Make a change with man’s best friend
You and your dog could help to change people's lives, in partnership with a Benoni-based organisation.
Paws for People Therapy Dogs is a non-profit organisation (NPO) based in Rynfield.
The organisation was founded in 1998, by Lesley de Klerk, with the mission to responsibly bring together domestic animals and people in a warm, non-threatening, educational manner.
This is to encourage and allow them to interact positively through a professional and friendly approach.
Paws for People offers both Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) and Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) programmes.
East Rand unit leader Eileen Calvert said the AAA programme provides opportunities for motivational, educational, recreational and therapeutic benefits, to enhance the quality of life.
“The AAT programme is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process,” she explained.
Both AAA and AAT focuses on patients in rehabilitation, children with special learning needs, frail care centres for the elderly and physically challenged patients.
“In the Benoni area we visit Life the Glynnwood Hospital (oncology centre), Eddy House, in Fairleads, Country Life Retirement Home, Rynpark Four and Six and pre-primary and primary schools in the Benoni area,” Calvert said.
She added that dogs don’t need to speak to communicate, which is extremely helpful when working with children, and that dogs can provide motivation for children in learning.
“Visits from dogs alleviate loneliness, encourage verbal interaction, bring laughter, feelings of being loved, feelings of less pain and having someone to visit you without asking any questions about your illness,” Calvert said.
“Dogs are just great listeners.”
She explained that therapy dogs are not breed specific.
“We provide dog training where puppies attend puppy school; exposure and early learning start during a pup’s critical early learning period, from the age of three weeks to 16 weeks.
“A dog will go through an assessment of four to five hours, to see if it is suitable,” said Calvert.
Paws for People therapy dogs are assessed together with their handlers, to determine the working suitability of the pair.
Community members who are interested in either being assessed as handlers or being part of the dog team may visit www.pawsforpeople.co.za.
