Abington Rehab Center 'Harnesses The Power Of Dogs' In Therapy

By Miriam Markowits

ABINGTON, PA -- Upon entering Brookside Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, visitors are enveloped with a distinctive sense of warmth that goes well beyond the natural sunlight that infuses its premises, and the attentiveness of its staff.

A proud member of Nationwide Healthcare Services, Brookside is ensconced on seven beautifully landscaped acres in the heart of Montgomery County, it’s environment truly unique in the palpable feeling of companionship and effortless rapport between staff, residents – and even their visiting family members.

This easy rapport is not accidental, but rather integral to Brookside’s Mission to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of its rehab clients and residents in an environment that is genuinely caring.

It is also a reflection of the administration’s keen understanding of the latest research indicating the positive impact pets have in the overall wellbeing of Seniors, and the Center’s foresight to include a therapy dog, thus significantly enhancing their efforts to create a “family-home” environment – as opposed to an institutional environment.

Affectionately known as “Abby” to everyone at the facility, her role as a therapy dog encompasses the full spectrum of everyday life at Brookside. “It starts at the very moment of admission”, says Melissa Hallman, NHA, Administrator at Brookside. “Finding yourself in a new environment can be a stressful situation, regardless of age. Yet, when people arrive at Brookside, either as a person recovering from a post-hospital stay or moving in as a new resident, Abby has proven to be a real asset. Living very much in the here and now as all dogs do, Abby’s lack of worry about tomorrow rubs off easily, relaxing our new admissions with her natural display of unconditional affection – never mind being a great ice-breaker."

Known as one of the smartest and most trainable dogs, Abby, a miniature poodle, is the epitome of her breed. She arrived at Brookside as a twelve-week old puppy and attended obedience school until she was eleven months old. A true poodle, Abby became certified as a therapy dog at fourteen months, exhibiting the obedience, rapt attention to her caregivers, and positive response to all displays of affection that this kind of dog is famous for.

Indeed, there is ample evidence that pets can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, increase social interaction and physical activity, and help Seniors remain involved – and learning!

That pets create a sense of companionship is a known fact. What people sometimes miss is the sense of purpose they can generate in Seniors. “Being involved in the care of the pet, yet not bearing the full responsibility of the pet’s wellbeing, adds a sense of structure and purpose to our residents’ daily lives”, says Hallman. “Whether it is their turn to walk Abby, knowing she has an upcoming visit to the groomers, or just knowing her cute little tail will be wagging to greet them every morning, it all translates into added measures of wellbeing”.

Furthermore, one of the biggest benefits to the residents, is having ‘someone’ to take care of, comfortably placing them in the role of caregivers – as opposed to feeling constrained to the role of recipient of care. At the end of the day, Brookside’s residents reap tremendous benefits from knowing that, in one way or another, they too are taking care of another living being.

Image: Howard Zevon Heinze, a mastador, courtesy Justin Heinze.