Many things are easier when done as a team – this applies to both humans and animals. There are dogs that help people live with disabilities. These dogs are not only special animals, they are also specially trained.
Therapy dogs support people with neurological and mental illnesses during therapy. Together with therapists or educators, they help people with various disabilities to progress through therapy. This form of therapy is called animal-assisted therapy.
Dogs are very good at communicating without words and are highly sensitive to moods and emotions. They are non-judgmental when interacting with people and do not give unnecessary advice or instructions. They are simply there and give people their affection. Despite any problems that may arise during interaction, the animals remain loving and provide comfort and warmth. This can create a sense of security for human patients. In the best case, hormones such as oxytocin are released, which are beneficial to humans.
A good therapy dog is therefore attentive and affectionate in its work, constantly giving people a feeling of closeness and love. In this work, the human therapist must ensure that their animal helper gets the necessary rest periods: the working hours should not overexert the dog.
Therapy dogs must be able to engage with different patients and be compatible with them. Unlike assistance dogs, which are specially trained for one patient and accompany them in their life and everyday routine.
High social skills are absolutely essential if a dog is to do its job as a therapy dog well. The dog needs to have a peaceful character, but one that is nevertheless stable. The many different smells, noises, and sometimes disproportionate "outbursts" of the patient must not unsettle the dog. The dog should be calm and not display strong territorial behavior. Of course, only a healthy dog that is free of pain can do such a job. Touch, even more physical touch, must not hurt the dog.
When it starts work, it should be at least one year old and have undergone good basic training. During this training, it will first practice what it will later experience in therapy sessions with "non-patients." Absolute obedience to its owner is mandatory. This is because the dog must be able to be called and directed at all times during work. Wild, unwanted barking, jumping up, or boisterous play are not allowed during therapy sessions. Vaccinations, worming, and regular health checks are also important. After all, this work and contact with many people require high standards of hygiene.
Not every breed is equally suited to training and working as a therapy dog. Of course, there are always exceptions, and a dog may show during its development that it is a potential candidate for this work. However, if you are specifically looking for a suitable therapy dog, take a look at the breed profiles beforehand.
When choosing a puppy, be sure to ask the breeder to explain how the individual puppies behave so that you don't end up with the bully or the scaredy-cat of the litter. With young dogs, you can certainly do a few more "tests" to assess their suitability than with a puppy.
Whether you choose a small, medium, or large dog is up to you, depending on your needs and those of the patients who will be working with the dog. In any case, the dog should have a desire to please. It is then important to tailor the training so that your future therapy dog is trained according to its personality traits.
Are you one of those people who dream of teaching Beo to talk? Training and taming birds requires patience and empathy for your feathered friend. Nothing is impossible, but some species are more talented at speech than others, while others prefer to live their own lives in small flocks and are not particularly interested in "conversing" with humans.
In veterinary medicine, retained placenta refers to the placenta and egg membranes remaining in the uterus after the birth of the foal. This is not a separate disease, but rather a symptom of various functional disorders. It is one of the most common problems during the birth process in mares and occurs in 2 to 10% of all foal births.
Cats are very resilient and do not show symptoms of illness until late stages. When is it an emergency? And what is the right thing to do? Here you will find useful information to help you assess your cat's condition. The most important thing is to stay calm and keep a clear head.
If you have decided to get a rabbit as a pet, it is certainly interesting to learn a little about the different breeds of rabbits. Below you will find a few breed profiles. Decide for yourself which rabbit suits you best. You may also want to visit one or two breeders and get some more detailed advice.
This viral disease, also known as canine distemper due to its high contagiousness, is an acute infectious disease that is widespread worldwide. Puppies between two and 16 weeks of age, unvaccinated dogs, and older dogs are particularly at risk. If left untreated, the disease is usually fatal. However, modern vaccines provide effective prevention.
Just like in humans, tartar and plaque are really common in our furry friends. These yellowish, rough deposits show up mainly on the corner and front teeth and can lead to serious gum inflammation. Older dogs, small breeds, and dogs with crooked teeth are especially at risk because their teeth don't clean themselves as well.
Cats are among the most popular pets, with around 14.7 million living in German households alone and a total of approximately 46 million across Europe. Only about half of them are vaccinated and neutered, and therefore well protected against disease and unwanted reproduction. Many thousands of them roam the countryside as abandoned, stray, or feral cats.
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) is currently the most dangerous disease affecting rabbits. It is caused by a virus and causes blood clotting disorders (hemorrhagic = bleeding, causing hemorrhages). It is highly contagious and occurs worldwide in both domestic and wild rabbits. The infectious disease was first described in China in 1984, which is why it is also known as Chinese disease. Young animals and unvaccinated adult animals are particularly at risk.
Many dog owners will be familiar with this condition, which is colloquially referred to as foreskin inflammation. Recurring, yellowish-green, dripping discharge is very common, especially in young, unneutered male dogs.
They are lively, curious, and entertaining, and you will have a lot of fun with a hamster. If you get involved and accept their peculiarities, you can become a really good team. With enough attention for your little darling, nothing should stand in the way of a long, happy hamster life.
One of the horses in your stable has a fever and nasal discharge. This is not necessarily cause for concern, as it could just be a harmless cold. But a few days later, three more horses in the stable have exactly the same symptoms. It is noticeable that all affected horses have severely swollen lymph nodes on their heads. By now, at the latest, the veterinarians who have been called in are alert, because this respiratory disease is obviously very contagious. Swab samples are sent to the laboratory and the suspicion is quickly confirmed. It is strangles, a highly contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract in horses. Even though the disease is not notifiable or reportable, stable owners and horse owners should now act carefully to prevent further spread.
Age is not a disease. We all get older and our bodies show signs of wear and tear. Some of us age faster than others, while others stay fit a little longer. Our horses are similar. From a certain age onwards, the signs can become increasingly noticeable. But this is no reason for us horse owners to get nervous. With keen observation skills and a little support, our beloved animals can grow old in good health.
