I have written before about the blessing of having three dogs that keep me sane, entertained, and who provide me with an avenue for which I can express my nurturing side. While my fur babies are therapy for me and my husband, they could in no wise be classified or registered as therapy dogs. These particular breeds that are trained for such purposes are really quite incredible.
Most think of the most commonly-seen type of service dog: the seeing eye dog. However, there are also psychiatric service dogs, who are trained to help veterans with post-traumatic stress syndrome or people with a particular form of mental illness. In fact, the first military service dog was a four-pound Yorkshire Terrier named Smoky. She was found in New Guinea during World War II, and she accompanied the soldiers on the battlefield, providing comfort and distraction in the harsh conditions of the Pacific region.
There are the dogs trained to offer medical assistance to humans who suffer from illnesses like epilepsy, heart issues, or diabetes, or humans who suffer from hearing impairment or mobility issues, where these service animals assist them in their day-to-day navigation.
But because of the recent bad news of the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, and the recent good news of the recovery of thousands of unaccompanied minors that the prior administration lost, many who ended up sexually trafficked or used by drug cartels, stories of therapy dogs who assist children experiencing trauma from violence and abuse have been gaining prominence.
The miracle of therapy dogs is the subject of this week's Feel-Good Friday.
We really don't deserve dogs, and they are just the creatures to help young ones who have gone through so much damage find peace, the courage to speak about their horrible experiences, and find a path toward healing.
Dogs have been used for healing and therapeutic purposes as early as 1796, but child psychologist Dr. Boris Levinson was the first to introduce dogs as an aid to assist children going through therapy and was the first to document his findings. Now dogs are being bred, trained, and made available for such purposes. Facilities like the Center for Child Protection have therapy dogs onsite and on loan to be present during forensic interviews, help with therapy sessions and medical examinations, and to accompanying children to court hearings.
In North Carolina, one children's advocacy center employs a mini-doodle named Sunny, who ministers to the troubled children as well as the staff.
Blasts from the Past: Feel-Good Friday: The K-9 Victory Project and St. Charles County Honor K-9 'Tank' on His Retirement
At Jo Ann’s Place Southmountain Children's Advocacy Center, a small dog named Sunny is bringing smiles and healing to children during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Sunny, the sweet, goofy, gentle-natured mini goldendoodle, joined the center in early 2024 and quickly became an invaluable part of the team, offering comfort to children who are victims of abuse, neglect and trauma.
As the first video stated, the United States has over 50,000 therapy dogs, and training them for service can span from six months to two years. While the circumstances and situations that require them are often tragic, the fact that these animals exist -- and can offer so much in the way of emotional and physical support and comfort -- to victims and survivors of abuse, neglect, and sex trafficking is a powerful thing.
Read More: Latest Associated Press Silly Shamefest: Your Dog Is Causing Climate Change
Many of these organizations supply their dogs and services for free or reduced fees. So, whether it is for food, training, supplies, vet bills or travel expenses, therapy dog organizations can always use donations. This article lists the Top 5 organizations that are doing good work in this space. If you know of a therapy dog organization in your neck of the woods, I encourage you to contribute to their local work.
Editor's Note: At RedState, it's not all about politics and policy. We like to bring attention to what's good in the world, with columns like "Feel-Good Friday," "Start Your Weekend Right," and "Hoge's Heroes."
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