Profiling the charity, Therapy Dogs Nationwide – Jersey, which offers, through visiting dogs, emotional support to people in difficult or stressful period of their lives. Alasdair Crosby met the chairman of the Jersey branch, Ro Cox.
It has been called ‘a glimpse of normality’ for people who might be old, lonely, in hospital or hospice, but also children, perhaps who have been previously startled or nipped by a dog, and need reassurance through meeting a calm and friendly one…. there are many people in all walks of life or in all circumstances who find emotional support through the charity, Therapy Dogs Nationwide.
The charity has evolved and is now quite separate from the former ‘Pets as Therapy’ charity, started in Jersey by Valerie Johnson. This charity has ceased operating in Jersey, and handed over the baton to Therapy Dogs Nationwide, the Jersey branch of which was started by Ro Cox.
‘I have been doing therapy dog work for over 30 years,’ Ro said, since I first came to the Island with my red setter. I was a teacher for a long time, until I had to give that because of poor health.
‘We now have over 40 active volunteers, and we work in a wide variety of different areas across the community, everything from the Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, in the wards, and even behind the scenes with some of the staff. We visit a number of primary schools; Highlands College; Mont-à-l’Abbé School, and also, we visit the prison —it means so much to the inmates, and for them, it really is a glimpse of normality.’
Then there is the Women’s Refuge, Acorn, Pain Support Jersey, Dementia Jersey, Eye Can, Samaritans, a whole variety of places. They are also invited into corporate offices and schools, especially at examination times to help relieve students’ stress.
‘We also go to both the Island’s public libraries, a different day each week. Parents know about this and bring in their children, just so can meet a calm and friendly dog. So the increased footfall in the libraries has increased accordingly. Which is brilliant!
‘One of the dogs snores, and the children: “Is the snoring dog coming in today?”
Ro said that all the volunteers’ dogs went through a ‘talent test’ to see if they have suitable temperaments — not all dogs like to be petted by strangers.
‘Our dogs are not assistance dogs, they are emotional support dogs. We go to places, we are insured, and we do our job. We wear a uniform with our logo on it, so we can be identified as Therapy Dogs Nationwide, and similarly our dogs wear TDN bandanas around their necks.
‘If people see us going in to the Hospital, for example, with a dog, they might think “Oh, well if these people can take a dog inside, so can we.’” But that is not the case. We are only there because we have express permission.’
Asked what sort of dogs are suitable, she replied: ‘ Any breed or type of dog — Irish Setters, English Springers, big dogs, small dogs, fluffy ones, crossbreed and pedigree dogs, any dog that reminds them of a dog they had kept when they younger. It doesn’t matter what sort, so long as they have a suitable temperament.’
Did they take dogs that are fed raw food? ‘We do, but we are just very careful where they go. It is only at the Hospital that we do not take raw-fed dogs to visit.’
New volunteers and their dogs are always welcome. And the volunteers are supported for their first few visits.
Apart from the visits, there are also social get togethers and coffee mornings for the volunteers.
It can be quite sobering, she said, bringing dogs to see hospital or Hospice patients.
‘It is wonderful work. I met one person recently who said to me: “Did you used to go to Overdale?” I said ‘”yes”, and she continued “You used to visit my husband with a dog when he was a patient there.
“It was the only time there that he ever smiled.”
