{with our family dog, Sanka}
I remember trying to hold back tears as I watched the Oprah episode that highlighted the Puppies Behind Bars program (see video below). I have two legally-blind aunts, so my family felt extremely fortunate when given the opportunity to adopt a career-change dog that was initially trained as a guide-dog for the blind. There’s a strong connection between the calming, healing effects a pet can have on a person’s health, especially after witnessing my dad’s health improvements since adopting our yellow lab, Sanka. The process of certifying your dog as a therapy dog varies among states, but I’ve seen dogs certified by submitting a letter from a doctor or through a professional trainer. Even more proof that dogs truly are a (wo)man’s best friend!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pK-enFgSLA&feature=related]