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Top 5 Footballers in the World and Their Unique Dogs

November 9, 2022
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Some of the world’s top footballers like to collect various luxury items such as houses, villas, cars, watches, to bags, and shoes. Of course, their collection is not arbitrary because it is supported by the availability of abundant funds. There are also players who spend a lot of money on traveling or holding party after party. But, there are also those who don’t look too glamorous despite having fat savings.

Some players also have different interests. One of them has a pet. A number of players choose to raise a dog.

Players who are known to keep dogs include Lionel Messi, Jerome Boateng, Mesut Ozil, Marcelo, and Cristiano Ronaldo. They choose dogs of various types.

There are those who choose to keep the Newfoundland, which is large in size, the Bulldog with the appearance of a wrinkled face and broad chest and muscles, to the Pug breed which is smaller than other types of dogs.

Reported by dr. Health Benefits, As we know, that animals are the best partner that humans can have. Pets in particular are creatures that are most loyal to their owners, just as dogs are loyal to their owners.

One of the benefits of having a pet is therapy to help people reduce anxiety, sadness, and feelings of isolation. Animals are non-judgmental and they will accept us without grudges.

This means that most people probably feel comfortable around animals, especially dogs, which are known to be the most loyal pets to humans. They will tend to give you comfort.

It is clear that veterinary therapy will help reduce any anxiety you may be experiencing. It also helps people to move on from a grieving state. So, by doing animal therapy, at least they can open their hearts so that the sadness they feel can be reduced.

In addition, it is also considered a therapy that can help you achieve a happier state, because animals have the ability to comfort humans. They will help reduce anxiety and sadness which can bring happiness to some people who are having problems.

Playing with animals can provide extra comfort which is sure to be fun. It may not actually solve any problems, but it sure makes people happier.

Animals always have the best way, to make people feel comfortable and safe around them. Just like when they act cute or spoiled, people will really love them, and that will make them happier.

Then what about the portraits of the types of dogs owned by world footballers?

Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

The Argentine player who is still loyal to defending the Blaugrana has a pet dog the English Mastiff. Lionel Messi loves his pet very much. The English Mastiff has earned the title of being the largest dog in the world with a weight of almost 115 kg. These dogs usually have an apricot, brindle (like tiger stripe), or fawn (brown) coat color. This dog is generally 30 inches in size. The lifespan of an English Mastiff is between 8-10 years. Messi’s dog gave the name “Senor Hulk” to his dog

Alexis Sanchez (Inter Milan)

Alexis Sanchez has two beloved dogs, which are named Atom and Humber. The two dogs became an important part of Sanchez’s life. Atom and Humber can even be said to have been famous. Fans often ask Alexis Sanchez to upload photos of his two dogs on social media.

Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)

The former Real Madrid star who is now in Arsenal uniform, Mesut Ozil, also has a cute pet. Yes, Ozil chose a small dog-type Pug. Balboa is the name Ozil gave to his dog. The source from Peluit Panjang | Situs Prediksi Sepak Bola Paling Jitu, He got the name from the character in the movie Rocky. The German man as a child was very afraid of dogs. Pugs are intelligent dog breeds. Pugs can master how to ask for food because dogs of this breed very easy to feel hungry.

Marcelo (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid’s Marcelo also has a dog as his pet of choice. The 31-year-old player chose a Newfoundland dog breed. Lola is the name Marcelona gave to her big-looking dog. Apart from Lola, Marcelo also keeps other types of dogs. He has a dog named French (bulldog), Nala (Labrador), and two other bulldogs named Kiara and Thaig.

Memphis Depay (Olympique Lyon)

Star who played in French Ligue 1 with Lyon, Memphis Depay, also chose to have a dog. Depay chose a Chow chow dog named Simba. Depay got his inspiration from the movie shop The Lion King. Depay is very loyal to take care of his pet dog. To the extent that during Manchester United, the Dutch passport player brought Simba to the city of Manchester. Dogs that are large, stocky, and have a characteristic blue and black tongue have a polite temperament and are quite friendly with children. Height ranges from 46-56 cm and weighs up to 32 Kg.

The age of the dog can reach about 15 years. The Chow Chow is a watch and watchdog.

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What is Animal Assisted Therapy? (Part 2 of 3)

June 1, 2022
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Animal Assisted Therapy part 2

Patients Needing Therapy

Patients who usually receive therapy with the help of animals are patients who generally have mental disorders or patients with long medical treatment. However, it is not limited to that, some of which are as follows:

• Children who will undergo dental treatment;
• Patients undergoing cancer therapy;
• Patients being treated for chronic heart failure;
• Stroke patients or patients requiring return of motor skills;
• Patients with cardiovascular disease;
• Patients with dementia;
• Veterans with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder);
• Patients with anxiety disorders;
• Patients with long-term treatment.

Some people cannot get animal assisted therapy from furry animals such as cats or dogs generally, for several reasons:

• Have asthma;
• Have allergies to certain animal dander;
• Have an unexplained respiratory allergy;
• Immunosuppressive disorders.

Animals That Can Help Therapy

Animals that can be used to help with this therapy are many and unlimited, however, they must meet requirements such as animal training and cleanliness.
Animals will be first cleaned, vaccinated, trained, and selected based on their behavior.
This is done so that therapy with the help of these animals becomes more effective. Some animals that can help and are commonly used in this therapy are:

• Dog;
• Cat;
• Fish;
• Dolphins
• Guinea Pigs;
• Horses;
• Goat;
• Cockatoo.
Even so, certain animals that are most widely used to assist healing therapy are dogs, cats and horses.

Preparation Before Therapy

The patient will be recommended by the doctor, if it is thought that animal-assisted therapy will help advance treatment.
The therapist will bring the animal to the patient, during each appointment or after the treatment period and direct the interaction between the animal and the patient.
There are several inspection steps that will be carried out on animals, such as:
• Selection of animals and organizations that provide animal-assisted therapy services. Before starting therapy, the team that must be examined first meets the requirements.
• Animals are physically checked and immunized, to ensure that they are free from various diseases.
• Veterinary training history is reviewed to ensure that animals are controlled and properly trained.
• After the animal and the therapist are ready, the animal can help with therapy. The type, size, age and natural behavior of the animal will be matched to suit the healing needs.
In addition, there are several things that must be considered by both the patient and the party providing therapy services with the help of animals.
Some of these things have to do with animals that will help with therapy. Patients who receive animals that are not suitable, can communicate with doctors and related parties to avoid unwanted things.
Some of the things that must be considered are:
• Animals should be immunized with prophylactic drugs according to the recommendations of a licensed veterinarian and on an as-needed basis.
• Animal health and behavioral status should be periodically evaluated.
• Animals must be free of ectoparasites (eg fleas) and must not have sutures, open wounds, or dermatological lesions associated with bacterial, fungal or viral infections.
• Animals should not be too young, under one year old because there are still unpredictable and uncontrollable behavior.
• Animal visits should be supervised by a person who knows and trains them, who is known as a therapist.

In the last part, which is part 3, we will explain about the risks of Animal Assisted therapy and the success rate of therapy. Click the link beside to read the third part and click this link to read the first part.

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What is Animal Assisted Therapy? (Part 1 of 3)

May 8, 2022
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Animal Assisted Therapy

What is Animal Assisted Therapy?

Based on the journal Annals of Long-Term Care (through the American Addiction Centers) it is said that the potential therapeutic relationship (related to therapy) between humans and animals was first recognized and explored in the 1800s by Florence Nightingale.

Nightingale found that pets can reduce anxiety in psychiatric patients and children. In the early 1930s, Sigmund Freud was known to take his dog for therapy sessions with patients.

After that, then the therapy carried out with the help of animals is certified. So, nowadays it is easy for people to find access to animal-assisted therapy through programs and in various settings.

Patients can find ways of animal-assisted therapy through hospitals for various programs, from children with psychiatric problems to programs for healing related to substance or drug abuse.

Types of Animal Assisted Therapy

There are two types of therapy with the help of animals that can be done, namely:

Animal-Assisted Therapy

The therapy that was carried out by Freud on his patients using dogs was later named Animal-Assisted Therapy (abbreviated as AAT).
AAT requires a chaperone, counselor, or therapist who is specifically involved and assists in this therapy.
As Freud did with his patients. AAT can be done with a therapist who has been trained and licensed by bringing together animals and patients.
The main goal of AAT is to improve the patient’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive healing.

Pet Therapy or Animal-Assisted Activities

Some of the journals or health websites call pet therapy or Animal-Assisted Activities (abbreviated as AAA).
Pet therapy is not specifically directed at a particular goal, but can provide opportunities, motivation, education, recreation, or therapy to improve the patient’s quality of life.
Animals used in pet therapy usually come from volunteers who bring their animals which of course have been trained to schools or hospitals.
Animals in pet therapy are used to encourage and help faster recovery in patients who have just gone through surgery or a long treatment period.
In addition to bringing animals to a patient who has just gone through treatment, usually this technique or type is also applied in public places, such as placing a fish aquarium in the waiting room of a hospital or school.

Purpose of Animal Assisted Therapy

Although the role of animals and the way of therapy are different, between animal-assisted therapy and pet therapy have the same goal. Some of the goals of animal-assisted therapy are:

  • Reducing stress levels;
  • Reducing aggression or anger;
  • Reduce self-hatred;
  • Increase the patient’s social interaction;
  • Reducing heart rate and blood pressure;
  • Increase the production of endorphins in the body;
  • Increase self-esteem, patience, and trust;
  • Helping patients feel more empowered;
  • Motivate to practice;
  • Increase the desire to participate in an activity;
  • Improve motor skills and joint movement;
  • Improve verbal communication;
  • Reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation;
  • Reduce anxiety.

We already know what the definition of Animal Assisted Therapy is, the types of Animal Assistance Therapy, and the purpose of Animal Assisted Therapy.

After this, we will discuss which patients need therapy, what types of animals can help with therapy, how to prepare before therapy, the risks of Animal Assisted Therapy and how successful the therapy is.

All of that will be divided into 3 parts.

This is a link to the second part and this one is a link to the part 3.

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Important Definitions

April 1, 2022
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Important Definitions

Animal Assisted Therapy ( AAT )

jim and rio visit

Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is goal-directed intervention in which a therapy animal is an integral part of the clinical treatment process.

AAT is directed by a healthcare or human services professional (i.e. Occupational/Physical/Speech Therapists, Social Workers, etc.). AAT is done in the form of group sessions, one-to-one visits, or co-treatment sessions. AAT visit outcomes are documented by the healthcare or human services professional.

AAT providers may work under the direction of healthcare or human services providers, or directly with therapists in client sessions.

With the greatest sorrow, dear Jim died suddenly July 2017. We miss him beyond words, but know he is with Mandy, Rio, Kitty, Pickles, and everybody else we’ve loved and lost.

Animal Assisted Activities ( AAA )

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Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) are educational, entertaining, and motivating activities delivered by specially trained and certified professionals, para-professionals and/or volunteers and their animals who have met specific criteria and have become registered Delta Society© Pet Partner© teams.

Typical Animal Assisted Activities may be entertaining “shows”, visits to schools, or one-to-one visits with patients and residents in healthcare facilities.

Animal Assisted Activities are not necessarily “goal driven”, but are still very therapeutic in nature.

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Sirius Healing Still Going Strong Even On Pandemic!

March 1, 2022
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During a Pandemic… You do what you have to do!

We’re starting three days of virtual, livestream therapy visits at the three Seattle Polyclinic locations.

Sirius Healing’s Canine Therapists

Since the beginning, I have been blessed to have incredible canine partners.

“CB”

“CB”, aka Ch. Kimlyn’s Uptown Girl, joined our pack last year at age 4, all the way from Indiana. In her first year of therapy visits, CB did 150+ scheduled campus visits, and many other appearances.

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Some have crossed the Rainbow Bridge:

“Mandy Lifeboat”

Sirius Healing began with PWD “Mandy Lifeboat” — Roughrider’s Mandy Lifeboat, Am/Can CD; 1998 Western US Therapy Animal of the Year, Delta Society Pet Partner; TDI began our foray into therapy work, and provided visits for nearly 15 years.

“Rio”

“Rio”, Ch. Dacher’s Gaia Criansa Do Rio, Am/Can CD; Delta Society Pet Partner; TDI. Rio was gifted to us by the late Trudie Mischler, and provided therapy visits until he was nearly 15 years old. “Pava-Rio” was famous for his incredible singing talent.

“Kitty”

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“Kitty”, Ch. Stargazer’s Gatinha Do Algarve, RN, ThD, SD; Reading with Rover founding canine; Project Canine Connecting Canines founding canine. Kitty was foundation Dam for Do Gato PWDs; she clocked nearly 19,000 hours in 12+ years of working therapy visits, as well as being my first seizure alert dog.

In Spring 2012, Kitty became the recipient of the first PAWS of Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap County “PAWS Spotlight on Community Hero Pets, Heroic Service Award, Therapy Animal Category” (and People’s Choice Award); Nominee for AHA Hero Dog Award, Therapy Dog 2012; Finalist, American Kennel Club ACE (Award for Canine Excellence), Therapy Dog Category, 2012.

Kitty – Laurie Hardman – Creator/Director COLLEGE DOGS(c) – Seattle, Washington

On 8/26/14 we had to say goodbye to “Kitty”, also known as Ch. Stargazer’s Gatinha Do Algarve, ThD, RN, SD (4/1/99 – 8/26/14).

Our hearts mourn Kitty, but we know she is still with us, both in the form of her daughter Pickles and granddaughter Billie, and in everything we do. Kitty’s earthly body has been sent to the Georgie Project.

Run free Kitty girl!

Billie

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“Billie” — International Ch.

RainCity Do Gato Miss Brown To You, ThD, SD

“Billie”

“Billie” — International Ch. RainCity Do Gato Miss Brown To You, ThD, SD. Billie was born in 2007, and began doing therapy visits as a puppy.

Along with her Aunt “Pickles”, this Kitty granddaughter started College Dogs©. Billie also, like her grandmother Kitty, and her Aunt Pickles, alerted my seizures.

At 11, Billie provided therapy visits multiple times a week, doing nearly every College Dogs© visit, reaching more than 5,000 students annually since 2010.

Since 2016, Billie had been living with cancer.

In her therapy career, Billie devoted more than 10,000 to visiting people. Billie passed suddenly the early morning hours of 8/28/17, leaving a giant hole in our hearts.

Laurie’s canine partners

Roughrider’s Mandy Lifeboat, Am. Can. CD, 1998 Western US Therapy Animal of the Year, Delta Society Pet Partner, TDI.

Mandy crossed the Rainbow Bridge on May 30, 2007 at the age of 16.

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Ch. Do Gato’s Catwoman, ThD, SD, ProjectCANINE Connecting Canines founding dog.

At just 9, our “Pickles” had a long way to go to fill her mother Kitty’s nearly 19,000 hours of therapy visits, but she was well on her way.

Her specialty was the wildly successful, critically acclaimed College Dogs©, visiting thousands of University of Washington students at the various UW Residence Halls, Seattle Pacific University, and a growing number of Colleges and Universities in the Puget Sound area. Like her mother, Kitty, Pickles had been trained to alert to my seizures.

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Int’l. Ch. Raincity Do Gato Miss Brown to You, ThD, SD, Project CANINE Connecting Canines founding dog.

At 5, Billie was our youngest, following her Grandmother Kitty and Aunt Pickles. Billie was our first brown PWD! She had a good career.

Billie’s antics with the now infamous “NO!” button at the UW College Dogs© visits (as well as her willingness to show her “WHISPER” whenever anyone is willing to look) made her the ideal girl to partner with her somewhat more laid back Aunt Pickles on College Dogs© visits. Billie was also trained to alert my seizures.

Our passion of animal-assisted activities and therapy has taken us many places, and has given us incredible opportunities for growth in the field.

From working with Delta Society’s Visiting Scholars (Japan) program, to visiting inmates of a maximum security prison, it has been extremely gratifying to see the growth of professionals understanding the role canines can play in our health and well being.

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As Founder of Sirius Healing, I have been very proud to offer services throughout the past 30 years, including therapy animal visits and training thousands of others how to visit with their pets.

Sirius Healing will continue to do so in partnership with additional therapy testing organization(s).

It’s been an honor to learn and to teach about animal assisted work.

My canine partners have taught me every step of the way.

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Please feel free to peruse my web site, and please e-mail me with any questions you might have. — Laurie Hardman

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All photos above were taken by Stefanie Felix (www.stefaniefelix.com), and are of Kitty visiting residents of Fircrest Residential Habilitation Center, Shoreline, WA.

“Pickles”, Ch. Do Gato’s Catwoman, was Kitty’s special daughter. Pickles showed at the Westminster Kennel Club in 2007 (along with her Do Gato 3rd littermate Dazzle; their brother showed there in 2006, and Dazzle again in 2008).

Pickles clocked in more than 10,000 hours in her therapy career, and along with Billie, founded our wildly successful College Dogs© program in 2010.

Fido is Billie’s cousin (Kitty’s 3x great grandson, Pickles’ 2x great grandson). Fido got his championship in 4 shows when he was ‘just a kid’, and has been doing therapy visits since he was 8 weeks old.

Fido & Billie, painting by Barbara Randall, UK

Fido & Billie, painting by Barbara Randall, UK

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Ch. Kimlyn’s Uptown Girl Seabee, aka CB, ThD

And “new kid”, Seabee, aka CB.

CB joined us May 2018 from Indiana.

She is Ch. Kimlyn’s Uptown Girl.

CB is 4 years old, and new to therapy work.

She squeezed in a few College Dogs© visits before summer break, and has been sharpening her skills doing hospital and other visits through the summer.

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What Is Sirius Healing?

October 24, 2001
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Sirius Healing’s Mission is to improve quality of life for patients and residents of medical and nursing facilities by providing pain-free touch and interaction, and by expanding the array of therapeutic options available to healthcare providers through the use of therapy animals. By providing trained, certified therapy animal teams to facilities, Sirius Healing promotes an  exchange of knowledge and skills between the medical community and animal handlers in the belief that our animals tap a mine of wellness within each of us regardless of our physical limitations.

laurie-and-mandy-visit

Who are we? At Sirius Healing, the human-animal connection is the key. It is our goal to provide animals in healthcare and other settings on a daily basis. By doing so, not only do many patients feel a restored sense of normalcy to the pattern of the their day, but the dogs can assist in patients’ actual therapy with occupational, physical, speech, and other therapists. It is our emphasis on direct service, and training others to provide direct service, that sets us apart.

Important Definitions
Animal-Assisted Therapy ( AAT )

jim-and-rio-visit (2)

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is goal-directed intervention in which a therapy animal is an integral part of the clinical treatment process. AAT is directed by a healthcare or human services professional (i.e. Occupational/Physical/Speech Therapists, Social Workers, etc.). AAT is done in the form of group sessions, one-to-one visits, or co-treatment sessions. AAT visit outcomes are documented by the healthcare or human services professional. AAT providers may work under the direction of healthcare or human services providers, or directly with therapists in client sessions.

Animal-Assisted Activities ( AAA )

Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) are educational, entertaining, and motivating activities delivered by specially trained and certified professionals, para-professionals and/or volunteers and their animals who have met specific criteria and have become registered Delta Society© Pet Partner© teams.

Typical Animal-Assisted Activities may be entertaining “shows”, visits to schools, or one-to-one visits with patients and residents in healthcare facilities. Animal-Assisted Activities are not necessarily “goal driven”, but are still very therapeutic in nature.

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Recent Posts

  • Top 5 Footballers in the World and Their Unique Dogs
  • What is Animal Assisted Therapy? (Part 2 of 3)
  • What is Animal Assisted Therapy? (Part 1 of 3)
  • Important Definitions
  • Sirius Healing Still Going Strong Even On Pandemic!

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