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Showing posts with label Animal-Assisted Therapy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Animal-Assisted Therapy. Show all posts
Monday, October 03, 2016
Monday, March 28, 2016
Animal-Assisted Therapy Explored in Malaysia
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Thursday, October 01, 2015
An Angel Called Maxi
In the company of an angel on four legs
This week, two international day events are taking place a few days from each other. Today is the 25th anniversary of the United Nations International Day of Older Persons.
On Sunday, pet lovers will be getting their furry and feathered friends together to celebrate World Animal Day on Oct 4.
My column today touches on both topics.
S. Gopalasingam, 82, has been a dog owner for over 30 years. His first canine was a German Shepherd named Jackie.
Gopal had always wanted to get a dog but his wife, A. Anjiee, was not comfortable with the thought of having one in the house. However, she changed her mind when their house in Shah Alam was burgled.
So in came Jackie, at eight weeks old. At first, the pup’s bedroom was in the garden. However, he was so adorable that by the third day, he was “promoted” and allowed to sleep in the couple’s bedroom.
Gopal and Anjiee weren’t the only ones who were blessed to have a four-footed angel around. Their neighbours were equally enthusiastic about the pup.
Jackie not only kept the home of his loving new family safe from prowlers, the fierce fellow also barked at any suspicious characters in the neighbourhood.
Jackie was the perfect companion for the couple. He shared in every activity in the family. He even had his own special mattress in the bedroom.
Jackie became even closer to Anjiee when she developed a heart problem and needed a bypass surgery.
Anjiee and Gopal were devastated when Jackie suddenly died of a heart attack after 10 years. Initially, the couple decided not to get a replacement. However, when Gopal realised how heartbroken his wife was – and it was beginning to affect her health – he decided to get another dog for her.
In galloped another German Shepherd named Maxi, who was barely five months old. The canine wasted no time in assuming his new role. The smile on Anjiee’s face confirmed that Maxi couldn’t have been a better choice.
Through his playful antics, Maxi kept Anjiee cheerful and motivated about life and the challenges before her.
With Maxi around, Gopal could confidently go to work, knowing that Maxi would be the best company for his wife.
The German Shepherd helped Anjiee to forget her worries as she took the dog for walks and fed him.
When Anjiee suffered a stroke in the early hours of the morning, it was Maxi who woke Gopal up and led him to his wife who was sprawled on the bedroom floor.
Gopal visited his wife at the hospital every day, until she passed away. Whenever Gopal returned home, Maxi would head to the passenger side to check if Anjiee had returned.
Therapy dogs make great companions for the elderly. Photo: TNS
Today there is another Maxi in Gopal’s life – Maxi II. (Maxi died after an unsuccessful surgery to remove a growth in his body.)
Maxi II is a Golden Retriever who was given to Gopal a month after Maxi died. Gopal says Maxi II is now his best friend and companion.
Gopal was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 50. But he keeps himself fit through regular exercise and diligently follows the diet prescribed for him. He never misses any medical appointments. The secret to his good health is his dog, he says.
“By looking after Maxi II, I am motivated to keep myself from ending up in hospital – and I have my Golden Retriever to thank for that,” says Gopal. He looks after Maxi like a son. He cleans his eyes and ears, cuts his nails, brushes his fur regularly, and bathes him.
Gopal takes Maxi II for his yearly check-ups and vaccinations.
On the current rabies outbreak in the northern states, Gopal points out the importance of taking preventive measures, no matter which part of the country you are in.
Maxi II is always on a leash when they go for walks. He is never left to roam on his own outside the house.
“I think the Department of Veterinary Services and the local councils are doing a great job of handling the rabies crisis and they need our support as dog lovers,” adds Gopal, as Maxi II jumped up and licked his face.
PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 250,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.org You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Looking For Special Pets
PETPOSITIVE NEWS!
DATELINE PETALING JAYA:
THE MALAYSIAN Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or PETPOSITIVE is looking for that right dog or cat to make a difference in the lives of people with special needs.
Your pet must be friendly and calm around people with disabilities. They must not be aggressive or unduly excited.
They must be long suffering and not be nervous in new surroundings.
These are just some of the qualities we in Petpositive are looking for in your companion animals to make a difference in the lives of our members.
So if you think your best friend has what it takes to be a Positive Pooch Partner, tell us about him in an email. Include your pet's photo as well as something about yourself as well.
Don't forget to add your contact details. Send them all to petpositive@gmail.com or petpositive@yahoo.com
You may also call us at +60122203146.
Thank you!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Canine Triumph Over Prejudice
Thursday September 20, 2012
Dogs shows continue to draw crowds
Wheel Power
By ANTHONY THANASAYAN
Dog shows remain ever popular and continue to draw crowds wherever they are held.
I HAD a terrific time at the Malaysian Kennel Association’s international championship dog show which was held at a shopping mall in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, last weekend.
I found myself in the company of more than 300 dogs and about 1,500 people.
There were four events running concurrently over two days. Five judges from Sweden, Australia, India, the Philippines and Singapore presided over the occasion.
All the canines were vying to be selected for at least two upcoming prestigious dog competitions in the United States and Britain.
The
writer poses with (from left) Chan Oi Keng, owner of Bosnia the
Rottweiler, Malaysian Kennel Association president Larry Yuen, and Datuk
Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin, Department of Veterinary Services
Director-General. The showcase was launched by Datuk Dr Abdul Aziz Jamaluddin, Director-General of the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).
I was invited by the organisers in my capacity as chairman of the Canine Advisory Team of the Petaling Jaya City Council. I was also there as president of Petpositive, an animal-assisted therapy society for people with disabilities and the elderly.
I was thrilled to be invited. As I mingled with the crowd, a few people approached me and told me they were inspired to see me there in my wheelchair – that my disability didn’t stop me from having fun.
What an encouraging remark. This sure beats asking a disabled person what is “wrong” with them at first meeting, which some people annoyingly do.
Why should anything be “wrong” with anyone just because he or she sits in a wheelchair? How does someone continue a conversation with a person after such a remark?
As for the canine participants, they were waggy tails all the way.
Curious at first, probably on coming in contact with a “chair on wheels” for the first time, they quickly settled down with generous licks of understanding.
I was surrounded by scores of German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Dobermans, and even Bull Terriers which our society has unfairly tagged under the “dangerous” and “banned dogs” list and I emerged without even a scratch.
Taking to the press after the launch, Dr Abdul Aziz brought home the point that dogs were never the problem; the real issue was errant owners.
He stressed that more people, especially the disabled and the elderly, should explore the use of canines for animal-assisted therapy. He said that DVS is fully behind such a move.
Dr Abdul Aziz said the elderly, infirm and disabled have greatly benefited from having pets which helped them achieve a higher quality of life.
However, he was quick to point out that every dog, no matter what size or breed, comes with a heavy responsibility. No one should think of owning a dog if he or she is not prepared for the hard work that comes along with it.
Dr Abdul Aziz said that whilst the use of dogs should be encouraged for health benefits, no one should keep dogs purely to protect their home without showing them love and care.
“Keeping a dog should never be done on impulse. They may look cute and cuddly at first but it is not at all like buying a fish from the pet store,” he warned.
After the press conference, I followed the DG and the organisers around the performance rings and the exhibition area to meet the canine participants and their owners.
It was there that we met Bosnia, a huge and magnificent Rottweiler which belonged to Chan Oi Keng. We couldn’t resist patting and playing with the Rottie.
Indeed, it was an insightful day for everyone. Not only did the canines come out champs, it was a day when awareness triumphed over ignorance and prejudice.
PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!
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