Tag: therapy dogs

Pet Therapy for Seniors

Pet Therapy at Mahoning Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

 

Pet Therapy at Nursing Homes

  Snickers is a 6-year-old Irish doodle.  He has been coming to the facility since he was 8 weeks old to visit his Grammy and met many new friends.   His mommy’s name is Connie Wentz. 

Therapy Dog Bingo Snickers Christmas Outfit

  Snicker makes various appearances through out the year including many Holidays where he loves to dress in one of his many outfits. He always participates in our Annual Halloween Celebration. Snicker is loved by many residents and staff here at MVNRC.

Pet Therapy Snickers the dog visits

  Snickers went through training to receive his K-9 Good Citizenship Certificate as well as being tested through the Alliance of therapy dogs and passed with flying colors. Most of the time, when Snickers is here you don’t even hear a beep out of him.  Unless of course, his friend Vicki B from activities is near.  They sometimes get into trouble together.

Snickers the therapy dog says hello

  Some of Snickers favorites are playing ball, visiting his friends here, going for walks, receiving a lot of attention, and eating his favorite home-made cookies. 

Nursing Homes Therapy Dogs

Using Therapy Dogs at Mahoning Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

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If you’ve ever owned a pet like a dog or a cat, then you know the joy that they can bring you as a pet owner.  However, as our friends and family members age they might not be able to care for a pet as they once did.  But that does not stop a pet lover from smiling when they see a puppy or love patting a pooch on their head.  The use of pets in a care facility like a nursing home can add smiles, joy, to the days of the residents.  That’s where special dogs like Snickers who is a Therapy Dog can be helpful to make the residents day a little brighter.

Therapy Dogs are used to visit schools daycares, group homes and rehabilitation homes like Mahoning Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.  These dogs have stable friendly temperaments and easy-going personalities.  Patients are encouraged to talk, pet and interact with dogs which helps reduce stress and encourage healing.

Snickers is one of our therapy dogs that started coming to visit when he was a “Puppy”.  He came to visit last week while we had the residents on the porch enjoying popsicles.  And of course, he had to have some too.  Snickers also can do a lot of tricks with the help of his Mommy.  Visit again soon Snickers.

 

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