Page 97 - Guerin Media Ltd | Active Retirement Ireland Members Annual 2016
P. 97
AMINALS & OLDER PEOPLE HEALTH AND WELLNESS
A pilot study conducted by the The Centre for Cherryfield Dog Walkers.
Human-Animal Interaction (CHAI), Virginia HaanvdinfgriWefonoudorsflbDeogatgyhe-dtGw!”roahaanmd
Commonwealth University (VCU), USA suggests that
healthcare professionals, who spend as little as five
minutes with a therapy dog, experience the same levels
of stress reduction as healthcare professionals who
spend twenty minutes resting quietly.
A humorous side to the dog walking community is that
humans are often known by their four legged
companions names and met with delighted smiles, a rub
and even a treat if they’re lucky! In Graham’s company I
meet a few of the other walkers stopping for a chat and
even a treat or two for some of the dogs. So there is
Helen “Poppy” and the limber septegenarian Denis with
“Feather” who I learned apart from a daily walk enjoys
regular dances. I also meet the impressive “Bear” with
his owner braving the worst of the showers with a smile.
For those of us whose children have grown up and fled
the nest, keeping a dog can ensure that our parenting
role gets an extended run. Of course, as with having
children, you have to be prepared for a certain amount
of inconvenience too, Graham reminds me. “Dogs may
role in unmentionable things and you’ll have to give them
a bath when you get home. Occasionally an animal can get
ill, just like us. But, if you are crazy about dogs you’ll accept
all that. They get you out and active, whether you like it or
not!”.
In conversation with Graham Horgan a Cherryfield Dog
Walker and co-founder of Irish Therapy Dogs.
Irish Therapy Dogs’ Mission is to provide physical,
therapeutic and educational benefit to people, young
and old, fit and frail, alert and impaired, in Hospitals,
Nursing Homes, Day Care Centres, Schools and other
places where people may be restricted from having pets
and where the presence of dogs and their owners, will
add comfort and support.
To get involved or support the work or Irish Therapy Dogs,
visit www.IrishTherapyDogs.ie to find out more.
LUCY & fBoRrOwNoTrkE
Dressed
www.activeirl.ie Active Retirement Ireland 97
A pilot study conducted by the The Centre for Cherryfield Dog Walkers.
Human-Animal Interaction (CHAI), Virginia HaanvdinfgriWefonoudorsflbDeogatgyhe-dtGw!”roahaanmd
Commonwealth University (VCU), USA suggests that
healthcare professionals, who spend as little as five
minutes with a therapy dog, experience the same levels
of stress reduction as healthcare professionals who
spend twenty minutes resting quietly.
A humorous side to the dog walking community is that
humans are often known by their four legged
companions names and met with delighted smiles, a rub
and even a treat if they’re lucky! In Graham’s company I
meet a few of the other walkers stopping for a chat and
even a treat or two for some of the dogs. So there is
Helen “Poppy” and the limber septegenarian Denis with
“Feather” who I learned apart from a daily walk enjoys
regular dances. I also meet the impressive “Bear” with
his owner braving the worst of the showers with a smile.
For those of us whose children have grown up and fled
the nest, keeping a dog can ensure that our parenting
role gets an extended run. Of course, as with having
children, you have to be prepared for a certain amount
of inconvenience too, Graham reminds me. “Dogs may
role in unmentionable things and you’ll have to give them
a bath when you get home. Occasionally an animal can get
ill, just like us. But, if you are crazy about dogs you’ll accept
all that. They get you out and active, whether you like it or
not!”.
In conversation with Graham Horgan a Cherryfield Dog
Walker and co-founder of Irish Therapy Dogs.
Irish Therapy Dogs’ Mission is to provide physical,
therapeutic and educational benefit to people, young
and old, fit and frail, alert and impaired, in Hospitals,
Nursing Homes, Day Care Centres, Schools and other
places where people may be restricted from having pets
and where the presence of dogs and their owners, will
add comfort and support.
To get involved or support the work or Irish Therapy Dogs,
visit www.IrishTherapyDogs.ie to find out more.
LUCY & fBoRrOwNoTrkE
Dressed
www.activeirl.ie Active Retirement Ireland 97
