For over 30 years, the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog program has been bringing comfort to the sick, lonely and those in need of a friendly visit.
On Tuesday, January 17th from 2 to 3 pm, these canine practitioners will be at the Cobourg Public Library.
According to Volunteer Coordinator Marsha Seens meeting with the dogs can be a really stress reliever.
The St. John Ambulance’s Therapy Dog Program takes a volunteer and their dog into hospitals, seniors’ residences or nursing homes on a weekly basis. Through petting, affection, and regular visitation, many people benefit both physically and emotionally from the unconditional love of a dog, while also providing the volunteer with a unique and rewarding volunteer experience.
Seens told us what they look for in an animal.
The program boasts more than 3,500 volunteer dog teams providing over 275,000 hours of their time visiting hospitals, retirement residences, care facilities, schools and universities across Canada.
Marsha said the dogs always take centre stage.
The Therapy Dog program provides opportunities for individuals to:
Talk with the volunteer and the dog
Feel, touch, pet and cuddle the dog
Receive unconditional love from the dog
Carry-out or practice an activity in the presence of the dog
Seens explained what a volunteer dog could expect coming into the program.
So come out on Tuesday and experience the therapeutic benefits of the unconditional companionship of a four-legged friend.
Written by Joseph Goden
