Animal-Assisted Therapy Doggone Effective

PINEHURST, N.C.  -- Just a few weeks ago, Freddie Cockerem couldn't walk at all.

But on Thursday, he walked the dog.

Cockerem, a 70-year-old rehabilitation patient at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, was taking part in one of the hospital's newest programs -- animal-assisted therapy.

The program uses specially trained dogs to help patients strengthen their bodies through seemingly simple exercises, such as walking the dog or brushing its coat.

Cockerem's goal Thursday was to work on his balance. His partner in the job was Abby, a 2-year-old white Labrador retriever owned and managed by volunteer Kathy Constantino.

"Come on Abby," Cockerem said, leaning on his walker and holding Abby's leash. "Come here, baby. You doin' all right."

It was the first time Cockerem, who was recovering from spinal surgery, had worked with a dog, he said.

"I thought it would be a good experience," he said. "I got a dog at home, but he don't take to walkin' on a leash."

But Abby is no ordinary dog.

Not anymore, at least. Abby, and Constantino's other dog, Tess, are certified with the Delta Society, an organization that registers and trains people and pets to administer rehabilitative services.

The hospital is one of two in the state with a certified animal-assisted therapy program, where dogs actually take an active part in the patients' physical rehabilitation.

And while some health care facilities have volunteers who bring in dogs for emotional comfort, Moore Regional has taken it a step further, said Amber Parke Chalker, an occupational therapist at the hospital.

The Delta Society-registered dogs help patients perform therapeutic exercises -- something other volunteer dogs aren't registered for.

Granted, many of the exercises are things the dogs like -- such as chasing balls and being brushed and petted -- but the dogs still have to pass skills and aptitude tests to qualify for certification.