Carl Schindler looks on as Comet gets a big hug from a resident at John Hainkel Home.

We all know what qualities our pets have for being good pet therapists. Our pets are warm and fuzzy, they are nonjudgmental, attentive, very good listeners, and sometimes downright silly. All of these attributes help to cheer up the people they visit. But there has also been some interesting research going on regarding Animal Assisted Therapy.

In 2004, a group of physicians in Japan evaluated the effects of a therapy dog on autonomic nervous system in normal healthy adults. They evaluated this effect by measuring heart rate variability using power spectrum analysis. This investigation involved two sessions, one session with a dog and a control session without a dog.
Their conclusion: Animal Assisted Therapy with a dog had a positive affect by activating the effect of cardiac parasympathetic nerve activities in the heart.

In 2007, a group of physicians in California wanted to determine the affect Animal Assisted Therapy on patients hospitalized with heart failure. Their objective was to determine if a hospital visit with a therapy dog would improve hemodynamic measures, lower neurohormone levels and decrease state anxiety in patients with advanced heart failure. Three groups were tested, one group visited with a human volunteer and her therapy dog, another group visited with a human volunteer only and the control group had "usual care" with no visit. Cardiopulmonary pressures and neurohormone levels were monitored in all patients.
Their conclusion: Animal Assisted Therapy improves cardiopulmonary pressures, neurohormone levels and anxiety in patients hospitalized with heart failure.

Also in 2007, a group of physicians in Greece studied the impact of Animal Assisted Activities on oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy. Two groups of patients were compared. The experimental group visited with a therapy dog and the control group did not visit with a dog. Before and after chemo both groups completed a symptom questionnaire. In addition both groups were monitored for arterial blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation.
Their conclusion: Animal Assisted Activity during chemotherapy reduces depression of patients and increases their arterial oxygen saturation.

In 2002, physicians with the V.A in Missouri studied the effects of Animal Assisted Therapy on loneliness in elderly in long term care facilities. The residents chosen for this study had a strong life history of emotional intimacy with pets and wished that they currently had a pet. They also completed "Loneliness Scale" questionnaires prior to beginning the study and again 6 weeks later at the end of the study. A comparison was done between the group that received Animal Assisted Therapy visits and the group that did not receive visits.
Their conclusion: The group that received Animal Assisted Therapy visits had significantly reduced loneliness scores in comparison with the group that did not receive visits.

When we visit with our pets, we witness firsthand the positive impact our pets have on people's lives. But these types of research are very important for the growth and longevity of Animal Assisted Therapy. I hope you found these examples as interesting as I did.

Claire Sommers

Volunteers and pets swarm Soniat Playground for the annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic.

Celebrating 22 years of the
Visiting Pet Program!

Come on out and join the fun and help VPP celebrate 22 wonderful years. Soniat Playground in Harahan will again be the site for the VPP Volunteer Appreciation Day on Sunday, March 22, 2009 from 1pm-3pm. A map to Soniat Playground is linked below.

All VPP volunteers, certified and probationary, and their family and guests are invited. VPP dogs that have completed certification are invited to attend. Unfortunately, we cannot invite dogs that are not certified through our program. All dogs must remain on leash throughout the entire event and, just like on visits, only one dog per handler. As always, flexi-leashes are not permitted. Certified volunteers are asked to wear their green VPP shirts.

Bring the kids and your own chairs or a blanket to sit on and enjoy an afternoon of fun. VPP will provide sandwiches, snacks and soft drinks. We will have access to two covered shelters and a great play gym for the kids.

Please confirm your attendance (note how many family members will attend) by email to paws4visit@gmail.com. To be sure there is enough food for everyone, we need an accurate head count no later than March 15th.

We look forward to seeing everyone!

Map to Soniat Playground, Harahan

Kimberley Clayton with Kubby, the chocolate Lab Kimberley is a CPA and Comptroller for Lauricella Land Company. She belongs to a local AKC Agility Club. She enjoys dog park hikes. Kubby goes to work with Kimberley every day. He is active in obedience and agility, and enjoys doing tricks.

Leigh Crawford with Zeke, the Golden/Lab mix Leigh operates the Elysian Fields Inn. She enjoys gardening, cooking, and art. Zeke attends the Barkus Parade yearly. He likes going to music events, and loves getting a belly rub.

Midge Donald with Blue, the Weimaraner Midge is retired from Citibank New York. She is a volunteer with the Audubon Zoo. Midge enjoys attending NBA games. Blue likes going for neighborhood walks and trips to Petco.

Susan Falcon with Calli, the white Peke-A- Poo Susan is a self-employed CPA. She enjoys reading and running. Calli likes attending soccer events and sporting events. She enjoys meeting people.

Tamara Fink with Nikki, the Dachshund/Chihuahua mix Tamara is a realtor with Latter and Blum in Mandeville. She is an avid animal lover, with dogs, guinea pigs, birds, and fish. She is a volunteer crisis line counselor at a battered women's shelter. Nikki was adopted from a Florida animal shelter. She likes seeing the neighbors and greets visitors to the home.

Joel Lippincott with Candy, the Golden Retriever Joel works in the billing office for a dermatology group. She is a mother of 3. Candy shares his home with several cats. He likes going to dog parks.

Monique McKenna with Jazz and Meghan, the German Shepherds Monique is a non- practicing attorney who has raised three Seeing Eye Dogs. She also volunteers with STAIR and an ESL program with Associated Catholic Charities. Jazz and Meghan have attended obedience classes and have had extensive Seeing Eye training.

Cindy Nolan with Dexter, the yellow Lab Cindy is a dental hygienist. She is active with her church's youth group. Dexter has taken obedience classes. He likes going for daily walks along the levee and at dog parks.

Lyn O'Brien with Oscar, the Mixed Breed Lyn is a legal secretary for a Downtown law firm. She has volunteered for Ochsner, LePetite Theatre, Big Sisters, and other groups. Oscar was found as a young pup wandering the streets. He found a terrific home with Lyn. Oscar enjoys participating in the Krewe of Barkus Parade.

Maria Thornton and Craig Miller with Sable, the Pomeranian Maria works at Magnolia School, with adults with disabilities. She makes jewelry in her spare time, and enjoys reading. Craig is a process server for Support Enforcement Services. He also volunteers at Magnolia School. He enjoys cooking and running. Sable enjoys walks in the neighborhood and going to Petco and the park.

Julie-Ann Wegmann with Oscar, the Maltipoo Julie-Ann is a teacher of special needs children. She enjoys biking and walking. Oscar has taken an obedience class. He enjoys doing tricks. Oscar likes going for walks and meeting people.

CURRENT VOLUNTEERS ADD PETS

Leslie Davis with Bacchus, the black/tan Smooth Standard Dachshund. Bacchus is the son of Leslie's red Dachshund, Zebrina, who is a regular visitor at John Hainkel Home.

Tobi Provenzano with Cayenne, the Australian Shepherd mix. Tobi visited with her dog Maddie, who passed away two years ago. Tobi is happy to have another dog to put through the program.

Fay Schultz with Betty Boop, the Chihuahua mix. Fay visits at Ochsner with her Shih-Tzu, Mozart and at Waldon Health Care with JJ, the Toy Poodle. Betty Boop is the newest member of Fay's family.

Stacey Warnke and Terri Joia with Angelle, the Corgi mix. Stacey and Terri visit Ville Ste Marie with their cat Sauvi. Angelle will join her cat "sister" on visits.

As an opportunity to share our work and our wonderful animals with the community, the Visiting Pet Program is going to create a 2010 calendar with photos of our very special pets.

In an effort to find the best photos for the calendar, we will offer a photo contest. Rules of the contest are listed below. Get your camera out and start shooting. It's a wonderful opportunity for Fido's 15 minutes (or 12 months) of fame!

Serving as independent judge for the photos will be professional pet photographer, Scott Stuntz. He will select the 12 monthly photos as well as the cover shot.

Entrance Rules:
All photo entries received will become property of the Visiting Pet Program and can be used for promotional purposes. Neither the pet nor the owner of the pet will receive monetary compensation for appearance in the calendar. By submitting your photo and payment, you agree to the above.

If your pet's photo is included in the calendar you will receive a free calendar and 12 months of bragging rights! Good luck!

• Photos are due on or before March 1, 2009. Photos should be submitted in digital format to paws4visits@gmail.com. Only emailed photos will be accepted.
• Photos must be in a high resolution digital format. Calendar format will be 8in x 10in, landscape. Your photo should be able to be blown up to that size without distortion or pixilation.
• Photos done by professional photographers will not be accepted.
• Currently active Visiting Pets only. No retirees, no probationary pets.
• Photos must be of pet(s) only. No people or non-VPP pets may be included
• One photo submission per pet
• Entrance fee is $25.00 per photo. Payment will be accepted through PayPal or via check mailed to 5831 S Johnson St., NOLA, 70125. Photos and your payment MUST be received no later than March 1st. Do Not Mail Photo
• Winners will be announced at the Visiting Pet Program Volunteer Appreciation Picnic on Sunday, March 22, 2009.