TOP Dogs are more than man’s best friend
TOP Dogs is a registered non-profit and public benefit organisation where volunteers can come together with their dogs and train them to become therapy dogs.
TOP Dogs and handlers had the opportunity to spend the day out in the sun at Zuperdog Training Academy on Saturday, July 10.
Tails were wagging, treats were in abundance and the humans had fun interacting with fellow TOP dogs volunteers. The picnic and play time was a celebration after receiving some wonderful goodies sponsored by Marlton. “Every handler received a backpack, TOP dogs bandana for their dogs and a blanket,” explained Jen Austin. “We also had the opportunity to go to Clearwater Mall in the morning and raise awareness of who we are and how to volunteer,” continued Austin.
TOP Dogs is a registered non-profit and public benefit organisation where volunteers can come together with their dogs and train them to become therapy dogs. These dogs are different to service dogs, which are trained to perform tasks for an individual, whereas therapy dogs offer a different type of help.
These dogs pay formal and informal visits to various facilities. There are four types of activities that TOP Dogs take part in: Animal-assisted activities improve a person’s day by interacting with dogs in situations where they would otherwise not have the opportunity or option to play with animals. Animal-assisted therapy works wonders with children who need to go through rehabilitation via physiotherapy. The doggies encourage and motivate the patients to push themselves and try their best in these therapy sessions.
Court preparation programmes with the dogs help minors build confidence and trust after experiencing trauma. The purpose of this programme is to help victims of abuse or trauma to be able to tell their story without fear of the people who might be present in the courtroom. The dogs get dressed up as the various roles in the courtroom to create a sense of safety and trust with the children.
The last activity is the animal educational programme which teaches care and safety within communities and schools that have not interacted with animals like dogs in the past. This teaches the children how to handle animals, care for them and not to be scared of them. TOP Dogs encourages community members to get involved through volunteering, donating collars, leads or food or even knitting or crocheting a pup for their court programme. To learn more about the programme contact the TOP Dogs team via email at info@therapytopdogs.co.za.
