Initial+Proposal


 * Driving** **Question**: How does animal-assisted therapy benefit patients with Parkinson’s disease? I ask this question because my grandfather is a Parkinson’s patient, and we have quickly learned that there is no actual cure. Instead, our family must work to keep him as happy and healthy as possible to give him the longest life possible. Parkinson’s is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that often impairs the patient’s motor skills and speech. It is characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, and a slowing of physical movement. To slow this process, the patient must remain active. However, it is often dangerous for the patient to perform heavy tasks. They need alternative methods to stay active, without risking further harm to them. I want to research the effects and benefits of animal-assisted therapy on these patients, because it seems like a very beneficial solution. Animal-assisted therapy is designed to improve the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive functioning of the patient, as well as provide educational and motivational effectiveness for participants. Without liveliness or encouragement, such as the energy from the pets, it is incredibly difficult for the patients to stay motivated to continue, since they know there is no turning around.

After completing my research and working with my topic expert, who will hopefully be the owner of “Comfort Caring Canines,” I want to share my knowledge. I hope to do this through instruction. Armstrong, my six-year-old dog, is in the process of becoming a therapy dog, since he no longer leads a normal life after getting hit by a car. Just like my grandfather, he needs a new positive outlet in his life. I want to encourage and teach others to have their pets certified. After the certification process, I will work with various students, as well as Armstrong, to set up visitation days for local medical centers. I want to bring together Parkinson’s patients (and possible others) from places such as the Keystone State Hospice, Abington Memorial Hospital, the United Cerebral Palsy Center, and others. Throughout the entire process, I hope to make a video explaining my project. The video and the training days will make up the hands-on portion of my project.

The main sources that I will be referring to throughout the project, aside from books and internet sources, are the multiple animal-assisted therapy and Parkinson’s clinics in the area. One of the groups I will be working with is called the Comfort Caring Canines. It is a dedicated group of volunteers who share the love of their canine companions — trained and tested therapy dogs — with others. Another organization that will be critical in obtaining information and finding the patients who will receive the therapy is the National Parkinson Foundation. They have a branch that works out of Chestnut Hill Hospital.

The greatest time consumer will be the actual certification process. To register, the trainer needs to be provided with information regarding the follows: annual check-up attested to by your veterinarian within the past year, mandatory rabies vaccine, an initial series of core Distemper, Hepatitis, and Parvovirus Vaccinations, a negative Fecal Exam must have been done within the past year, and a negative Heartworm test must have been done within the past year unless there is no heartworm present in the area or if the dog is on preventative medication. For the actual registration test, dogs must be a minimum of one year old to be tested, the dog must be healthy, and the handler must be of good character. The dog and the handler are tested together.

The greatest problem I see myself facing is the time restraint issue. The certification process may be lengthy, and I need to be completed in time to do my hands-on project. It’s a good thing that I am well on my way to certification!