by Kathy Petefish, MS, MSW, CPDT
Some of the concerns that Patti and I hear often are, "Am I doing the visit right? I'm running out of activites to do. It doesn't feel like I'm making a difference." Even though I've been a therapist for 13 years and have facilitated many groups, I too asked these questions when I first started visiting teen girls at a group home as a volunteer for Gabriel's Angels.
It's hard to see the impact you are making on a visit to visit basis. It took me a long time to figure out what Pam said so well in her book Gabriel's Angels: The Story of the Dog Who Inspired a Revolution, "The biggest mistake a therapy team can make is to assume that the children are bored with an activity. Children delight in learning what to do and then doing it well. In fact, it's the repetiton that builds the core behaviors in the children" (p.83).
It is so important to remember that when you visit you are providing the children a chance to forget, just for a time being, their challenges in life. They can focus on the dog and in interacting with the dog and with you, they can begin to learn new skills. We don't have to seek to entertain the kids, it is simply our presence that is impactful. Remember, we may see our dog every day, but a whole week or two has gone by since they saw your dog last!
I will be the first to tell you that sometimes you have great moments, but most other times there are no rainbows or fireworks to tell you that a difference was made. But I can also tell you that that I have met kids I worked with years later who remember me and my dog and said our visits made a difference. As a therapist, I know the clinical benefits of your visits. And as Program Director at Gabriel's Angels, I get to hear the raves of the staff and directors at the facilities at which you visit.
You may never hear directly how much impact you are making, but I assure you, you ARE making an impact. If it feels there is more you can be doing or if you feel unsure about how to proceed, don't hesitate to contact Patti or Kathy and we'll try to help walk you through your situation.
But never, ever forget that you ARE making a difference in the lives of these children!
