Therapy dogs read people

By Marty Metzger
North Forty News

Magic comes to mind when Renee Turner describes the effect therapy dogs have on her clients.

The licensed clinical social worker, child and family therapist and licensed behavioral health specialist has been including animal-assisted therapy in her work since 1997. She joined the Mountain Crest Psychotherapy Clinic in February 2007 and previously worked at Larimer Center for Mental Health. Turner also has her own private practice, Healing Pathways Psychotherapy. Even with this vast experience and her impressive professional credentials, she assigns the greater tribute to the canine element in successful treatment plans.

With two grown children of her own, Turner is well aware of the positive effects animals have on kids. Both of hers are confirmed dog lovers and owners.

Dogs have a calming effect, she said. Turner works with adults, too, but primarily with children ages 5 to 20. Abused children gradually build a relationship with the therapy dog and, in the process, gain self-esteem and courage to positively interact with humans as well.

Youngsters with poor personal hygiene groom the dog, then make the connection to their own health and appearance. Children with ADHD learn to focus by putting the dog through sequential commands to achieve a particular desired result. Missing a step or giving signals out of order confuses the dog. Poor readers improve by reading aloud to the nonjudgmental dog.

When Turner first began using mental health therapy dogs she borrowed one. Then she acquired a pup named Caleb. The Golden Retriever took to therapy work like a duck takes to water.

"Caleb would comfort people even before their tears came," said Turner. "These animals can really read people."

Sadly, Caleb died in September at age 11. Turner said she's still grieving for him but is currently training two dogs to follow in his kindly, perceptive paw steps. Beau (Beauregard) is a 2-year-old male Great Pyrenees; Bella (Isabella) is a 1-year-old female Golden Retriever.

Turner, a native of Ohio and 36-year Fort Collins resident, now lives in the mountains of Glacier View Meadows. She hesitates to leave a solo dog pining away all day while she takes its companion to work in town, so she plans to soon add a third dog to the family. This male Golden puppy will also be trained for therapy.

When Beau, Bella and "new pup" are ready, they will test for certification through the nationwide Delta Society. All members of the organization have therapy animals: dogs, donkeys, horses, bunnies or even birds. The animal's owner must first complete an eight-hour class, without the pet. Then the animal is given a one-half-hour temperament test in various situations. It might be bumped by a person using a walker, subjected to angry shouting, or left with a stranger for three to four minutes. Examiners check for startle response or any signs of aggression. The latter would negate certification.

Many people have seen working service dogs out in public and know not to pet or even speak to the animals without first asking permission. (Of course, an owner's consent should be requested before interaction with any unfamiliar pet dog.) A service dog's job is to focus entirely on its person and his or her special needs.

Therapy dogs differ because it is their job to respond to strangers' attention and touch. What to a service dog might be an annoying interruption, to a therapy dog is a welcome overture.

"These dogs love unconditionally and can reach a kiddo you can't get through to," affirmed Turner.

Therapy sessions average 50 minutes and are a blend of client/therapist discussion and dog involvement. Anxiety, depression and a range of other emotional and mental issues melt away under the warmth of a loving, accepting dog. In fact, Turner recommends that her clients all get pets, even if housing situations permit only a gerbil or parakeet.

She follows her own advice. In addition to Beau and Bella, Turner owns a buckskin Quarter Horse and a miniature donkey, Dillon. The little burro doesn't yet know, but he's also in line to become a certified therapy animal. Plus, Turner is considering training Dillon to harness.

Anyone desiring additional information about animal-assisted therapy may call Turner at 204-1718.