Stray Dogs become "Therapy Dogs"

Hello! Thank you for always providing us warm support for JATA’s “ Stray Dogs become therapy dogs “ project.This time we will give a report of a Therapy Dog named Chocolat ( Mixed Dog).

As we mentioned before, Chocolat was a stray dog in Turkey until she was rescued and came to Japan two years ago.Chocolat had faced plenty of difficulties until she was rescued. However, after she came to Japan she was protected and she received lots of love from many people. Now she is a popular therapy dog in “Healing & Recreation Salon for Human and Dogs” (http://ikoi.me/). This is where people can interact with different therapy dogs.

A variety of people come to this salon every day; people who like dogs, those who want to spend a relaxing time with dogs, those who want to heal their mental or physical fatigue,those who are suffering from pet loss and have mental illness, and those who want to enjoy the time with their family or friends, are few examples.

Each person has their main purpose to visit the salon. Therefore, the therapist and therapy dogs need to act and respond according to their needs.Chocolat does not act according to the order of the therapist, but instead she judges herself and acts with her own decision as she carefully observes the person that needs her. Chocolat is never shy when she meets a new person. She is always welcoming with a smile.

People who suffer from serious mental illnesses also visit the salon. Chocolat gets close to them and comprehends their feelings.People who have human relationship or job problems and who are mentally unstable or depressed also visit the salon.

At the beginning they have no facial expressions, but as they touch and interact with Chocolat, who accepts everybody no matter who, they feel “I am welcomed! She remembers me!” and they express their joy. That experience leads to their self-confidence, and many become frequent visitors of the salon. As a result, they regain their joy of living.

We have seen many people recover their mental and physical health, that did not improve by the hospital treatments or medicines, by the endless healing power of dogs.

The other day, Chocolat was introduced as a “working dog” in a reputed animal program of NHK TV(Japanese public broadcasting station).In Japan, the animal therapy has been notably picked up in the media in recent years and though its awareness is gradually increasing, it is currently not popular yet.

To know the activities of the therapy dog via mass-media is an occasion to become familiar and understand clearly what Animal Therapy is.We believe that if many people understand the possibility of the infinite healing power of a dog has, it will widespread the name of therapy dogs.

Thank you for reading !