The “teddy bear” therapy dog
Kit with owner Megan Mathis. Together the pet team delivers smiles and spreads joy to the residents of The Haven Home.
Man’s best friend not only makes for a great companion, but also provides nonjudgmental support and can help individuals with mental and physical health. Dog and animal therapy has been proven to reduce anxiety, create a sense of security and help with pain relief in humans.
Inspired by The Connection’s article earlier this year, “The power of companionship in healing,” HOA2 resident Megan Mathis felt called to enroll her 8-year-old Shiba Inu, Kitsune (Kit), with the Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD).
“I knew I wanted him to do more with his life. As soon as I saw that article in The Connection, I knew it was time,” said Megan.
The Shiba Inu, a popular Japanese breed whose name translated to English means “fox,” is intelligent, loyal and exudes a calm, zen-like demeanor; no surprise for a dog from Japan.
The ATD testing process ensures the owner and pet have a good relationship with one another and that the pet has good temperament for therapy dog work. To be certified, Kit completed three visits where he was evaluated by an ATD test observer to determine how well he responded to strangers, loud noises and touch. Megan, too, was evaluated on her relationship with Kit and her ability to control him.
As a volunteer, Kit must make at least one quarterly visit to keep his certification. ATD leaves it to the owners to arrange the visits.
After meeting Sierra Hopp, one of four owners of The Haven Home, a residential assisted living home in Lone Tree, Megan knew that would be a perfect fit for Kit. To date, Kit has had three visits to The Haven Home. “We plan on visiting monthly because the residents have really taken to him. One resident now refers to him as ‘the teddy bear,’” said Megan.
Animal visits to assisted living homes are much more than one may think. “Deep connections are made not only by the pet and resident, handlers leave knowing they have made a difference in an individual’s life and residents are more open to connect with one another often times sharing stories of their beloved pets,” said Sierra.
Megan and Kit are one of 55 certified pet teams in Douglas County; six of those teams are located here in Castle Pines.
For more information on the Alliance of Therapy Dogs visit www.therapydogs.com.
Kit, aka “the teddy bear,” with his silky long hair and calming nature make every visit to The Haven Home meaningful to every resident.
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Ryan Krauter
