An interesting blessing and memorial service took place last weekend in Toronto, Canada. The event was organized to acknowledge the service and work of one our favourite all time pets, man’s best friend, in particular the service dog. St. John Ambulance’s Therapy Dog Services staged the entire event.
The event was to show gratitude and to acknowledge the role that these working dogs play in every day individual lives.
The dogs were each given a personal blessing, treat, certificate, t-shirt and a picture.
Yogi Akal aka Agia Akal Singh Khalsa who led the blessing is an expert in working with the total being, both personally and professionally. An accomplished Yogi, Sikh minister, social commentator, counselor, Akal is also a dynamic and compelling speaker and widely sought after consultant, having conducted hundreds of programs throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Yogi Akal giving a personal blessing to the service dog /Facebook/ St. John Ambulance
A therapy dog is a dog trained to provide affection and comfort to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and to people with learning difficulties. Therapy dogs come in all sizes and breeds. The most important characteristic of a therapy dog is its temperament.
A good therapy dog must be friendly, patient, confident, gentle, and at ease in all situations. The furry friend must enjoy human contact and be content to be petted and handled.
A therapy dog's primary job is to allow unfamiliar people to make physical contact with it and to enjoy that contact. Children in particular enjoy hugging animals; adults usually enjoy simply petting the dog. The dog might need to be lifted onto, or climb onto, an individual's lap or bed and sit or lie comfortably there.
A boy reads to a St. John Ambulance therapy dog/www.sja.ca
“My own dog once helped an ailing patient by being on his side in the hospital when the patient’s family was not around. This was very helpful to the patient and the family members appreciated the act of kindness. This got me thinking about dog therapy and I got associated with St. John Ambulance. My own dog now goes into schools, hospices, long care facilities and works with police and its service dog facilities,” says Yogi Akal.
“I am very proud to be a part of the program,” he added.
Many dogs contribute to the visiting experience by performing small tricks for their audience or by playing carefully structured games. In hospice environments, therapy dogs can play a role in palliative care by reducing death anxiety.
The blessing given is noted as a positive secular affirmation:
May you be blessed…
May you be healed…
May you be loved…
May you be uplifted and cherished…
May you help others…
May you bless others…
May you heal others…
May you uplift everyone…
“Every night before going to the bed, I say the blessing with my dog to relax and uplift him,” said Yogi Akal.
To learn more about therapy dogs log onto: St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog program
Source: BlinkPR
Images: TorontoStar.ca
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