Household pets become much-loved therapists

The Good News - Broward Edition May 2006 vol.8, no.2

By Nicole Manning

For hundreds of South Florida residents, weekly visits with a dog are more than a highlight in their day; in some cases they are life-changing events.
Share-a-Pet, a non-profit organization located in Broward County, is bringing joy and hope to the lives of hundreds who are unable to pursue it for themselves. Founder Sachin Mayi is dedicated to sharing pets with the elderly, the physically impaired and others through pet assisted therapy, better known as PAT.
The organization began as a volunteer program in December 2003. Volunteers were challenged to give of their time by bringing their kids and pets with them when they went on nursing home and hospital visits. The pets became a hit, proving to be great ice-breakers between the volunteers and patients. Today, hundreds of volunteers in South Florida are sharing their beloved pets with those in need through this program.
"The vision for our organization is quite grand," says Mayi. "We have set out to improve the lives of those who are suffering and restricted by offering pet assisted therapy, which has been scientifically documented to have far reaching benefits and effects on every level - mental, physical and emotional."
Ninety-seven year old Marjorie Jennings of Pompano Rehab agrees. "I get wagging tails and lapping mouths and experience the love and hugs that I miss so terribly from earlier days," she says of pet therapy.
Diana Edenburg, social director at Share-a-Pet, says she has seen PAT change lives in many ways, both from simple joy to dramatic life changes. "One woman stands out in particular," Edenburg shares. "She hadn't been out of bed for almost three years... but on Christmas day, Beatrice decided to get out of bed at our request. When asked by the nurse why she decided to get up, she replied, 'Because of the dog.'"
Since then, Beatrice has been getting out of bed three times a week to receive therapy, and now is talking about getting well enough to go home. Another woman was unable to lift her hand to feed herself most days, yet is enthused to groom a little fluffy dog that comes to visit through Share-a-Pet.
Share-a-Pet is also enhancing the lives of sick children in Broward County. In fact, the very first pet to spread the Share-a-Pet love was in Broward Children's Center. Tenzin, a yellow lab, was able to get children, who weren't responding to any other therapies to interact with him. Because of that success, the organization contacted other facilities to see if they, too, could benefit from PAT. They discovered there was a tremendous need. In fact, some centers had been on waiting lists for up to two years.

Moving forward
Share-a-Pet now has up to 150 members and pets serving 50 facilities, which include hospitals, nursing homes and children's centers throughout South Florida and a few in New Hampshire. The organization envisions continued growth, desiring to touch more and more lives by bringing a sense of home back into nursing care facilities and institutions.
Share-a-Pet is also making a difference in the lives of healthy children. At Coral Sunset Elementary School in Boca Raton, loving animals are giving kids the confidence they need to be successful readers. Students have fun and gain new skills by reading aloud to the pets who visit them.
Christine Redner, one of the faithful volunteers of Share-a-Pet, loves making a difference. "As a Christian, volunteering means that I can bring the joy and love of Christ to those who lack it - and I receive joy by seeing the smiles on the faces of those who once had a pet and no longer have the privilege or ability to own one."
May says, "Our volunteers become the local heroes of their facilities, and the residents can't wait until they return each time."
In addition, there are a lot of lonely people in South Florida, especially among the elderly population. "This is a time in their lives when they have a tremendous desire to love and be loved, and there is very little opportunity to share," says Edenburg. "The lucky ones have some family who come from time to time, but we find that overall they are very lonely and depressed. Pets offer unconditional love, and the connection is instant," she says.
Pet owners who are interested in volunteering must have owned their pets for at least a year. In addition, the pet must be at least one year of age, spayed/neutered and current on vaccinations. The pet should have a non-aggressive personality, be interested in people, be well-behaved and be able to obey basic commands.

For more information on how to get involved with Share-a-Pet, visit www.shareapet.org.