The Empangeni Dog Club is extremely proud to announce that one of our members, Vivien Howes and her beautiful golden retriever, Bailie, has become the first and only registered Therapy dog in the Zululand area.

Bailie joined the Club as an eight week old pup and has completed his Beginner and Novice training as well as numerous tasks in preparation for his 'Paws for People' assessment. He is an absolute favourite with all who meet him and he is the 'adult canine trainer' to all of the young pups that join the Club 'Puppy School'.

There has been increasing awareness, particularly over the last thirty years, of how canine assisted activities and therapy might be utilized to improve the quality of life, as well as the treatment outcomes, for individuals. Animal Therapy refers to programs in which animals visit patients in hospitals, or nursing homes, providing patients with an opportunity to pet and socialize with a friendly animal and handler. The benefits are absolutely immeasurable with regards to the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of the patients that the dogs visit. It has been proven that animal assisted therapy also assists to help patients reach defined treatment goals. They are used to help normalize situations, socialize, calm and motivate patients. Some populations that have benefited from canine assisted activities and therapy include: nursing home patients, shelter residents, prison inmates, including juvenile delinquents, hospice clients and their families, special education students, including autistic children; and both acute care and rehabilitation hospital patients.

The optimism and happiness a Therapy Dog visit can provide to a patient is one that cannot be measured by a doctor’s instruments or recorded on a patient’s chart. However, it is clear to those who have had the experience of a Therapy Dog visit that a friendly visitor with a wagging tail can make all the difference in the world.

Lesley de Klerk – founder of Paws for People® (Paws for People Therapy Dogs offer Animal Assisted Therapy and Animal Assisted Activity programs)said that she is thrilled to announce that Paws for People® now boasts a brand new unit in the Richards Bay/Empangeni Area. Viv Howes and Bailie passed the American CGC (Canine Good Citizen Test) and the Paws for People® skills and aptitude test with flying colours.

On behalf of all at the Empangeni Dog Club and Paws for People. we would like to congratulate Viv and Bailes on this remarkable achievement. If you would like to have Bailie visit your institution, please contact us  through our website www.empangenidogclub.org.za. or you can visit www.pawsforpeople.co.za for more information! Well done, Beautiful Bailes, we are so proud of you!