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‘Stormy is the oldest of the pack and, as the mum, she is trained to work with children with cancer. She’s very placid and soft natured and loves a tummy rub.’
‘Indigo, now named Binny Boo ‘has these piercing blue eyes that seem to look into your soul. She is a bereavement dog and provides solace in times of grief.’
companion could bring to the sick, particularly those with chronic conditions.
The atmosphere changes in the room when a dog arrives – never mind four – and this can bring much-needed distraction from any symptoms or issues a person may be burdened with. Stroking a dog lowers blood pressure and the heart rate. It can also increase serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain which improves mood and relieves stress and anxiety.
The huskies also provide sensory stimulation, particularly for those with dementia. “Someone with dementia may not remember what they last ate, but they can remember the fluffy dogs,” Adrian says.
Since starting out over two years ago, Adrian now works with around 800 care homes across the country to offer husky therapy to the elderly and those with dementia.
He has also worked with each dog to develop its own therapeutic specialism to extend their service to more and more people from age three to 103.
Stormy is the oldest of the pack and, as the mum, she is trained to work with children with cancer. She’s very placid and soft natured and loves a tummy rub. Stormy is the only dog to have bi-coloured eyes, one icy blue and the other fiery orange, which the children are fascinated by. “She was going to be a Cadaver search dog but she pre-empts commands and thinks she knows better about what people want and need which sadly isn’t a good trait in a search environment.”
Indigo is now called Binny Boo after a child called it her and it stuck. She’s the alpha and most definitely in charge. The two boys have a floppy left ear from where Stormy would drag them round as pups – but BB wouldn’t allow her mum to do the same to her.
She has similar markings to Stormy with the same dark fur around her head. But she has these piercing blue eyes that seem to look into your soul. She is a bereavement dog and provides solace in times of grief.
Next up is Thor, the most playful of the awesome foursome, who works with people with developmental disorders such as autism and down’s syndrome. Thor Paws is a calming influence on everyone he meets and a real gentle
Next up is Thor, the most playful of the awesome foursome, who works with people with developmental disorders such as autism and down’s syndrome’
‘Finishing off the fluffy line-up is Thunder, the champion boy who works with a wide range of emotional and behavioural disorders plus end of life patients.’
‘‘Since starting out over two years ago, Adrian now works with around 800 care homes across the country to offer husky therapy to the elderly and those with dementia.’’
giant who just loves to be cuddled. Finishing off the fluffy line-up is Thunder, the champion boy who works with a wide range of emotional and behavioural disorders plus end of life patients.
In his role in palliative care, Thunder is allowed on the bed to lie next to a patient. His breathing changes and slows down which helps a person forget about the worries or pain for a moment. “He’s like a human in the way that he feels emotions like we would, particularly if one of the end of life patients passes away. We’ve been there for seven people leaving this earth which can be draining for both man and dog.
“Thunder understands what has happened and we usually have a cry in the van afterwards. When we come home, he wants to be alone for a good few hours then he comes into my office for a cuddle before going to see the other dogs.” He is a therapy dog for a school in Wakefield which Adrian visits with Thunder once a week to see the 600 children.
Thunder is also the only dog prescribed in a medical care package by the NHS and local CCG. He is currently written into 27-year-old Ben Fyfield’s
medical notes as part of his physiotherapy treatment. Ben suffers with a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome as well as cerebral palsy and scoliosis.
“He doesn’t use his left arm usually, but he does to stroke Thunder. It’s physio without Ben even realising it. His speech is limited but he can say Thunder Dog and his face lights up when we visit. They’ve built up such a strong connection over the last year which is fantastic to see,” Adrian says.
Thunder was even asked to lead a funeral procession late last year.
All four dogs work really hard to make people smile throughout the week. However, due to the vast amount of work he can participate in, Thunder alone pays for all four dogs’ food and healthcare bills.
But Therapy Huskies is of course a team effort and, as a collective, the furry four might make five care home visits for a fluffover, two private visits
Thunder on a school viisit
aroundtownmagazine.co.uk 5 Thunder with Ben
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