Weekend View: Animal Therapists In Action

Story by aNt. Pictures by Ruwaidy Mat Rasul.
AS president of Petpositive - our national, non profit society which was set up to provide animal-assisted therapy (AAT) for disabled and elderly Malaysians for positive living – it is no secret that I am a die-hard believer in the power of pets.

One, because of how my own three canines empower me daily in my wheelchair through their active presence.

And two, how pets make a significant difference in the lives of almost every handicapped and elderly persons that come in contact with them.

Ever since Petpositive was formed two years ago (we just, by the way, celebrated our anniversary last Saturday); we are pleased to say that at least a 110 of our members have personally benefited in some way or another through our animal-related activities.

This was accomplished either through close encounters with them or actually stroking and bonding with animals.

The pets that we have “enlisted” so far to help us in our projects and events have been common domesticated animals. They include rabbits, cats, dogs, fishes and horses.

Some unconventional animals have also made “guest appearances” as our very able therapists from nature. They were several wild frogs, one monkey and even a pride of peafowl!

Petpositive has not had the opportunity yet to work with exotic animals like non poisonous spiders and snakes.

Whilst the thought of such creatures may send shivers down some of our spines, they are often in reality much better suited for certain disabled and elderly persons.

People with more profound disabilities and mobility restrictions, for example, may find such slithering and crawling companions much easier to handle and care for than rabbits or birds.

Having said that, dogs are by far and large still one of the best pets for AAT work. Provided, of course, that the AAT recipient-to-be is not unduly intimidated or fearful of their presence.

We had the wonderful opportunity to watch the canine therapists in all their glory again at our last AAT-cum-nature-therapy session. It was held at the Botanical Gardens in Kepong, Selangor, a fortnight ago.

This time, rather than to invite a large group as we did before, we decided to keep the numbers small. Our invitation went out to only five participants – instead of the 25 disabled and elderly members that we had in the previous occasion.

The smaller number of our special guests proved to be a big hit with everyone. There was more time for all of us to get to know each other – including our pets – in a meaningful way.

There was no cause for having to rush through a tight programme schedule as before.

What was also distinct about this session was that almost all of our participants brought their pets along. The last time, we provided the pets.

One participant with a muscle-weakening condition said she couldn’t bring her dog along because she feared that he would not behave well in a new environment.

This became an excellent ice-breaking topic for everyone during the AAT session.

Another participant, who suddenly and tragically became blind in both eyes a few months ago, related his personal account of how everyone in his family was trying their best to cope with his sudden handicap.

This included his pet dog, which after sensing his blindness, now amazingly goes over to him and gives him a lick on his hand to let him know that she is around. No one taught his dog to do this!

A participant in a wheelchair suddenly stretched out his hand. He was eager to pat an Alsatian lying down next to him. The dog was owned by someone else.

Looking at all of us he said that he too would like to have a dog one day. However, he could not as some people in his house did not like pets.

He asked us, with a smile, if Petpositive would help him find a pet when he moved out to his own home.

We nodded enthusiastically.

In addition to talking about their pets, they also started sharing about their disabilities. Some of them choked with tears as they opened up and shared about their struggles.

And it was unanimous. All who had pet companions testified that it was their pets that really and truly understood and appreciated what they were going through daily.

I was simply astounded. I have been to scores of meetings and events involving the disabled and never once have I seen people opening up so easily and readily than when their pets were by their side!

Petpositive wishes to create more of such opportunities.

Whilst we are still looking for a centre in the PJ/KL/Klang area, we are also looking for an immediate location to provide AAT to small groups of disabled and elderly persons on a monthly basis for a start. The venue will be a place where our members can come with their pets or be exposed to them there.

If you can help, kindly contact us: 012 220 3146. Mailto:petpositive@yahoo.com or visit www.petpositive.blogspot.com

PET+BLOGSPOT

WEEKEND VIEW: HE'S GOT MY BACK (ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY)

Wheel Power, The Star.

WEEKEND VIEW

A pet that is a helper and protector, but most of all, a friend.

I WAS invited to a government meeting last week, which I thought was not only important but particularly significant, as well, to the work that I do.

It was an official planning meeting that was held in Putrajaya. The invitation came from the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).

In August, Malaysians from all walks of life will be treated to a very special exhibition. It is the Malaysian Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Show. Also known as Maha 2008, the huge outdoor event to be held in Serdang, Selangor, is expected to showcase the latest technologies and innovations in the respected industries.

It is said to be the biggest event of its kind in South-East Asia. Among other things, visitors to the exhibit will get the rare chance to be exposed to all kinds of animals and pets. The organisers hope that such an experience, above all, will prove to be highly educational for everyone – especially on how animals contribute positively to human beings.

My purpose at the meeting as president of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and the Elderly Association or Petpositive was primarily for two reasons. The first was to give helpful tips and advice to the planners on how to make the occasion accessible for disabled Malaysians and elderly people with special needs.

Some of the challenges before the Maha organising team in this area would be to carefully look into providing special parking spots close to all the action. This is so that the disabled can comfortably place their vehicles or be dropped off.

There is also a need for suitable wheelchair-friendly restrooms, as well as extra assistance for handicapped visitors who require them.

Of course, the chief reason for my participation in the ongoing meetings is to give my input on how pets can – and frequently do – play a positive role in the lives of the people with disabilities and the elderly. Not only am I ecstatic about the fact that this appears to be the first time that Maha is working hard to consciously include the needs of the disabled at one of its events, but also that the benefits of animal-assisted therapy are something it (the DVS in particular) is keen to promote to the public.

I guess when it comes to talking about how pets can empower the disabled, no one knows more about it than me probably. Regular readers of this column know who the real heroes in my life are – my three dogs who share my room and my life.

Monday happened to be the birthday of my youngest service dog, Biman III, who turned four.

The Alsatian or German Shepherd Dog (GSD) was the “anointed” replacement for another amazing GSD named Biman II. I lost him to cancer five years ago.

Even in the seven-year-old canine’s death, he taught me that life was always worth living – no matter what the circumstances around us might be.

Although Biman III, which I got as a seven-week-old pup six months after Biman II died, did not follow exactly in his predecessor’s paw prints, he nonetheless has become extraordinary in scores of other ways.

He’s the reason I wake up in the mornings when society falsely tells us that wheelchairs are a death sentence in life. For Biman III, what I choose to use as my mobility aid is no excuse to lie in bed all day, worrying about my condition.

Wheelchairs are not an acceptable reason for refusing to groom him daily or to give him his occasional bath – ideal chores, in fact, that keep me constantly motivated about my own need to take care of my body and health. The wonderful canine insists that I, rather than anyone else, feed him his daily meals. Society often says the opposite: handicapped people are totally useless. In Biman’s non-judgmental eyes, it is people in wheelchairs who are fully normal human beings! So if you intend to be pally with my GSD, it is always best to bring your own wheelchair to make an impression on the handsome boy.

Often it is because of him that I ever get to go out of my room at all – especially when it is “walk time” or when it is the perfect evening to go for a drive around the city.

When you think about it, venturing out alone in a wheelchair can be quite a daunting prospect.

Not at all, however, if there is a very trusty and watchful Shepherd looking out for you from the back seat of your car.

For more information about Petpositive, call 012-220 3146, e-mail petpositive@yahoo.com or go to www.petpositive.blogspot.com.