FOR THESE DOGS IT ’ S HEAL , NOT HEEL
LEONIE WAGNER witnessed the healing bond between humans and animals when she joined a visit to a school for children with special learning needs by the nonprofit organisation TOP Dogs
Tails are wagging in the parking area of the Casa do Sol School in a northern suburb in Johannesburg. Six therapy dogs wait patiently, their tails whipping back and forth with anticipation as they eagerly nuzzle and sniff one another. Nessa, a black labrador, leads the way down the corridor to the outdoor play area where three groups of children with varying degrees of physical and intellectual disabilities wait in anticipation for the pups to arrive.
In one corner is a group of wheelchairbound children with cerebral palsy. In their midst is the youngest group, between six and seven years old, most of whom have never interacted with dogs. In the furthest corner is the senior class.
“Inja, inja, woof woof,” shouts one boy as he hides behind his teacher. Another girl points at the dog Wallace and stands on the bench as a group of mute children in wheelchairs rock back and forth.
The school, based in Linden, caters for children with special learning needs from the age of six to 21. We joined a group of volunteers and their dogs who are part of the nonprofit organisation TOP Dogs.
TOP Dogs, or “Touch Our Pets”, is a dedicated group of volunteers who bring warmth and comfort through the healing presence of therapy dogs. The organisation began with a simple but powerful idea: that the unconditional love of dogs could make a tangible difference in people’s lives. It was founded in 2008 by a group of passionate dog lovers who recognised the positive impact therapy dogs could have on individuals facing various challenges.
The founders were inspired by international examples of therapy dog programmes and saw a need to create something similar in South Africa. They believe therapy dogs offer emotional support and companionship to those experiencing loneliness, stress or hardship.
Starting small, with a handful of dedicated volunteers and their well-trained dogs, TOP Dogs began visiting local hospitals, schools and care homes. The impact was immediate and heartwarming. Patients, pupils and seniors all responded positively to the calming presence of the dogs. This initial success fuelled the organisation’s growth, attracting more volunteers and expanding the scope of its work. The organisation has grown significantly, extending its services across Johannesburg, Pretoria, Jeffrey’s Bay, Gqeberha and Cape Town.
Wendy Carter and her labrador Luna visit old age homes, schools, hospitals and rehabilitation centres. “It’s one way of giving back,” she says. “You go to retirement homes and you see them and they see the dogs and they’re just so happy. I also enjoy the rehab outreaches because it’s doing something physically, it’s people learning to walk again and then they walk with the dogs.
“It’s rehab for them but it’s a nicer form of walking with the dogs. I’ve been to visits where the person is in a wheelchair and then at the end of the visit they could manage to walk a short distance, and being with the dog makes it special for them.”
The effects of TOP Dogs’ visits are profound. It’s not just about the adorable dogs it’s about the joy and relief they bring. Studies have consistently shown that interacting with animals can lower blood pressure, reduce stress and anxiety, and ease feelings of loneliness and depression. When a therapy dog enters a room, there’s an immediate shift in atmosphere. Faces light up, voices soften and a sense of calm takes over, which is exactly what happens at Casa do Sol School when the therapy dogs visit.
A young boy with cerebral palsy, sitting in a specialised chair, catches sight of golden fur and bright eyes. The boy’s gaze, often distant, slowly focuses on the dog. The dog, named Bailey, moves closer, his nose nudging the boy’s hand with gentle encouragement. With the help of a teacher, the boy’s tentative touch quickly turns into a confident stroke, and a small smile forms on his lips.
Bailey qualified as a therapy dog in February last year. The dogs go through a lengthy process of evaluations and observations together with their handlers. After the handler does three visits alone without their dog, the dog then joins on a probationary period for six visits before qualifying as a therapy dog.
Jan Benvie and her dog Bailey, who usually do visits in Pretoria, have joined the Johannesburg team for the visit at Casa do Sol. Jan jokes about how Bailey doesn’t mind the visits to old age homes, but she’s noticed that he’s better with children.
“We’ve had times where there are 12 children cuddling him at once,” Jan says. “A moment ago, one of the teachers took one boy’s sock off and put his foot on Bailey so he could feel him, and the little boy’s eyes lit up and he smiled. It’s those little moments that make it worthwhile.”
A six-year-old girl with Down syndrome watches her classmates brush some of the dogs. But it’s Wallace who catches her eye. She apprehensively reaches out to pet him, her fingers brushing his fur with increasing ease. Wallace’s slow tail wag and gentle presence seemed to put her at ease, her giggle spreading like a ripple through the playground. The other children watch, intrigued, as Wallace moves from one to another, his calm eyes inviting them to connect. Up next, the children get to walk the dogs, holding their leashes and leading them or in some cases being led by the dogs around the playground.
Wallace is the newest recruit, having qualified two weeks ago, while Orlando, a golden retriever, has been a therapy dog for six weeks. The more senior of the pups is Nessa, who first joined TOP Dogs in 2018.
Zeenath Sahib, a speech therapist at the school, says the impact these visits have on the children is incredible. “These dogs being trained as therapy dogs are good for these kids, especially the kids with autism and cerebral palsy that we have a lot of,” Sahib says.
“We find that the kids come out of their shells. We have a lot of autistic kids who don’t want to interact with anybody, but as soon as the dogs are there they want to interact with the dogs. They’re all smiling now, but generally in the class they might not be very engaged. But we see them come alive with the dogs.”
Laughter and high-pitched shrills echo from the group of children with cerebral palsy who are in wheelchairs. At the centre of this group is the labrador Essex. One boy is feeding her treats and getting some doggie kisses. With each kiss the group’s laughter gets louder. Essex has a way of making everyone laugh. Her playful antics with another young boy who has a rare genetic disorder create a cascade of joy. The boy’s laughter is infectious, spreading through the playground, so much so that Luna also joins.
The children’s delight seem to light up the playground, as if the therapy dogs have unlocked a hidden well of happiness. Moments later Wallace, Bailey and Nessa are taking a break in the corner, drinking water while the other dogs continue to be walked and brushed by the children.
“Each visit is only an hour, that’s how long the dogs can cope. After a visit like today, Luna will sleep for about an hour when we get home even I’m finished when I get home, I also almost want to have a nap,” Carter says.
TOP Dogs understands the power of these moments and works tirelessly to bring them to as many people as possible. The organisation is not just a collection of volunteers and dogs; it’s a community dedicated to making the world a little brighter, one wagging tail at a time.
Their commitment to improving the emotional wellbeing of others is a testament to the remarkable bond between humans and dogs a bond that has the power to heal and transform lives.