More teams required for dog therapy program

Leader says volunteering with program a marvelous experience

Currently there are more opportunities for therapy dog teams to serve than there are teams available, says the program’s leader for the tri-counties.

Martha Cassidy oversees 19 teams servicing Yarmouth, Digby and Shelburne counties.

“Most teams are doing double duty and there are still places we can’t serve, especially in Shelburne County,” she said.

Interested persons must complete an application and evaluation process. Dogs must be one year of age or older, accept friendly strangers, sit calmly for petting, react well to another dog or to distractions (noise, jogger, etc.) and meet several other requirements.

Cassidy says she hopes to hold information sessions in the three counties, possibly in October.

She and her standard poodle, Walker, enjoy volunteering with the organization

“This is the best volunteering I’ve ever done,” she said.

“I never come home that someone hasn’t smiled because we came to see them, or interacted with them. It’s just so rewarding. It’s the only volunteering that I can think of where you actually get a chance to work with your pet. It’s a marvelous experience.”

Facilities that therapy dog teams visit include Nakile Home for Special Care, Villa St. Joseph du Lac, Veterans Place, the alternate level of care unit (ALCU) and the mental health department at Yarmouth Regional Hospital, rehabilitative therapy at Digby General Hospital, as well as Roseway Hospital and Roseway Manor, Bay Side Home in Barrington and NSCC Shelburne.