Diana French
Special to the Tribune
Have you ever wanted to know about therapy dogs? Why not head down to the Williams Lake Harvest Fair this Saturday and meet Molly and her owner Karen Wright.
Molly is a five year old Golden Retriever, and along with other Certified Therapy Dogs with the St. John Ambulance Service, she brings a “moment of joy” to people who, for whatever reason, need comforting, stress relief, distraction from pain or some unconditional love.
“I really enjoy visiting with seniors and kids because they get so much out of Molly,” Karen says, adding “there is scientific evidence that petting an animal, especially dogs, can lower your heart rate, lower your anxiety level, lower your blood pressure and give you a good feeling all around.”
Karen is a relative newcomer to this area. She and her husband enjoy fishing and camping, and when she retired after 37 years working with Telus, they chose the to live in the Cariboo. They moved to the 150 Mile House in November, 2017.
Karen and Molly will have a booth set up inside the curling rink at the fair for those who would like to learn more about the program.
Read More: Organizers excited to open the doors of the Fall Fair Sept. 8-9
Karen first got involved with the St John Ambulance (SJA) Therapy Dog Program when they lived in Surrey.
The Therapy Dog program, which began in Ontario in 1992, varies across Canada and depends on community need and, of course, the availability of dogs and volunteers. It offers many benefits, improving the quality of the lives they touch. The dogs offer comfort and companionship to senior’s in residences and care facilities; they provide distraction for patients awaiting treatment In hospitals; they work with children with special needs, youth at risk and can even help young children to learn to read. The dogs are great at helping to relieve stress, be it working with students worrying about exams, or with police, fire departments,social workers and psychologists during times of crisis. People talk with the volunteer, pet and cuddle the dog and the results are positive. Molly has her Therapy Dog certification, Children Test Evaluation certification and CKC CGN (Canine Good Neighbour) certification. She and Karen, who has been a dog handler for over two years, have a busy schedule. They are in Williams Lake three days a week at the Senior’s Village Tuesday and Thursday, and then on to Cataline Elementary when school was in session. On Wednesdays they go to the local library.
“I used to volunteer for “BC Pets and Friends” with another dog years ago and was always interested in the dog therapy program,” she explains. ”I volunteered with SJA as they were closer to where we lived and I’d heard great things about the organization. “
When they were in Surrey, Karen and Molly were also involved in the LASI Program (Less Airport Stress Initiative) a program partnership with SJA Therapy Dogs and the airport. They spent time with passengers, YVR Staff, etc. Last year during the devastating Wildfires, SJA Therapy Dogs were sent to some Evacuation Centres, and Karen and Molly spent time at the Cloverdale Centre. Karen says it was truly was amazing to see the comfort these dogs gave to so many of the displaced people.
She is so enthusiastic about Therapy Dog program that along with spending hours volunteering with Molly, Karen promotes the program whenever she can. She is helping Ashten Black , the Community Services Programs and Outreach Team Lead , St. John Ambulance (BC and Yukon Council), expand the Therapy Dog Program within the Cariboo Region as “there certainly is a need for the program everywhere.” Karen had a booth at the South Cariboo Summer Festival in August, and she plans to be at the Williams Lake Harvest Fair September 8.
SJA doesn’t train its therapy dogs, they evaluate the dog’s temperament, behaviour and appropriateness for the program. The ideal therapy dogs enjoy being pets, are comfortable in large groups, aren’t bothered by affection, enjoy the interaction, are generally excited to see people but don’t jump up and can easily be calmed.
Williams Lake does have a therapy dog that works with Victims Services. There are so many other groups that could benefit from the program but dogs and volunteers are needed. Some possible future SJA Therapy Dog volunteers signed up at the 100 Mile House in August, and Karen would like to find others who want to get involved with the program.
She welcomes everyone to come down to the fair Sept. 8 and have a visit.