Calvin and his owner Christen have been a part of Herodogs.org since Calvin was a puppy. Calvin was originally supposed to be a service dog, but due to severe allergies he converted over to being a therapy dog. Calvin will perform tricks such as: salute, take a bow, spin, wave, and say your prayers. As a therapy dog, Calvin's main purpose is to help those in need. He will visit hospitals, nursing homes, and veteran homes. He is there for those who need comfort and affection. He does not care who you are, all he cares about is making you feel good again. As a dog, Calvin can access more emotions than humans can. Dogs can sense how people are feeling, and they can comfort people in unique ways. In the hospitals, the nurses cannot snuggle up in a bed with a child, because the kids are often very ill. But these therapy dogs can, and they provide a sense of warmth and comfort to the patients that people cannot offer.
The interactions that dogs have with people is an overwhelming sense of love and care. Dogs can motivate patients in ways that people cannot. When Calvin; or any therapy dog, goes into a hospital to visit a patient, the patient will often smile and want to get out of their bed and walk the dog. The kids want to walk with the dog and socialize. Therapy dogs can also aid in helping the patients in recovering. For example, therapy dogs will often play a game with the patients that involve the kids to use their fine motor skills. Using the therapy dogs is more effective because all the kids love to interact with the dogs, and they are more willing to participate with the dog than a nurse. The patients love to take the dogs for walks, and they are more motivated to get out of bed if the dogs are present. It is clear that dogs can supply more than an average pet. Calvin is trained to love people without hesitation. Unlike humans, Calvin sees the person for who they really are, not what society has labeled them. That is what makes Calvin and other therapy dogs unique, they will love unconditionally.
The interactions that dogs have with people is an overwhelming sense of love and care. Dogs can motivate patients in ways that people cannot. When Calvin; or any therapy dog, goes into a hospital to visit a patient, the patient will often smile and want to get out of their bed and walk the dog. The kids want to walk with the dog and socialize. Therapy dogs can also aid in helping the patients in recovering. For example, therapy dogs will often play a game with the patients that involve the kids to use their fine motor skills. Using the therapy dogs is more effective because all the kids love to interact with the dogs, and they are more willing to participate with the dog than a nurse. The patients love to take the dogs for walks, and they are more motivated to get out of bed if the dogs are present. It is clear that dogs can supply more than an average pet. Calvin is trained to love people without hesitation. Unlike humans, Calvin sees the person for who they really are, not what society has labeled them. That is what makes Calvin and other therapy dogs unique, they will love unconditionally.
"There in no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." - Benn Williams