Category Archives: hearing Assistance

Spreading Holiday Cheer With A Therapy Dog

January 3, 2012

The holidays can be a fun and festive time, but for those who are ill or unhappy, the cheerful days surrounding Thanksgiving, Hanukah, Christmas, and New Years can be especially miserable. Your buddy Charlie makes you smile every day, so why not let him do the same for others. People spending the holidays in the hospital or a nursing home would love to have a visit from a furry friend.

Therapy dog sounds like a serious thing, but it really just means a dog who is well-behaved and can remain calm and patient while people pet him. Charlie would be perfect right? consider him your little furry ball of rented holiday cheer. take him around to bring a smile to the faces of kids in the hospital and the elderly in nursing homes and you will feel pretty cheerful yourself.

Any kind of dog can become a therapy dog. Some are naturally suited to the job. Those that are inherently calm and even-tempered as well as readily affectionate with strangers can easily become certified. Dogs who are affectionate, but a little lacking in self-control have potential, but may need a little training. If Charlie falls in to the latter category, get him a trainer and start to work on keeping him focused while doing a job and remaining calm in the face of something he likes. If he is already calm, you may just want to go ahead and see if he can pass a certification test.

Hospitals and nursing homes are unlikely to let you and Charlie through the doors without some sort of certification. for everyone’s safety, they need to know that he has been adequately prepared for treating patients gently. Your first step will be to find a therapy dog organization near you. there are some national groups and local groups. find out what their requirements are for getting Charlie certified. They may insist that you take a training class or they may let you take the certification test without going through a course. it depends upon the organization.

Some therapy groups will require Charlie to first go through the AKC canine good citizen program. this program will verify that Charlie if friendly with people and dogs, non-aggressive, even-tempered, and has basic good manners. it is not a difficult program to pass, but if Charlie has issues with his self-control, you may need to work with a trainer first.

Where to take Charlie

Once Charlie is certified, has his vest to prove it, and is ready to go, it’s time to find a place to take him. you cannot assume that any hospital or nursing home will be happy to have you. Do some research first and call a few locations to find out where dog therapy is welcome. find out what requirements they have beyond your certification. They may want to see vet records or they may insist that Charlie gets a bath and a nail trimming before each visit.

Giving Back to the Community at the Most Difficult Time of Year

Deciding to become a therapy pair means that you and Charlie have made a choice to bring happiness to those who desperately need it. Visiting with your furry little guy can really make someone’s day. there are many people in hospitals or nursing homes who are suffering from long-term illness, many of whom are also depressed and who have few visitors. there are also those who relate better to animals than people. what Charlie can do for these people, especially around the holidays, is priceless and they will never forget the two of you.

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Dream Dictionary – Negative and Positive Dream Symbols

December 4, 2011

Only the scientific method of dream interpretation accurately translates the meaning of dreams because it deciphers the meaning given to the dream images by the unconscious mind, which is the dream producer. The unconscious mind that produces our dreams has a saintly and perfect nature, while we are basically under-developed primates.

We posses a huge primitive conscience (anti-conscience) which is totally absurd, evil, cruel, and indifferent like an animal. our tiny human conscience is unable to fight against all the absurdity we have inherited into our anti-conscience. we need the guidance of the unconscious mind in our dreams and in our daily reality.

Most dreams present us dangerous situations because our anti-conscience is constantly attacking our conscience.

Here is a simple dream dictionary with the most important dream symbols that indicate danger:

Blood – Blood in dreams represents psychological pain. When there is blood falling out from the dreamer’s head, it represents craziness.

Crab - The dreamer is in a dangerous position because he cannot analyze his/her old traumas. he has to pass through psychotherapy in order to be able to face his mistakes.

Demon – Someone is causing many damages to the dreamer because he/she is controlled by his anti-conscience. The demon is an evil person from his environment.

Dizziness – When the dreamer is dizzy in a dream, this means that he will be seriously attacked by his/her anti-conscience.

Falling from height - The dreamer will have to face serious deceptions.

Flying in the air like a bird - The dreamer is far from reality.

Sea – The sea represents craziness.

Shark – The shark represents schizophrenia.

Snake – a bad even will correct one of the dreamer’s mistakes.

Spider – if the dreamer won’t act fast and correct a mistake he/she will have to face serious consequences in the future.

Rat - a person of the opposite sex will take advantage of the dreamer.

Teeth falling out - The dreamer is making serious mistakes that are ruining his/her life.

In the beginning of the dream therapy you will have dreams with negative dream symbols because you have to transform your personality. you also have to learn how to protect yourself from the cruel world. therefore, you will have nightmares, bad dreams, and warnings.

You have to eliminate your wild and evil nature, so that you may have dreams with positive dream symbols. you also must learn how to read people’s minds and understand who everyone around you really is.

Here are a few dream symbols that indicate progress and evolution:

A big watch - The dreamer arrived to an important point, or started an important mission.

Beautiful and peaceful bird - Good news for the dreamer. Many times the beautiful and peaceful bird indicates that the dreamer will meet a special person.

Diamonds – The dreamer found wisdom.

Flying by plane - The dreamer has attained a higher level of knowledge, after abandoning many misconceptions and old ideas.

Key – When a dreamer has a dream about a key this means that he/she will find an important solution for a complicated problem.

Money - Money in dreams represents psychical energy, good mood, and courage.

Rain – The dreamer found an important solution to one of his/her problems.

Sunlight – The sunlight represents the real truth, while the light of a lamp represents the false truth created by the human hypocrisy and the camouflage of superficiality.

Swan – The dreamer will attain a higher level of consciousness.

Wearing sun glasses - The dreamer is rewarded for seeing the real truth.

Most dream symbols are negative because we inherit too much craziness into our anti-conscience. however, as we follow dream therapy, we eliminate our dangerous animal nature. then, we have the chance to completely evolve and find real happiness.

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Information on Therapy Dog Training

November 5, 2011

Previous to starting therapy dog training it is imperative that you are aware of the reason behind the training as a whole and the benefits of a correctly trained therapy dog. The responsibility of the therapy dog is to offer companionship, comfort to patients in hospitals, nursing homes and medical centres and to aid in rehabilitation process, as they attend schools and library’s to listen to children read etc. As well as being taught basic obedience training they need a (CGC) certificate, (canine good citizen test). Prior to entering a therapy dog program they are obliged to meet Therapy Dog International requirements.

Choose a dog with a good temperament and a calm friendly personality, with signs of good natural social skills. do not select a dog that shows no awareness on what goes on around them or hyperactive dogs. these dogs must be house broken and must learn to come stay and sit, and approach people in a mannerly fashion. Use a positive but gentle reinforcement to teach these basic skills. Strangers should be able to approach you without the dog being over protective so teach them that it’s ok to shake hands with strangers etc. Walk your dog in a variety of public places and outdoor events such as parades carnivals or local flea market. Eliminate any bad behaviour that is not acceptable barking, jumping, sniffing, growling and licking. Continue regular veterinary check-ups to maintain the health and appearance, this will serve in a good way when attending the (CGC) examinations and will be less likely to be shy and resist. To pass the CGC test your dog must prove that they can walk with you on a loose leash without pulling and in full control, teach your dog to heal while on the leash you will need a (plain buckle collar or a harness type leash)

With all this in mind it is imperative that you and your dog bond with each other. Although there is work involved you really need to have fun and relaxation together. Take your dog to the park to learn to play well with others, however only let them show a casual acquaintance with other dogs.

It is important that a therapy dog does not respond negatively to children, if the child tugs at his/her ear that he does not like.

Do not make your dog stay in positions that they may not like for example-in the down position for long periods.

The dog must learn to let strangers pet him/her.

The dog cannot break position or show signs of shyness to pass the CGC test.

Your dog will be tested by an AKC canine good citizen evaluator before a designation of therapy dog is given.

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Therapy Dogs – Fascinating Facts

November 2, 2011

There is no greater therapy than the love of a dog. Everyday around the world millions of people experience the amazing bond between humans and dogs. This is what the basis of what is becoming such a powerful mode of therapy for many people in long term health care facilities, nursing homes and hospitals.

Animals have been recognized as being a positive influence when it comes to lowering blood pressure, improving feelings of loneliness, reducing depression and raising self esteem. Some studies have shown people who are around dogs have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than someone who is not exposed to a dog. The fact is, dogs have a calming and therapeutic effect on people.

When a dog visits a health care facility, everyone benefits from their presence. The residence and/or patients, the staff as well as the visitors are affected by the special magic these furry friends bring to their facility. Life in a long term care facility can be lonely and often boring for some residence. a visit from a dog breaks up the daily routine and these magnificent creatures have an un-caning ability to stimulate the mind in dramatic ways.

Different types of Therapy Dogs

There are two recognizable types of Therapy Dogs. The most common are the dogs that are used for visiting nursing homes, long term health care facilities, hospitals and schools. these dogs are called, Therapeutic Visitation Dogs. The second type is known as Animal Assisted Therapy Dogs . This classification of Therapy Dog is used for people who may have mental or physical illnesses.

Statistics

As of 2007, there are approximately 18,000 Therapy Dogs registered with an organization called Therapy Dogs International. This volunteer organization is dedicated to regulating, testing and registration of therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers for the purpose of therapeutic visitations. In Canada, the most recognizable organization which evaluates and tests potential Therapy Dogs is called St. Johns Ambulance. In 2007, this volunteer organization had 2300 dogs registered in their program and they visited an estimated 68,000 patients which translated into approximately 146,000 volunteer hours. there are a number of facilities around the country that also specializes in training people and their family dog to become a Therapy Dog team.

How to recognize a Therapy Dog

These dogs are usually recognized by a colored vest, cape or jacket with a special patch sewn onto the garment. In Canada, the St. Johns Ambulance Therapy Dog program uses a special bandana and an identification card which indicates the dog has been tested and certified. each province or state may have their own method of identifying a Therapy Dog team. It may include many of the fore mentioned apparel or ID cards and/or the handler may wear a special vest or shirt indicating they are a qualified team.

Access Laws

A Therapy Dog that is recognized as a Therapeutic Visitation Dog does not have the same access privileges as the Animal Assisted Therapy Dogs. In the United States, check with your local government officials or visit the American’s With Disabilities Act website. In Canada, visit the Blind Persons Rights Act or the Canadian Human Rights Commission website.

How You Can Make a Difference

You can make a huge difference in the lives of many people, by becoming a volunteer Therapy Dog handler. You will learn and appreciate the special bond you have with your own dog and at the same time you will be contributing to the health and well being of many people who could use the positive influence of a dog. Contact your local training or testing facility to find out how you and your canine companion could make a difference as a Therapy Dog team.

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Government Assistance For Single Mothers

June 25, 2011

It is difficult being a single mother. You need to look after a handful of things such as paying for the rent, education and basic necessities vital to your livelihood as well as your child’s. But there are always ways to make things less difficult and one of them is by getting government assistance for single mothers. to get started, drop by educational and/or government establishments, be meticulous with your proposals, taking action, and utilizing the World Wide Web.

Drop By your Schools

Go to your high school and visit the guidance counselor for advice on government assistance for single moms. Figure out if your school or local college provides financial aid that assists in obtaining government grants. Schools usually offer financial aid through the government. But you won’t always get paid for all expenses. sometimes, you will only get partial payments.

If you are unable to get free or full financial aid, you can apply for a federal student loan. the advantage of the federal student loan is that they have lower interest rates. the government in this case pays the interest for you under the condition that you stay enrolled in your school.

Visit Government Establishments

You may be given government assistance for single mothers by the State Department for Higher Education. You can find answers to your questions about applications and accessible programs as well. there are 900 existing programs in the United States that may give out free applications. One of the best things about choosing government assistance over private assistance is that you can get a grant regardless of your race/ethnicity, religious background, educational background, or marital status.

Be Meticulous in your Writing

To obtain government assistance for single mothers, write comprehensively. Getting full financial aid counts on what the government thinks you need. for instance, write about how many kids you have, your exact and current financial situation (whether you are refinancing your home or education), and what you are currently doing to keep your finances going.

Sitting around isn’t going to help. there is sure to be Government assistance for single mothers in your area. Watch out for advertisements and start calling agencies now.

Utilize the World Wide Web

You can save a lot of time by using the Internet to obtain government assistance for single mothers. there are basic guidelines and general information on grants on the Internet. You can join discussion forums in websites and fill up their free application forms.

You may obtain information on government assistance for single mothers from the U.S. Department of Education, the WIC program for women, infants and children, County Social Services Department, and the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistant. all these can be found over the Internet by keying in their names. Application tools are available where you are able to swap and search for information on Federal grant programs.

Government assistance for single mothers is available in all states. Finding one can make your life as a single mother a lot less complicated. for best results, simply follow the tips provided.

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