy, sweet, loving, practically perfect (he does have one bad habit, a tendency to chew up pencils if we are away awhile). He came after my husband developed some health problems and was struggling with loneliness and depression since I was working and he was retired. Buddy's love and playfulness, and that of our second dog we got as a friend for Buddy has made a major difference for him. They go for walks and meet friends on their walks.

[Honeycombe8]

44. Awwwwwww.

[red dog 1]

56. Kick for cuteness!

Reminds me of that photo of about 20 or 25 therapy dogs patiently waiting outside Parkland High School the day the students were returning to school.