I don't have any pets and can't have any. However, I love cats and find them so calming. I was recently thinking about how often pets are used in therapy as a healing tool. So, I looked into volunteering at the local animal shelter. I am now trained as a cat companion volunteer. So, I can go the shelter whenever I want and interact with and love on the kitties. One of my little alters who is really struggling lately just loves cats and they give her much needed reprieve from the bad stuff (she also finds it funny that you have to be 12 to work with the kitties, but since she is inside a big body she can do it and nobody knows!)

One interesting thing that I've noticed is how I can learn so much about attachment injuries and healing from abuse by interacting with these animals that have also been abused and neglected. The behavior that they display so closely mirrors the behavior that I and my alters display in interacting with the world and with my T. It has been a really interesting process to experience and watch.

I just thought I'd share in case anyone else who maybe can't have pets, but feels the interaction could be helpful to their therapy.

quote:

can i say to anyone who may be interested ,riding for the disabled groups cry out for helpers all the time to lead and help........you don't necessarily have to have experience .

I used to do that too! Actually, I started doing that when I was 14.

The animal shelter uses volunteers for dogs as well, but I only trained for cats. I'm a bit scared of dogs at times.

Hi STRM, that is wonderful that you get to enjoy and interact with the kittens. I'm sure it's very calming. And I understand how some dogs can be intimidating until you get to know them.

The very first individual session I had with my T he was late...and I was already waiting on the steps outside to his office... door was locked. Anyway, I saw him pull in to the parking lot and then out of his car bounded this simply gorgeous golden retriever. He came running at me full speed and I froze for a second. My T was hurrying over and said... he's very friendly. And he was. Extremely loving and friendly. He is a therapy dog that my T rescued and he is at almost every session I've ever had over the years. I bring him treats and when my car pulls up he starts throwing himself against the office door to get out to see me. My T has to open the door for him, even if another client is in there because the dog just cries to come out LOL. We are very bonded.

This past week when I was sitting there terrified telling my T about some past trauma I so wished it would be possible to hold his hand for comfort but I was afraid to ask figuring it was some boundary thing and so I didn't. But the dog came over to me, layed down at my feet and gave me his paw. And he stayed like that for about 40 minutes... with me holding onto his paw while he patiently stayed there. It was extremely comforting and eased the pain a little. I swear that he has a little man inside of him because he is so darn smart! No... actually he is SMARTER and more intuitive than a man! (No offense to the guys on the board ). I just love him to pieces and it would be just as devasting to leave him as to leave my T.

So I do know what wonderful benefits come with interacting with animals. I hope one day to rescue a golden too, although I don't believe that there is another dog out there as wonderful as the one that holds my hand during therapy.

TN

ooooh, I used to have a Golden Retriever...named Ben...he was a scaredy-cat! So cute. they are so beautiful! I want one again, but my boy is so allergic to dogs that his whole face swells up and eyes swell shut and can't breathe at all if he is near any animals. Maeks life hard sometimes.

BB

Oh that has sent me all goose bumpy TN, I am so glad you have him there with you during those difficult times. I feel really comforted for you! I am so glad you have that extra support.

We have a pat dog where I work..also a retriever, but he's a really old boy now. The patients love him

starfish

That’s the best story TN!! It made me a little teary eyed .I agree that dogs can be more intuitive than men! Hehe! I have a dog that I rescued and I honestly can’t imagine life without her. She’s a golden/Australian shepherd/chow mix. She is so sensitive to my feelings I swear sometimes she can just feel when I’m having a hard time even if she’s in another room. And when I cry she gets these concerned looks on her face and sort of whimpers, and then will just sit with me for as long as I need.

That is a great story TN!!

I like some dogs and I had a neighbor that had a golden retriever that I really loved. I'm just nervous around the shelter dogs because they can be skittish.

STRM - that's a great idea! It's great you help those poor kittens out and that they are comforting to you. Those kitten must just love you with your sweet and tender heart...

There is something amazing about how much traumatized scared animals can be so simillar to how humans deal with trauma. They just can't "hide" it and it makes it... almost validating for me.

I've only been around rescued animals a little. I have the opportunity to work with some rescue foals, but I can't do it too much yet. Except for my cat at home. She's a recuse cat who was pretty shakey when I got her, then a year later she survived a traumatic thing with me, and she's rebounding well, but has tough times sometimes getting easily spooked by any male person that comes over or sometimes sounds. Comforting her when she gets spooked somehow validates and comforts my own heart too... When I went to treatment out of state, they had a session that was optional that was with a therapy dog. Sometimes it was just the T and I and we would take the dog for a short walk or just rub his belly. just that alone - seeing the dog roll over and just relish having his tummy scratched made me smile.

there is something very healing about animals.

Dogs scare me a bit too right now - I don't really understand it for me...

dragonfly -

quote:

can i say to anyone who may be interested ,riding for the disabled groups cry out for helpers all the time to lead and help........you don't necessarily have to have experience.

this is very true! a friend of mine now volunteers with the physically disabled kids at the farm where I do equine therapy at. He says it's his way of getting his "fix" of being around horses

TN -
ok, totally cried (in a good way) reading about your T's dog. just beautiful. I'm so glad he's there how wonderfully sweet!


blackbird - aw, that's too bad your boy is so allergic. so sorry to hear...