Touching someone's heart with a therapy animal always brings joy --- joy to the person, the staff, the animal and myself. However, there are times when it seems that neither myself or the animals can reach someone... a heart locked-up due to emotional shut down. It sometimes happens at the convalescent facilities because the resident suffers from depression, sadness, and/or anger of having to live away from their family and the only home they ever knew. The change is difficult and the staff works hard to ease every new resident's transition. Though, no matter how much these hardworking, dedicated, earthly angels try to help... the adjustment process lingers, in some cases, years.

I met a resident who had been at one facility for 4 years. A staff member told me that he was unhappy from the first day he moved into the facility and it never really changed. For four years, he was angry and argumentative, preferring to eat in his room isolated from others, often used obscenities or mean tones towards the staff, screaming at them to leave him alone. He pushed everyone away from him, bitter about his change in health and living environment. I cannot say that I blame him, because with all the blessings in this world, sometimes life isn't fair and no one said we have to like it or agree with it. Though, knowing that it takes a lot of energy to be bitter, it would serve a much more useful purpose to use that same energy to make a change for the better.

Exactly how is that done ? There's no clear cut answer. It's unique to the person and they have to want it, somewhere, even if it is hidden and locked away. My belief is that if you can lock something up, then you can unlock it. And if the key is missing? Make a new one, find another way in. I'm really speaking metaphorically about being persistent, using loving resources and patience to help.

I had visited this facility for at least four years. During all of this time, I wasn't even aware of this particular man until the caring and patience of one staff member brought his name to my attention. In that one loving, caring, sharing moment, his life was about to change. She learned that he liked animals, but he had never allowed anyone to bring him to us. Today, I was bringing a bunny to him.

I was cautioned by the staff member that I may get thrown out of his room, rejected like so many others, that he may not use nice words (as she so tactfully put it). "Prepare yourself for the worst," I was cautioned. With a warning like that, a feeling of intimidation washed over me. I quickly recognized it and felt what I needed to do was go in there with confidence, openness and hope. He took one look at me and gave me, "The Look." You know, the look of I don't know you, I didn't invite you, you're not welcome. With a bunny in my arms, and a deep breath, I entered with a smile and an apology of interrupting his fine day and introduced myself and Caramel.

Not knowing exactly what to say next and trusting my intuition, I just allowed a sentence to form. "Caramel is a little grumpy today and I thought you could cheer her up." I said with complete openness, hope and wondering if I should have prepared for the worst.

He replied sternly, "I know just how she feels. Bring her here."

*Click* <----- For a moment, imagine, that sound.... was the unlocking of a heart. With that, the bond between them began. His heart unlocked just enough to allow himself to give some of his love to Caramel.

He could have asked me to leave, instead, we spent 20 minutes together, all the while he cradled and stroked her soft body reassuring her that things would get better. He opened up about his life, talking to me a bit but really focusing on Caramel. When it was time to leave, he welcomed us back, anytime. He turned a corner, actually two, the corners of his mouth judging by his smile. It was a nice surprise for all of us. Even the staff member commented that he was the nicest she had ever remembered.

It's been several months since that first visit and he now joins the group for the Pet Therapy activities. I was told that he attends many activities now, will join the others for meals, and in general is much more amicable towards the staff. Team effort, timing, patience, caring, love, openness and a little bunny unlocked his heart and improved his quality of life. With more of that, we can touch others and be there when their *click* happens.

Baby in training! Poking fun at picture day. (photo courtesy of Jonathan Lentz)

Working with animals and people is a constant learning experience. I never claim to know it all, because God knows... I don't. I'd like to think that I know exactly which animal personality (bunny, guinea pig, dog, chicken) will suit the right person. Most of the time, I get it right... if averaged out over all of the facility visits and 800 residents/patients, I'm in the ninety plus percentile. But, narrow it down to one facility and one resident in particular, it took 21 visits and 34 animals to find the right pairing. One particular younger, severely autistic patient has shown me that it doesn't matter how cute and cuddly the animal, if there isn't chemistry between them, there isn't significant interaction.

What is autism? According to the Autism Society of America, "Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Both children and adults with autism typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. One should keep in mind however, that autism is a spectrum disorder and it affects each individual differently and at varying degrees..."... there is no known single cause for autism..."

I was told on the previous 20 visits that this patient was displaying some interest in the animals I was presenting to him, because he was not displaying signs of the repetitive behavior he generally exhibits. While that is progress, he was also not displaying any visible signs of focus and emotional interest. The staff are qualified, highly trained, professionals and I rely on their keen training and assessment to advise me on improvement. Even so, there is a part of me that continued to hope that one day, one animal, would evoke an emotional response... at the very least, a smile.

On the 21st visit, I finally found the bunny that made him smile and laugh. For the first time, he interacted with little Rigby, a 7 month old Holland lop rabbit. He showed obvious signs of looking at this bunny, then acknowledged the nurse by looking at her, laugh and point at the bunny. (Rigby, by the way, is Caramel's offspring. Caramel is pictured above, and Rigby is a smaller version of Caramel.) With help, he petted Rigby somewhat clumsily for the duration of our visit, all the while laughing, smiling, giggling, focusing with interest at his new friend. Rigby sat quietly and patiently seemingly understanding the significance of the breakthrough. Visit number 22 with Rigby is scheduled and we look forward to seeing him smile again.

THERAPY CHOICES
There are three main varieties of rabbits that I prefer to use for therapy: Holland Lop, Mini Lop and Mini Rex. These small rabbits have wonderful temperaments and generally weigh no more than 6 pounds. The balance of well trained rabbits, good shelter, diet, grooming/care, love and exercise makes a good therapy animal to help a person heal and/or improve their quality of life.

SHELTER
Large, roomy, well ventilated wood hutches are provided. Hutches are designed to provide shade and shelter from natural elements, such as direct sun, wind, rain and storms. They are locked to protect the rabbits from escape, theft and predators.

DIET
Rabbits are given fresh vegetables and/or greens daily (including, but not limited to: carrots, celery, romaine lettuce, apples, broccoli, or spinach), along with grass hay for proper digestion and a constant supply of standard alfalfa rabbit pellets. Hawaiian ti leaves (green variety), hibiscus branches, alfalfa hay or millet are given as treats (generally once or twice a month). Lixit water bottles are filled daily with fresh drinking water. Bunnies must have fresh water and food available at all times.

GROOMING / CARE
The bunnies front teeth (upper and lower) grow constantly. To keep their teeth at normal length, they have non-treated wood blocks in their hutches to chew. Nails on their front and back feet are clipped every 4-6 weeks to avoid injuries to the animals as well as the patients. Cages are cleaned daily.

Bunnies are social and prefer to live with a roommate(s). Generally, pairing other same sex rabbits or neutered/spayed rabbits make good cagemates. Several of the therapy rabbits are housed with guinea pigs, who also make good cagemates. Like any animal, they have their own distinctive personalities and don't always get along, so finding the right cagemate is important for harmony, physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Brushing is needed during periods of molt for handling purposes. All animals are inspected for health; checked for bright eyes, good teeth, proper length of nails, shininess of fur, and changes in behavior. Treatment is given accordingly for any signs of illness, parasites, stress, and infection.

LOVE
Given daily!!!!!!!!

EXERCISE
Exercise is important. Bunnies are turned out in a safe, enclosed area. Just like a person, stress builds up when locked-up consistently. Large groups of rabbits are put together for exercise, play, and social interaction. When turned out in groups, we supervise their activities. While they can spend hours of fun for exercise, they all have to be caught and put back into their hutches. Some sit still for me to catch, while others....

Everyone gets their exercise! (left to right) Dr. Shannon Dominguez, Baby, and Bella (photo courtesy of Jonathan Lentz)

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PET THERAPY
VISIT: www.behypnotized.com/pet_therapy.html
or email: info@behypnotized.com

WHAT IS ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY?
Animal-Assisted Therapy is also known as Pet Therapy. It is the utilization of specially trained animals as a form of therapy in the clinical environment (i.e.. hospitals, convalescent centers, rehabilitation facilities, Alzheimer and adult day care). It is not a practice of performing therapy on pets or animals, as is often thought by those not familiar with this type of modality.

The formal definition of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is: "AAT is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. AAT is directed and/or delivered by a health/human service professional with specialized expertise, and within the scope of practice of his/her profession.

MAUI ANIMAL ALOHA CENTER
The Maui Animal Aloha Center is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation offering Animal-Assisted Therapy to children and adults and Therapeutic Horseback riding for disabled children. The first handicapped therapeutic riding sessions were conducted on the grounds of The Maui Horse Center in Makawao by Harriet (Haku) Baldwin in 1973. Nearly 20 years later, Haku Baldwin founded the Maui Animal Aloha Center in 1991 to provide a permanent place for the therapeutic horseback riding program. In recent years, the therapeutic program expanded to include Animal-Assisted (Pet) Therapy in the hospitals, pediatric units, rehabilitation/convalescent facilities and Alzheimer daycare centers.

YOUR DONATIONS HELP!
(and are tax-deductible)
MAUI ANIMAL ALOHA CENTER
PO Box 880278
Pukalani, HI 96788-0278
Phone: (808) 572-5753

© Shannon Dominguez, DCH
All rights reserved
2006