A 'paws-ative' connection

"There is no greater therapy than the love of a dog," says Susan Frick, caretaker at Boxwood Healthcare Nursing Home in Newman, and wife of Tim Frick, Marketing Representative at Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative in Paxton. Frick and her four-year-old Boxer, Sasha, can often be found roaming the hallways and brightening the days of residents who inhabit the facility.

The strong connection that can form between a pet and his or her owner is demonstrated every day in millions of homes around the world. However it wasn't until recently that this bond developed into the basis for what has become a powerful and familiar mode of therapy in many long-term health care facilities. Pet therapy is now being used to help with a wide range of medical and emotional ailments. Animals help with stress relief, physiotherapy, depression and short-term memory problems.

"The residents here just love Sasha," says Frick, who initially brought her dog to work one day because of a storm. "Sasha was afraid of the storm and I didn't have the heart to leave her at home knowing she was scared, so I just brought her to work with me. The residents' faces literally beamed at the sight of her." And that's how Sasha became a regular volunteer at the nursing home.

Animals like Sasha are recognized as being a positive force in the human spiritual and emotional healing process. "Dogs have a calming and therapeutic effect," says Frick. They help people cope with the emotional issues in their lives. They also offer the residents physical contact with another living creature, something that is often missing in an elderly person's life.

"You can lose many things when you get older. So many things can be taken away from you. Perhaps you can no longer drive your car, or stay at home alone. So having a pet come in to spend time with you is very important," says Frick. Sasha's presence alone helps to divert the residents' attention from their daily problems of stress, boredom and loneliness. "A pet gives you unconditional love and at-

Susan Frick, care taker at Boxwood Healthcare, and Sasha, her four' year-old boxer, visit with resident Evelyn Arwine.

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Resident Mildred Bishop is all smiles when Sasha and Susan Frick enter her room.

tention and never asks anything from you," say Frick. And through her own zest for life, Sasha helps the residents maintain a positive outlook on their own lives, which is the key to good health, happiness and staying young.

"I just love having Sasha here," says resident Evelyn Arwine, whose face literally lit up when Sasha entered her room. "I just can't say enough about how nice it is having her here," she says.

And resident Mildred Bishop adds, "I sure do look forward to her visits. I get really sad on the days when Sasha is not here. She's just so sweet and wonderful."

And the residents aren't the only people who benefit from Sasha's presence — the staff does too. Frick says that Sasha provides the staff with a break from the routine and stresses of working in a long-term facility environment. And because of their social natures, dogs of all kinds often genuinely like people and choose to be around them. Dogs have fantastic intuition and want to provide companionship and comfort to those who need it. "Dogs are very compassionate creatures. They want nothing more than to love you," says Frick.

But not every dog is cut out for pet therapy work. Frick says a dog must be well socialized, and be able to calmly handle all sorts of sounds, smells and sights. If a resident should happen to bump into your loyal partner or should a wheel chair accidentally come into contact with him or her, the dog must not panic or nip. "I remember one instance where Sasha's toe was rolled over by a wheel chair. Her toenail was bent backwards, but she didn't make a peep. In fact, we didn't even know she was hurt until we looked down and saw her toe," say Frick. "So it's important that a therapy dog has a gentle spirit and is well behaved."

That's exactly the kind of dog Sasha is. It's safe to say that Sasha has provided her share of joy to everyone she comes into contact with. And most of the residents would agree that she's been an easy pill to swallow.

From a small dog-sized animal known as the "dawn-horse," who lived more than 40 million years ago, came the noble, grandiose modern horses we know today. There are now more than 250 equine breeds, ranging from the heavy draft animals to the light horses, ponies and miniature horses.

The bond between horses and humans developed around 4000 B.C., when central Asians first tamed horses for riding. Today that bond still stands. And many people are thankful for the connection they have with horses, especially the students of Restoration Ranch in Shumway.

Running, dancing and jumping. These things come easily for most people, but for Ruthann Foil's students, that's a pretty tall order. Foil, owner and operator of the ranch, offers horseback riding as a form of physical therapy for special needs children.

Therapeutic horseback riding began in Europe more than 50 years ago. It grew from a spark of intuitive wisdom in a few dedicated equestrians, into an established treatment method, now widely recognized by the medical, psychiatric and social service professions worldwide.

The use of horseback riding as physical therapy is a rapidly growing concept. The benefits have proven to be enormous for individuals with all types of disabilities, including cerebral palsy, spina hifida, autism, Down's syndrome and mental retardation. Studies have shown that the

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Mitch (top) and Dan, are two students who have benefitted from Restoration Ranch's horse therapy program.

complex movement of a horse helps to improve coordination, balance, muscular development and fitness. Horseback riding and horse-related activities assist greatly, and often dramatically, in the development and restoration of personal confidence, self esteem, communication skills, leadership and trust. Foil says, "Because of the gentle rhythm of the horse's movements, a rider who is unable to walk alone can experience a motion similar to the human gait (the speed at which something moves), thereby improving flexibility, balance and muscle strength."

Foil says, "Many of my riders are confined to wheelchairs, and seldom feel the complete freedom of movement that so many people take for granted." Foil, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) understands this because she, too, has been confined to a wheelchair for many years other life.

"My horses have been a blessing to my life," she says. "I have one horse named Brandy, whom I love so much. She and I have always had an amazing connection. When I was in my early 20s I could still walk, but my MS was giving me a lot of difficulties in my legs. I went to see Brandy one day, but she was at the very end of the second pasture. I parked my car near the gate and walked out to her. I patted her and talked to her, and at that moment, I realized my legs were just too weak to walk back to my car. I don't know how Brandy knew, but somehow she knew I needed help. I leaned against her shoulder and she walked me all the way back to my car. She waited for me to get safely in and then she kicked up her back legs, bucked and ran back to the herd," Foil recalls. A horse's sensitivity to its environment is remarkable. Horses are very perceptive to people and that's why they are a great choice for children with special needs.

Foil started her business in 2000 because of her love of children. The ranch is available two evenings a week for the assistance of special needs children of any age. "My youngest student was an 18-month-old little girl named Kennedy. She could not walk or talk. She suffered from global delay. (A child with a global delay will have delays in all areas of development.) Her parents were at a loss and we were their last

Ruthann Foil, owner of Restoration Ranch, says helping children is her life.

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resort. Kennedy wasn't at all afraid of the horses. She got right on and began to ride. When it was time to take her off, we happened to get too close to another horse and she tried to climb onto the other horse. After several sessions, Kennedy eventually started communicating and taking steps," recalls Foil.

"We also had a young guy named Mitch who suffered from cerebral palsy. Mitch was eight years old when he started coming here. At first, his parents had to carry him to us, or bring him in a wheel chair. Now, Mitch can get up and maneuver. His parents actually had to put childproof locks on their cabinets. They never thought they'd have to do that," says Foil.

Then there was 25-year-old Dan who is a Down's syndrome student. "When he first started coming to us, he couldn't get on the horse by himself. Now Dan gets on by himself and is able to ride without a lead. We've been working on getting him to ride at different speeds. Right now, he can trot, or 'trout' as he refers to it."

Restoration Ranch functions as a non-profit organization. It depends solely upon volunteers and donations. "Each rider requires three volunteers during one session, a leader and two side-walkers," says Foil. She urges people to volunteer even if they don't know much about horses or horse therapy. "Anybody can be a volunteer. As long as you care about kids, you can be a side-walker and walk beside the horse to make sure the children stay securely on the saddle. It's very important that these kids feel accepted." She says she focuses on the kids' abilities, not their disabilities. "Everybody has something they can do."

Monetary contributions are also needed and are extremely beneficial to the program. "Last year, Shelby Electric Cooperative in Shelbyville made a $200 donation to our facility. Generosity like theirs is what keeps us going," says Foil. If you'd like more information on volunteering or donating to Restoration Ranch, or if you know someone who could benefit from this program, contact Ruthann Foil at (618) 487-5979.

1) Does your dog accept petting from a friendly stranger? 2) Can your dog walk on a loose leash (basic heeling pattern)? 3) Can your dog endure walking through a milling crowd (including walkers and/or wheelchairs)? 4) Will your dog "sit" on command? 5) Does your dog calm quickly after excitement? 6) How does your dog react to meeting another dog? 7) How would your dog react to a completely unresponsive person? 8) Would your dog accept petting from multiple people all at the same time? 9) How does your dog react to meeting and greeting a person in a wheelchair? 10) Would your dog accept a treat from a stranger (must take it gently)? 11) Is your dog easily distracted by movement (a person walking by quickly)? 12) How does your dog handle noise distractions? For more information on pet therapy, visit one of these Web sites: www.dog-play.com/therapyl.html - A collection of links to other pet therapy sites. www.gsdhaven.org/training.html - Central Illinois German Shepard Dog Rescue in Urbana Pet Therapy Classes. If you are interested, e-mail Elizabeth at rescue@gsdhaven.org. This class is designed for anyone wishing to be involved in pet therapy. Pets may include rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, or any other even-tempered, well-behaved, well-groomed, clean animals that can visit residents of nursing homes. This is an introductory view at pet therapy for interested parties. You may bring your pet to class, and available therapy friends (rescue dogs) will also be present. The class fee is $35 and will cover expenses and materials. www.rainbowaat.org/ - Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy, a not-for-profit volunteer group with programs for children with emotional, mental and/or physical disabilities in the Chicagoland area. http://www.therapet.com/FAQs.html- Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about Animal Assisted Therapy. http://www.pegasusspecialriders.org/ - Pegasus Special Riders is an organization that provides children and adults with special needs an activity that is both therapeutic and fun, in a safe, supportive, non-competitive environment. Each client's weekly lesson includes both riding and care of the horse, so a relationship can develop between the person and the animal. http://www.hippotherapychicago.com/- Maureen Corcoran, a licensed physical therapist in both Illinois and Wisconsin, coordinates her staff of physical therapists, equestrian specialists and experienced volunteers in Morton Grove, IL. Her staff has training in movement specialties, pediatrics, adult rehabilitation and sensory integration.

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