A Boy, Brain Surgery, and a Four-Legged Therapist 

The Magic of Dogs - Pet Therapy in Action by Nancy McIntire 

Therapy Dog YYZ

Debbie Sparks observed the benefits of animal-assisted therapy long before becoming a pet therapy volunteer herself.   

Working as a nurse, for years Debbie saw hospital patients and staff light up when therapy dogs visited the facility.  At the time, her own dogs weren't candidates for therapy work, but her interest in animal-assisted therapy was piqued, and a seed was planted.

Fast forward a number of years ... eventually and inevitably, Debbie's beloved dogs passed on.  A short two weeks later, Debbie and her husband, Eric, visited a local shelter "to pet dogs and pass out some hugs only" she recalls.   

Little did she know, on that visit she would meet her future partner in therapy work, a handsome white male Great Pyrenees that had been picked up as a stray in Bastrop.

Debbie wasn't sure she was ready for a new dog so soon, but she and Eric decided to complete an application for the Great Pyrenees, knowing other adopters had already submitted an application as well.  Although they weren't first in line, fate stepped in, and the dog became available.  After seeing the dog's sweet personality and calm demeanor, Debbie's reluctance melted away.  She realized this dog might be the perfect dog to share with others.  It was settled - YYZ, or "Z" for short, joined the family in 2008.  Shortly thereafter, Debbie began researching training requirements for therapy dogs.  She regularly worked with Z on her own, and later enrolled in a pet therapy training class.  In September 2009, Debbie and Z passed the Delta evaluation and began volunteering as a pet therapy team in the Austin area.

Debbie and her partner, YYZ

It was clear Debbie had found her perfect partner and Z had found his calling one day when they visited a young boy, recovering from brain surgery, in the ICU.  The hospital therapist and the boy's family had been encouraging him for a week to make an effort to get out of the hospital bed and try some physical movement.  The boy had refused to try anything.   

That all changed the day Debbie and Z visited.  Seeing Z, the boy smiled ear-to-ear and asked them to come in.  The therapist and the boy's father, seizing the opportunity, told the boy that, if he wanted to see the dog, he needed to try to get out of bed and walk to the dog.   

As Debbie and Z stood in the doorway, the boy threw back the covers.  With determination, he made it out of bed and walked, with slow and shaky steps, over to the dog, smiling every single step of the way.  His father then demonstrated how to scratch Z under his ears.  The boy was having difficulty, as a result of the surgery, moving one hand, but was able to scratch Z with his functional hand.  His father then upped the ante, telling his son he could make Z really happy if he used both hands.  With effort, the boy managed to use both hands and scratch Z around the ears.  The happy look on Z's face encouraged the boy to continue.   

Z was actually a vehicle for physical therapy that day - to the boy, though, it was just a chance to play with a dog.  Debbie remembers how the father thanked them and said "The magic of dogs - Z got him to do what we've been trying to get him to do all week!"

Today, Z continues to deliver his special brand of magic at libraries, assisted-living communities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and schools.  Debbie has, indeed, found the perfect partner.

For dates, details, and online registration, visit the Dog Training section of our website. 

Trainer News - Elizabeth Deitz Smith 

Congratulations to Elizabeth Deitz Smith!

Elizabeth already holds a CPDT-KA certification (Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed) from the  Association of Pet Dog Trainers. 

She recently gained another credential - Elizabeth is now a CBCC-KA (Certified Behavior Consultant Canine - Knowledge Assessed), a certification awarded by the  Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.  This new certification was launched earlier in 2011.  In order to achieve this certification, applicants must have logged and documented 500+ hours in canine behavior consulting on fear, phobias, compulsive behaviors, anxiety, and aggression within the last five years (or possess a Master's Degree or Doctorate in a directly related field with 300+ hours of consulting).  Additionally, references from veterinarians, colleagues, and clients must be submitted. 

As of this writing, Elizabeth is the only trainer in the state of Texas to hold this certification. 

Elizabeth teaches the Barking & Growling class, as well as classes in Dog Manners, and Tricks.  We are proud to have Elizabeth on our team!  

Learn more about Elizabeth and follow her blog on  DogBreedStore.com.  To schedule a private consultation, please contact her at Elizabeth@AustinDogAlliance.org.  

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