therapy-animals – In Brief Legal Writing Services

This Never Gets Old: Connecticut Company Provides Animal Therapy For Seniors

Posted on April 22, 2019 by alexb2448

This vintage typwriter is our featured image.

To bring an animal into someone’s home and to see the smile on their face really does bring a joy to us. — Nick D’Aquila

As many of you know, I’m a big fan of starting the week on a positive note. So why not write a post about a Connecticut company that’s relaunching an animal therapy program for senior citizens? I mean, let’s be honest — it sure beats writing about politics. So here goes.

Introducing Marlow

According to published reports, a Meriden, Connecticut-based senior care company recently welcomed a new staff member. Her name is Marlow. She’s a blonde and she’s got a great smile. She’s also got floppy ears, a wet nose, four paws and a tail.

In Brief Legal Writing Services mascot, Eli the cat.

Yes, Marlow is a dog. To be accurate, she is a 10-month-old Golden Retriever. And she’s got a very important job to do.

“To bring an animal into someone’s home and to see the smile on their face really does bring a joy to us,” Nick D’Aquila, whose family owns and operates Assisted Living Services, told the media.

A big job for a little pup

Apparently, Marlow is following in some pretty big paw prints. D’Aquila’s mother Sharron, introduced the company’s first therapy dog, Sunny, to clients several years ago. And they loved her.

“She would do it free of charge and bring the dog there…and he would pretty much bring a smile to the client’s face,” said Nick D’Aquila. “Continuing my mother’s legacy in visiting clients as well as having her join is a great feeling.”

Sadly, lymphoma claimed Sunny’s life five years ago.

The good news is that Marlow is well on her way to bringing the same joy to people as her predecessor. She has already in training to become a Registered Pet Partners Therapy Animal and should soon be available to visit clients upon request.

The importance of pet therapy for an aging population

As reflected in U.S. Census Bureau data, more than half a million people age 65 and older called Connecticut home in 2016 and accounted for approximately roughly 16 percent state’s population. That’s slightly more than reflected in the U.S. census data from 2000, when approximately 13 percent of Connecticut resident were in that age bracket.

As I recently blogged about, a senior citizen survey conducted by the University of Michigan revealed that owning a pet or interacting with an animal lessens stress, anxiety and feelings of loneliness. Among the 2,000 participants dogs were the most common pet.

Additional research has shown that just petting animals provided mental health benefits to seniors.

“It’s increasing interactions with the seniors and making them more sociable,” D’Aquila noted. “I think the interactions with the therapy dog brings out the inner emotions that people are holding inside that they don’t really know how to express.”

Personally, I know exactly what I’d say. Good dog, Marlow. Very good dog!

Alexandra Bogdanovic is a paralegal and the owner/founder of In Brief Legal Writing Services. She is also an award-winning author and journalist whose interests include animal welfare and animal law. All opinions expressed in this forum are her own. Any information pertaining to legal matters is intended solely for general audiences and should not be regarded as legal advice.

Curbing the use of comfort pets: an emotional issue

Posted on November 25, 2016 by alexb2448

Earlier this year, I teamed up with a client and one of her colleagues to co-research and co-write an article about the use of Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals (ESAs).

The article appeared “Animal Law” edition of the Maryland Bar Journal. You can find it here. Because it’s a fairly long piece, I totally understand if you don’t have time to read the whole thing. In fact, I’d be happy to hit the high points for you.

Eli, the In Brief Legal Writing Services mascot. — In Brief Legal Writing Services mascot Eli catching up on the latest news. Photo by Alexandra Bogdanovic

Basically, we began by describing Services Animals and ESAs, and discussed the rules and regulations governing their use. We also touched on some of the controversies stemming from their use. Most importantly, we shared ideas about how to accommodate everyone’s needs without resorting to costly and ineffective litigation.

Little did I know how timely that article would turn out to be. Since its publication this summer, I have seen countless stories about the same topics in the mainstream media. In fact, I found this one just a couple of weeks ago. It’s about someone taking a duck on a plane.

Yes, you heard me. A duck! I’m sorry. That’s utterly ridiculous. I’ve heard of people being allowed to take service dogs on planes (and even that causes problems sometimes). But a duck?

Yes, it sounds crazy. But apparently it’s not all that unusual. In fact, if a passenger has proper documentation, it seems like almost anything goes.

“We have seen service monkeys, even comfort pigs,” TSA spokesperson Mike McCarthy told the media. “There really isn’t much that would surprise our officers,” he added.

There’s no doubt that service animals, Emotional Support Animals and therapy animals help people cope with and overcome serious physical and psychological issues. And I suppose there’s no rule that says that a service animal, Emotional Support Animal or therapy animal must be a dog or cat. Horses have “worked” as therapy animals for years.

I can’t say for sure but I would venture to guess that most reasonable, open-minded people don’t mind if someone travels with a service animal or ESA — as long as there is a legitimate need. From what I’ve seen and heard, troubles arise when it is obvious that the person with the service animal or ESA abuses the rules.

Beyond that, there are other legitimate concerns. As someone who was once horribly allergic to dogs, cats (and just about every other animal you could possibly imagine), I am not to sure how I would have felt about being cooped up on an airplane with a dog nearby.

There are also people who are afraid of some animals — especially dogs. Who knows. Perhaps there are some people who are equally afraid of pigs, ducks, lizards and any other assortment of animals permitted on public transportation these days. Is it really fair to subject them to emotional distress just to accommodate someone else’s needs?

For the purposes of this blog, that is a rhetorical question. But it also warrants serious thought.

Unfortunately, there is no easy answer.

As long as people love animals — and as long as service animals, ESAs and therapy animals continue to help their human counterparts cope with physical and psychological challenges — the debate will continue.

Act would allow critters to comfort kids in court

Posted on March 7, 2016February 26, 2016 by alexb2448

Founder/owner of In Brief Legal Writing Services, Alexandra Bogdanovic. Photo by N. Bogdanovic

If a proposed amendment currently wending its way through Connecticut’s legislative process doesn’t receive sweeping approval, it will simply reinforce what a lot of us already think about most politicians: that they are heartless (expletives deleted) without an ounce of compassion.

The act in question would “allow the use of therapy animals to provide comfort to children who are testifying in a criminal prosecution” of cases in which they have been assaulted, sexually assaulted or abused. As presented it would apply only to children age 12 and younger.

If the change is actually made, “a volunteer team consisting of a therapy animal and a registered handler” as defined by law will be among the select group of people permitted to remain in the room while the child is testifying. The new rule, which would take effect this October, would also allow the therapy animal and handler to sit near the child as long as they didn’t block the view of the defendant or judge.

To me this is a “no-brainer.” A courtroom can be a big, scary, intimidating place — even for an adult. The possibility of testifying about a traumatic experience can be daunting for adults … just imagine how frightening it is for kids. Honestly. How would you feel if you were just a little kid who had been raped or molested or beaten and then you had to face that person in court?

Now think about how you’d feel if you were a little kid in that situation and you had a therapy animal (most likely a dog) that you really liked and felt safe with close by.

It’s a proven fact that interacting with animals helps people relax. It’s also a proven fact that therapy animals can help children cope with and overcome tremendous obstacles.

I should know. It’s something I’ve witnessed personally while volunteering at therapeutic horseback riding programs in Connecticut and Virginia. Kids who were grumpy when they arrived were happier by the time they left. Kids who had a hard time expressing themselves at home or in school mastered the verbal signals needed to control their ponies.

Of course that’s not to say that therapy horses belong in Connecticut courtrooms. But there’s absolutely no reason whatsoever why dogs and other small therapy animals shouldn’t be allowed to do what they are so adept at — providing love and reassurance when it’s needed most.

New year, new laws

Posted on January 8, 2016January 2, 2016 by alexb2448

“The AKC was proud to support this important legislation.” – American Kennel Club

A brand new year always brings changes – some of which are good and some of which we can almost certainly do without. Among them are new laws, some of which affect all of us and some that affect only those of us who live in, visit or travel through certain areas.

In any case, the new rules always get their share of ink and generate plenty of conversation. And that makes for copious blog fodder. Have no fear, I’m hardly about to discuss, or even list, every single law that took effect January 1. In this post, I’ll focus on just one – an act changing the New York State social services law regarding victims of domestic violence and their pets.

Black and white photograph of New York Police Department barriers taken by Alexandra Bogdanovic — NYPD barriers. Photo by Alexandra Bogdanovic

The authorized amendment allows those in need of refuge to bring their service or therapy animals to emergency shelters. You can view the full text of the bill backed by the American Kennel Club that was ultimately signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo here.

On its website, the AKC said it made sense to support the legislation.

“Victims of domestic violence are in a vulnerable and frightening situation, and the practical assistance and comfort that a service/therapy animal provides can be essential,” the organization said. Furthermore, the AKC said that knowing they won’t have to leave their animals behind makes it easier for victims of domestic violence to leave dangerous situations.

For more information about the AKC’s support for the new law and related issues, click here.