Meet Molly!!

Molly is a friendly and very gentle five year old Golden Retriever. She has been extensively trained from an early age starting with Puppy Kindergarten at four months old. She then trained for and earned her Canine Good Citizen’s Certificate. We enjoyed training so much that we continued on to competition obedience training and entered several obedience trials, winning 1st place ribbons and earning her AKC Companion Dog Title (CD). Molly is also a Therapy Dog registered with Dog B.O.N.E.S. Therapy Dogs of Massachusetts. Molly has visited nursing homes,  rehabilitation centers  as well as participated in the library’s therapy dog reading program. You can find Molly working at Southeast Physical Therapy providing stress relief, comfort and/or joy to patients. Not a fan of dogs? No worries…Molly is more than happy to just chill out in the office. You won’t even know she’s there!

Read below for more information on Therapy Dogs:

THERAPY DOGS

What is a Therapy Dog?
A therapy dog is a friend to everyone! Therapy dogs are extremely patient and loving – and provide great companionship. They visit hospitals, rehabilitation and hospice facilities, schools, senior centers, nursing communities, homeless shelters, homes for youth at-risk and more. These specially trained dogs have even made their way into more unusual settings, such as funeral homes. No matter what the setting, dogs provide unconditional love, affection, comfort, and support. They provide distraction and a listening ear, free of judgment or opinion. Anyone can benefit from the unique animal-to-human bond.

What Does a Therapy Dog Do?
Sometimes a therapy dog just sits or lies quietly while being petted – listening to story after story about a nursing home resident’s former dog. They have been known to help improve focus and stimulate memory function in Autistic, Stroke or Alzheimer patients. In a hospital setting, a therapy dog might visit patients in pediatrics, oncology, or even hospice centers. Sometimes a hospital will invite a therapy dog to visit the emergency room because of their calming effect on patients, doctors, nurses and staff members working in the high-stress environment.

Sometimes a therapy dog will visit an elementary school to help teach children about the humane care of animals, or join in during story time to help relax the group. Therapy dogs can also help a child to learn. A child who has difficulty reading is the perfect candidate to curl up alongside a therapy dog to enjoy a good book. Studies show children find the non-judgmental ears of a therapy dog the perfect choice to hone and improve their reading skills.

Therapy Dogs may also be found working alongside Physical, Occupational or Speech Therapists, Counselors, Social Workers or medical office personnel. They motivate and assist clients or patients to achieve cognitive, physical and emotional goals. They help to encourage, motivate and decrease anxiety.

How Else Can a Therapy Dog Help?
Visiting with animals can help you feel less lonely and less depressed. People are more active and responsive both during – and after – a visit with animals. Medical studies and clinical research show that a therapy dog can not only have medical benefits – such as stress relief, lower blood pressure, ease depression – but provide a sense of comfort, confidence, and companionship.