Guest Author - Jackie O´Neal

Pet Therapy
By Jackie O’Neal

Ronan, a black English Labrador, three years old brings smiles to the residents Eastern Pines Convalescent Center in Atlantic City.. He has been described by his owner/handler, Virginia Gormley as “very male and energetic.” He is no ordinary dog among the world of dogs. Ronan is part of a volunteer pet therapy team along with his handler, Virginia... Gormley describes the experience for Ronan as a win-win. “He can’t get enough attention and the people are so anxious to touch him,” she said.

On Friday mornings, the team brings warmth and companionship to the residents of Eastern Pines Convalescent Center in Atlantic City, N.J..
Ronan is black and sleek, gentle and very friendly. As he and Virginia circulated through the dining hall of the Nursing Home, joyful smiles and laughter were evident. Ronan received basic training at our local County Humane Society. Gormley offers her pet therapist services in the community as a volunteer with an organization called Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Inc. They are responsible for certifying the therapy dogs so they can go out into the community.

Ana Cilursu, Coordinator of the dog training program at The Humane Society discusses a list of attributes a therapy dog must have. In addition to being well-behaved and socialized, they must also be comfortable in strange situations. Most potential therapy dogs must also have completed basic obedience training.

Gormley finds her work as part of a pet therapy team rewarding. She explained how it brings so much joy to her and others, and that she hopes to visit more Nursing Homes in the future. “It’s so rewarding, there’s no downside at all,” she said.
Originally, she had adopted Ronan from a Seeing-Eye dog school after having lost her golden retriever, and decided to capitalize on Ronan’s good temperament and get involved in pet therapy.. When she adopted Ronan, his name was Ronnie, a name Gormley was not partial to. After seeing Ronan Tynan, the Irish tenor perform one weekend, she felt inspired to change his name. "Ronnie became Ronan,” she noted. Gormley also mentioned another benefit to working as a pet therapist- staying in good physical condition. Therapy dogs are not supposed to work for more than 3 hours every week, so she takes Ronan on long runs Friday afternoons to help get his “kinks” out.

For people who are dog lovers and seeking a way to serve their communities, volunteering as a pet therapist seems worthwhile. For Gormley, Eastern Pines Convalescent Center is a perfect location. A native and resident of Margate, she learned that they were seeking a pet therapist after she and Ronan completed training last summer.

She enjoys the warm, familial atmosphere at Eastern Pines. “We see the same people every week and they say: Oh, it’s Ronan- it must be Friday,” Friday is Gormley’s day off from her Social Worker position at AtlantiCare City Division, and she hopes to begin pet therapy there this month. “We’ll see how Ronan does,” she said.

If you have ever considered serving the community as a pet therapist, the first contact to make is with the local Humane Society. They provide most of the training for pet therapist and companion dog, and also all the information needed for your pet to become certified.
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