Patients at Lakeland Specialty Hospital in Berrien Center now have another kind of therapy to help them regain motor and speech skills. Under a new voluntary program, they can work with dogs. Helen Fasano, owner of the Petz Carlton at Harbor Shores, says that she got the idea after having volunteered with another dog therapy program in Chicago for several years. She'd been going there with her two dogs to work with stroke victims and others when it occurred to her to see if Lakeland would be interested:
She says that a dog must get special certification to take part in the program, and it's all designed to be comfortable for the patients:
Fasano says that doing simple things like petting, brushing, or commanding a dog can do wonders for someone -- such as a stroke victim -- who is struggling with motor or speech problems:
Right now, a handful of volunteers hold short sessions with their dogs at Lakeland Specialty once a week, and Fasano hopes to expand on that. To find out how you might help, call the Petz Carlton at 934-7389.
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