The power of touch: a boy, a dog, a canine massage
Let’s take off Benny’s vest so we can massage his whole body
A simple massage.
Nothing too special.
Just hands moving slowly.
Gently.
With love.
Learning to massage Benny was the task of the day with Julian.
Let’s practice with Coco first
Julian is on the autism spectrum and touching Benny has been his greatest achievement.Every week these two friends get together and the progress has been extraordinary.
The boys look right at each other and hold eye contact. The boys walk together, cuddle, read stories, relax and understand one another.
So it was time to do something even more hands on.
Massage!
Our dear friend Marilyn taught us how to properly do canine massage.
Start at his neck and work your hands down his body
And Benny just settled in and loved it.First Marilyn showed Julian how to massage a dog with the Coco doll. Start at the nape of the neck and slowly work your way down the back of the dog.
Slowly.
Gently.
Try it on the doll.
Now start at the neck again but this time work your hands down one back leg.
Let’s massage Benny’s head
Now move your hand in little circles on the dog’s back.Then up and down her back.Coco the doll was very still and seemed to enjoy it!
Benny looked at me!
Now should we try this on a real dog?Benny was ready, willing and able.Julian was a bit more nervous about touching the real dog but his friend Benny looked up at him and said “It’s ok, I really like this.”
So Marilyn and Julian did it together, hand over hand.
Oh Benny loves his ears touched
Then they reached for Benny’s head to stroke him and he was so happy. Julian has had difficulty touching Benny from the front right on his head, but today it was a soothing gesture for both dog and boy.Stroke each ear moving your hand all the way through the fur. Of course, only do this with a dog that is totally relaxed and loves being touched all over, including his ears! Benny loved it.After a few minutes of gentle massage, Benny turned over and took a deep breath, sighed and almost fell asleep.
Oh oh Benny fell alseep!
By now Julian was totally into the massage and was so sweet with sleeping Benny.
A simple massage
Thank you Marilyn for sharing your talent with us and showing Julian the power of touch.
Let’s take off Benny’s vest so we can massage his whole body
A simple massage.
Nothing too special.
Just hands moving slowly.
Gently.
With love.
Learning to massage Benny was the task of the day with Julian.
Let’s practice with Coco first
Julian is on the autism spectrum and touching Benny has been his greatest achievement.Every week these two friends get together and the progress has been extraordinary.
The boys look right at each other and hold eye contact. The boys walk together, cuddle, read stories, relax and understand one another.
So it was time to do something even more hands on.
Massage!
Our dear friend Marilyn taught us how to properly do canine massage.
Start at his neck and work your hands down his body
And Benny just settled in and loved it.First Marilyn showed Julian how to massage a dog with the Coco doll. Start at the nape of the neck and slowly work your way down the back of the dog.
Slowly.
Gently.
Try it on the doll.
Now start at the neck again but this time work your hands down one back leg.
Let’s massage Benny’s head
Now move your hand in little circles on the dog’s back.Then up and down her back.Coco the doll was very still and seemed to enjoy it!
Benny looked at me!
Now should we try this on a real dog?Benny was ready, willing and able.Julian was a bit more nervous about touching the real dog but his friend Benny looked up at him and said “It’s ok, I really like this.”
So Marilyn and Julian did it together, hand over hand.
Oh Benny loves his ears touched
Then they reached for Benny’s head to stroke him and he was so happy. Julian has had difficulty touching Benny from the front right on his head, but today it was a soothing gesture for both dog and boy.Stroke each ear moving your hand all the way through the fur. Of course, only do this with a dog that is totally relaxed and loves being touched all over, including his ears! Benny loved it.After a few minutes of gentle massage, Benny turned over and took a deep breath, sighed and almost fell asleep.
Oh oh Benny fell alseep!
By now Julian was totally into the massage and was so sweet with sleeping Benny.
A simple massage
Thank you Marilyn for sharing your talent with us and showing Julian the power of touch.
Pooch Power: Nevada State College Brings in the Dogs
Boise helped everyone relax
What better way to ease the stress of final exams for college students than to bring in the Love Dogs?
Nevada State College did just that and six therapy dog teams spent two hours with the students giving them some much needed break time. Every college student experiences pressure and stress, particularly around exam time.
Colleges and universities across the nation are seeking unique ways to give the students a much-needed break from deadlines and stress. Some provide pizza and massages and some bring in the dogs!
Benny was voted the best hugger
All the dogs who visited Nevada State College are registered with Delta Pet Partners and members of the Las Vegas Love Dog Adventures Therapy Program.The school organized an event promoting “play with the dogs and de-stress,” and the turnout was amazing. Not only did students stopped by for as taste of pooch power, but faculty and staff. No one wanted to be left out.When the dogs arrived, they were greeted by our hosts and settled in on their blankets in the Marydean Martin Library.
Layla was just so happy
A variety of breeds were represented including an Italian Greyhound, Yellow Lab, Golden Retriever, Border Collie and two poodles.Every student who stopped by to greet the dogs soon had a favorite.
No dog smiles larger than Tucker
Dash was such a gentleman
Dash showed everyone that therapy dogs don’t have to be fluffy!Layla showed them that an eleven year old Border can still have a job.Boise showed the students that Goldens can be calm and gentle and soft as pillows.
Tucker showed everyone that a Yellow Lab may just be the best at belly rubs.
And the two poodles … Kirby had one student who wants to become a veterinarian mesmerized by his story of surgeries and strength and Benny, had one student laughing with joy as he melted into his arms.
It has been documented that the presence and touch of an animal can lower blood pressure and heart rate, relief stress, and just makes everything better.Today at Nevada State College the many students who took time from their studies to relax and visit with volunteers and their remarkable dogs definitely left more prepared to handle exams and the stresses of college life.
We had such a great time and will go back to school in the fall!
Thank you Clay, Leslie, Lisa, Becca, and Gay for supporting today’s effort!
Kirby was such a little star
Boise helped everyone relax
What better way to ease the stress of final exams for college students than to bring in the Love Dogs?
Nevada State College did just that and six therapy dog teams spent two hours with the students giving them some much needed break time. Every college student experiences pressure and stress, particularly around exam time.
Colleges and universities across the nation are seeking unique ways to give the students a much-needed break from deadlines and stress. Some provide pizza and massages and some bring in the dogs!
Benny was voted the best hugger
All the dogs who visited Nevada State College are registered with Delta Pet Partners and members of the Las Vegas Love Dog Adventures Therapy Program.The school organized an event promoting “play with the dogs and de-stress,” and the turnout was amazing. Not only did students stopped by for as taste of pooch power, but faculty and staff. No one wanted to be left out.When the dogs arrived, they were greeted by our hosts and settled in on their blankets in the Marydean Martin Library.
Layla was just so happy
A variety of breeds were represented including an Italian Greyhound, Yellow Lab, Golden Retriever, Border Collie and two poodles.Every student who stopped by to greet the dogs soon had a favorite.
No dog smiles larger than Tucker
Dash was such a gentleman
Dash showed everyone that therapy dogs don’t have to be fluffy!Layla showed them that an eleven year old Border can still have a job.Boise showed the students that Goldens can be calm and gentle and soft as pillows.
Tucker showed everyone that a Yellow Lab may just be the best at belly rubs.
And the two poodles … Kirby had one student who wants to become a veterinarian mesmerized by his story of surgeries and strength and Benny, had one student laughing with joy as he melted into his arms.
It has been documented that the presence and touch of an animal can lower blood pressure and heart rate, relief stress, and just makes everything better.Today at Nevada State College the many students who took time from their studies to relax and visit with volunteers and their remarkable dogs definitely left more prepared to handle exams and the stresses of college life.
We had such a great time and will go back to school in the fall!
Thank you Clay, Leslie, Lisa, Becca, and Gay for supporting today’s effort!
Kirby was such a little star
