TOUCH Our Pets therapy dogs – known as TOP Dogs –which consists of a group of volunteers and their dogs, who visit various facilities in their community, are now hoping more volunteers will join their worthy cause in Jeffreys Bay and Gqeberha to do similar work in the area.
Therapy dog handler for TOP Dogs, Cheryl Durham, said the non-profit voluntary organisation is based in Gauteng and was established in 2008 with eight dedicated therapy dog handlers and their pets.
Since its establishment 14 years ago, the organisation has grown to approximately 150 qualified handlers and dogs that have joined their programme.
Durham said dog handlers and dogs from the organisation visited a variety of facilities in the community such as old age homes, hospice care and schools, among other places.
She said people benefited enormously from interacting with friendly dogs.
“This type of therapy is scientifically proven. The feel-good chemicals like dopamine in our brains are released and promote healing and calmness to humans,” said Durham.
She said their motto was “spread smiles for miles”, which was being achieved on a regular basis with visits from their friendly, non-threatening dogs to many venues.
“We do this because we really care and want to make a difference by changing people’s lives,” said Durham.
“People love the experience. You see people who are virtually non-responsive, reach out to touch the dogs, or smile, or cry, or even try to speak. They connect on a very emotional level.”
To help provide dog therapy to more people, the organisation is hoping to expand their membership to Jeffreys Bay and Gqeberha.
Durham said there were currently five qualified handlers and dogs in these two locations with Eastern Cape coordinator of TOP Dogs, Jill Thompson, overseeing the members and the visits to the various facilities.
As part of their marketing campaign and to help people in the region learn more about their organisation, they will provide more information at their stall at Milkwood Market on Saturday, February 12.
To join the organisation, Durham said people could complete an application form on the ‘how to get involved’ section on their website, https://www.therapytopdogs.co.za/.
“The handlers and dogs will then be invited to attend an evaluation by TOP Dogs and will be assessed on various animal behaviour criteria,” said Durham.
She further said if the handlers and dogs passed the evaluation, they would be inducted into the organisation.
“The handlers will then be allowed to attend a few observation visits without their dogs, to see which venues would be more suitable for them,” said Durham.
“Once the observation visits have all been completed, there will be six probation visits with the handler and their dog working as part of the team.”
Durham said once those visits have been completed and signed off, the handler and dog will officially be qualified.
As members, dog handlers and dogs will need to commit to a minimum of one visit per month and pay a modest annual subscription fee.
