Dogs are helping out occupational therapists at Mayo Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin. One of their dogs, Iago, is currently focusing on helping out a toddler named Eden Blankenship when it comes to her problem with walking.
Humans are not the only ones capable of offering therapy to another human being because apparently, dogs could provide it as well. In a report published by Channel 3000, Eden Blankenship is about to turn three this month of February and she is having troubles not just with walking, but with using both of her hands as well. She is one of those premature babies, which is why she is experiencing such hardships living a normal life.
Her parents have been taking her to the Mayo Health System for her therapy sessions for three years now and it was only two months ago that she was introduced to her new occupational therapist, Iago the dog. Doctors noticed that having Iago as her therapist now has improved her walking faster than she did over the past three years.
One of the Occupational Therapists in Mayo, Stephanie Andersen said, "When she's just walking, she's got this walker she knows she needs it but when she gets to see Iago, she forgets she needs the walker."
Eden's mom also noticed the joy that her child now has since meeting Iago. She said that Eden is more vibrant and motivated to work during the therapy sessions. They make it a point to always see Iago first before they continue with all their other appointments.
Iago is one of the members of the Canine Companions for Independence Program. The government is offering this kind of service for people who need them. This is not the first time that a dog is being used for therapy. In fact, WB
ALTV also has a news story of a Golden Retriever helping a patient recover from a stroke.
All these news about canines helping people just proves that dogs are indeed man's best friend.
