Published: Monday, February 12, 2007
Yellow retriever lends a paw at therapy sessions
Desi, a certified therapy dog, sees 10 to 15 Easter Seals clients a week.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN — Desi, a 2-year-old male yellow retriever, is the newest member of the therapy team at Easter Seals of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties.
Desi, trained by Canine Companions for Independence in Coitsville, has been on board since the end of December 2006.
He's made a big difference for some of the 10 to 15 adult and juvenile clients, said Lisa Harman, Easter Seals spokeswoman.
Admittedly, some of the children are afraid of such a big dog — Desi weighs 65 pounds and is about 2 feet tall — but "we've seen a 360 degree improvement in other children," Harman said.
Helping
One of Desi's first therapy sessions was with Madissyn Zenbower of Garrettsville, who was diagnosed with developmental delays and has received physical therapy at Easter Seals since she was 9 months old.
Being a typical 2-year-old, Madissyn had become "very squirrelly" during her therapy sessions with Lisa Pirock, Easter Seals physical therapy assistant, Harman said. But when Desi was introduced into Madissyn's therapy sessions, it made a big difference.
Desi responds to a number of commands, such as come, sit, shake and whisper — when the dog makes a noise that is not a bark. It's sort of like talking, Harman said.
Now, Madissyn and other children take their new-found friend by the leash and demonstrate his tricks to people at the center, at the same time performing coordination and other developmental exercises without even realizing it's part of their therapy, Harman said.
Training
Desi underwent 18 months of training by Diane Burns and Tony Sprout before he was certified through Therapy Dogs International.
It wasn't only Desi that needed training, Harman said: Easter Seal therapists also needed to learn how to work with Desi to help their clients during therapy sessions.
Desi, who comes to Easter Seal centers three days a week, usually sees 10 to 15 clients a week. In the short time he's been at Easter Seals, Desi has demonstrated his capabilities of helping children with disabilities and special needs, Harman said.
Easter Seals is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people with disabilities or special needs to live with equality, dignity and independence.
Easter Seals of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties offers services at these locations: 299 Edwards St., Youngstown; 721 Boardman-Poland Road, Boardman; 855 Howland-Wilson Road, Howland; and St. Rose School, 61 Main St. S.E., Girard.
alcorn@vindy.com
Monday, February 12, 2007
Desi, a certified therapy dog, sees 10 to 15 Easter Seals clients a week.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN — Desi, a 2-year-old male yellow retriever, is the newest member of the therapy team at Easter Seals of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties.
Desi, trained by Canine Companions for Independence in Coitsville, has been on board since the end of December 2006.
He's made a big difference for some of the 10 to 15 adult and juvenile clients, said Lisa Harman, Easter Seals spokeswoman.
Admittedly, some of the children are afraid of such a big dog — Desi weighs 65 pounds and is about 2 feet tall — but "we've seen a 360 degree improvement in other children," Harman said.
Helping
One of Desi's first therapy sessions was with Madissyn Zenbower of Garrettsville, who was diagnosed with developmental delays and has received physical therapy at Easter Seals since she was 9 months old.
Being a typical 2-year-old, Madissyn had become "very squirrelly" during her therapy sessions with Lisa Pirock, Easter Seals physical therapy assistant, Harman said. But when Desi was introduced into Madissyn's therapy sessions, it made a big difference.
Desi responds to a number of commands, such as come, sit, shake and whisper — when the dog makes a noise that is not a bark. It's sort of like talking, Harman said.
Now, Madissyn and other children take their new-found friend by the leash and demonstrate his tricks to people at the center, at the same time performing coordination and other developmental exercises without even realizing it's part of their therapy, Harman said.
Training
Desi underwent 18 months of training by Diane Burns and Tony Sprout before he was certified through Therapy Dogs International.
It wasn't only Desi that needed training, Harman said: Easter Seal therapists also needed to learn how to work with Desi to help their clients during therapy sessions.
Desi, who comes to Easter Seal centers three days a week, usually sees 10 to 15 clients a week. In the short time he's been at Easter Seals, Desi has demonstrated his capabilities of helping children with disabilities and special needs, Harman said.
Easter Seals is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help people with disabilities or special needs to live with equality, dignity and independence.
Easter Seals of Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties offers services at these locations: 299 Edwards St., Youngstown; 721 Boardman-Poland Road, Boardman; 855 Howland-Wilson Road, Howland; and St. Rose School, 61 Main St. S.E., Girard.
alcorn@vindy.com
Monday, February 12, 2007
Desi, a 2-year-old male yellow retriever, is the newest member of the therapy team at Easter Seals of Mahoning, Trumbull...
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