Fluffy tails in the frail care unit
Top Dogs is a voluntary therapy dogs organisation based in Benoni.
Top Dogs recently visited the frail care unit at the Village Walk Retirement Village in Brentwood Park.
The president and founder of Top Dogs, Angie Thornton, and Jean Strydom visited the retirement village with two Cavaliers King Charles spaniels (Georgie and Miya) on May 8.
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During the visit, Thornton shared the story of how she found Georgie and Miya with the residents.
Established in 2008, the organisation runs programmes in the East Rand, the West Rand, Tshwane and Johannesburg.
They provide Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) to those facilities which involve the public interacting with animals to improve stimulation, memory and communication with patients or clients.
AAA also provides support and company to clients or patients.
The non-profit organisation also does Animal Assistant Therapy (AAT), which is used to achieve certain goals such as increasing the mobility of a patient after he or she has had a stroke.
Handlers and dogs teach children how not to be afraid of dogs and animals in general.
The dogs also help children who have been abused to find healing, by telling the dogs their stories.
Apart from therapy and learning, children also learn how to give and receive love.
The Animal Educational Programmes (AEP) teaches one how to take care of dogs and how to avoid being bitten.
Susan Cunningham, JD Selection general manager, said seeing the residents’ facial expression reminds us of the unconditional love that dogs have for human beings which cannot be underestimated.
“I want to commend Thornton and her team for bringing simple joy and pleasure to those who can no longer care for animals but can reminisce about their own beloved pets and enjoy the love.
The organisation visits the retirement village every second Tuesday of the month.
The retirement village is run by JD Selection in Western Extension.
To become a volunteer or for more information send an email to info@therapytopdogs.co.za or visit www.therapytopdogs.co.za
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