Unconditional devotion
By Patrick Kelley
Originally published 01:31 p.m., January 22, 2008
Updated 01:31 p.m., January 22, 2008
Saturday's article about Edie the therapy dog was the kind of feel-good news that makes readers stop and sigh, “Aaah.” The photos of the sweet-faced yellow Labrador didn’t hurt, either.
Any school would be improved by the presence of a friendly, non-judgmental dog who comes into class to visit and is available for pets and gentle hugs. A dog who sits and listens attentively is great therapy for a sad or confused child.
It works for adults, too. Dogs — and cats, for that matter — are good, comforting companions in a demanding world. Their affection is boundless and their devotion is complete to anyone who treats them well.
Caring for companion animals is a sort of therapy, too. It is a kind of parenting that people can do all their lives.
Need a little unconditional love and support? Trained therapy dogs can be expensive. Edie, from a non-profit organization, cost $500. For-profit training agencies may charge $10,000 or even more.
But if you don’t need a companion to guide you across busy streets or alert you when the phone rings — a dog trained to help people in specific ways — then the price goes way down.
Any day of the week, the Emporia Animal Shelter and the Buck Fund are crowded with therapy animals — dogs and cats already fully qualified to love and be loved and who need only human companions to make their lives complete.
They need us.
And in our hearts, we need them.
The Emporia Animal Shelter at 1216 Hatcher St. is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. the phone number is 34 0-6345. To reach the Buck Fund, call 343-3377.
wanderer (anonymous) says...
Very true. And it works the other way, too. My family and I have known a number of dogs who need "therapy people" -- good owners who can help them overcome a past of abuse. Helping them can be very healing for both sides.
January 28, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )