February 25, 2004

By: Rick Towers
Website: http://www.1st-in-pets.com

“Rocky” the Therapy Dog enters the substance abuse counseling arena

Animals have a way of bringing a smile even under the most difficult and trying circumstances. Their very presence is known to decrease blood pressure, lower heart rate, decrease the amount of medication needed, and speed recovery times. Because of this, the use of specially trained companion animals in medical and mental health settings has been gaining recognition over the past decade as a valid therapeutic intervention.

Meet Rockefeller or “Rocky”, Jefferson County’s newest employee. Rocky joins the staff of the Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment’s Substance Abuse Counseling Program as a trained therapy dog. He is a one-year old sable and white Collie who has been training with his handler Teri Pichot, Program Manager of the Substance Abuse Counseling Program.

Being a therapy dog isn’t easy, as Teri states “It takes just the right temperament combined with an above average level of obedience training and most of all, it takes a kind of dog that likes to interact with people”. The duo will be working with clients in an informal “meet and greet” type of interaction with the following goals:

• Increase the general comfort level of clients
• Encourage clients to focus on a positive activity
• Change the power differential between the professional and the client (i.e. make the professional seem more “human” and approachable) In addition, if a SACP client is identified as benefiting from animal assisted therapy, a specific treatment goal will be developed and individual sessions with Rocky will be scheduled.

Beginning in October, Rocky is scheduled to work one to two days a week at the Substance Abuse Counseling Program located at Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment’s Lakewood Clinic, 260 South Kipling Street.

For more information, see pet health care information.

About The Author:

Rick Towers is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-pets.com.  Pamper your pet and get up to date information on pet health, food, accessories, behavior, gifts and toys.