Therapy Dogs and Alzheimer's

What are pet therapies, and why are they important in the world of Alzheimer's? Washington Therapy Dogs' manager Marlina Velasco-Barker joins Suzanne for September's conversations about the Walk to End Alzheimer's.

Marlina says, "I saw some photos of Suzanne and her dog Whidbey going to a senior community on a Facebook group, and I was so touched by that. I started to volunteer in Seattle at a local community. It all came together, I got a dog, she's a puppy. I saw those photos, and saw the positive impact they had on the residents, and bam, I'm doing that!"

When she visits a memory care facility, they do one-on-ones with her dog, but mostly does groups. Marlina says, "We go in and bring our cadre, other volunteers, another two or three and their dogs, and there are maybe 30 residents, all in one room, maybe an atrium. So we approach them. And the looks on their faces! I cry a lot, tears of joy. Their transformation, facial expressions, their energy level – and they're talking!"

To collaborate or learn more about dog training in the U.S., visit watherapydogs.com. Visit alz.org/walk and enter your zip code to find the Walk nearest you to register or donate. Check out alz.org to learn more. 

Check out our affiliate podcast Alzheimer’s Speaks.

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