Response from Jill Robinson, Animals Asia Foundation

[Guest guest]

Please find below a response from Jill Robinson,

Founder and CEO of Animals Asia Foundation, to a recent posting on AAPN.

 

Thanks,

 

Angela Leary

Publications Manager

Animals Asia Foundation

Tel: (852) 2791 2225

http://www.animalsasia.org/

 

 

I was disappointed to read the response of Pet

Positive’s Anna Tandy to the launch of Animals

Asia’s Dr Dog programme in Malaysia. I feel it is

important that I clarify some of the

misunderstandings in her article in The Star, not

just because of the potential damage such

unwarranted fear-mongering brings to the

reputation of our own programme, but also because

it does a grave disservice to the thousands of

hard-working therapy dogs around the world.

 

We have been operating our highly successful Dr

Dog animal-therapy programme in Asia for 16

years. In that time, there has not been a single

incident of a dog either barking at a wheelchair

or snapping at patients. But this is hardly

surprising given that all our potential canine

applicants must undergo rigorous screening and continual monitoring.

 

Animals Asia pioneered the concept of animal

therapy in Hong Kong back in 1991 and we now

operate in six countries. We are thrilled to be

launching the programme in Kuala Lumpur this

weekend through our local representatives, Furry Friends Farm.

 

Dedicated volunteers now escort over 250

registered animal-therapy dogs on regular visits

to hospitals, disabled centres, homes for the

young and elderly, orphanages and schools

throughout Asia. Either a highly trained member

of the Animals Asia team or an appointed

volunteer co-ordinator goes on each visit. In

Hong Kong alone, our devoted Dr Dogs gave 1,300

hours of community service last year, benefiting more than 100 organisations.

 

Safety is always a top priority, so before

potential Dr Dogs can even enter our stringent

selection process, they must meet a number of

criteria. They have to be at least two years old;

they must have lived with their current family

for at least six months; they must be desexed;

and they must have been vaccinated against rabies

as well as distemper, hepatitis, leptospira,

parainfluenza, parvovirus and adenovirus.

Fighting breeds are banned from even trying out.

 

Once dogs are deemed eligible, they undergo a

rigorous examination by two Animals Asia

professionals to assess character, temperament

and obedience. Next is a full independent

veterinary health check before they can be

registered as an Animals Asia therapy dog. All Dr

Dogs remain on permanent probation; they are

monitored during each visit and their behaviour

is assessed to ensure they remain suitable for

the programme. We also require proof of

up-to-date vaccinations and general health

certificates on an annual basis. If either a Dr

Dog or a volunteer is feeling sick on the day of

their scheduled visit, the visit is postponed.

 

And yes, cross-breeds are just as welcome to join

the programme as pure breeds. It is the

temperament of the dogs that is important, not

their pedigree. Some of our cross-breed Dr Dogs

have proved to be perfect therapists – patient,

loving, loyal, content, eager and completely

unflappable. And most importantly, they love

their jobs and are incredibly popular with the

people they visit. Dr Bear in Hong Kong, Dr

Jumble in India, and of course Dr Eddie in Hong

Kong, who was rescued from a meat market in

China, are among these wonderful ambassadors;

they not only bring amazing benefits to those

they visit, but also inspire change in the

community by showing how “mongrels”, “street

dogs” and “food dogs”, can integrate well into

society as well as provide a valuable social service.

 

These dogs, of course, are not simply plucked

from the streets and marched off into therapy.

Some have been in loving homes all their lives,

others have been rescued from tragic

circumstances, then integrated into loving

families before being assessed and passed as therapy dogs.

 

Another important aspect of our Dr Dog programme

is that we proudly work with local groups in the

countries in which we operate. There is Blue

Cross in India (whose first successful applicant

was a street dog), PAWS in the Philippines, Pets

for Life in Japan and now Furry Friends Farm in

Kuala Lumpur. We believe it is essential to work

with these groups because they are best placed to

address any culturally sensitive issues that may arise.

 

We liaise closely with hospice and hospital staff

who understand the various needs of their

patients and who then coordinate with our staff

and volunteers regarding the type of visits and

size of dogs required. We ensure that all our

dogs are safe, healthy, clean and parasite-free.

The health professionals and, of course, the

patients are best able to judge the level of

contact and whether the dogs should be allowed on the beds.

 

We, and other professionals in the field, have

long recognised that if patients ask to hold a

dog in their arms, and the medical staff agree,

then this is exactly the sort of therapy

scientifically proven to show why dogs are

beneficial for our health. Simply being in the

company of dogs (and cats) is proven to lower

blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The

unconditional love of these dogs, and the

“feel-good factor” that comes with it, even boosts our immune systems.

 

We are in no doubt that our tail-wagging doctors

are happy to oblige. Our volunteers tell us that

their dogs are always so excited when they see

their Dr Dog bandanas because it means they are going on a visit.

 

Our Dr Dog programme is publicly endorsed by the

Hong Kong government, which states that our “high

standards of public safety and organisation set

an excellent example”. (Dr David Burrows, Senior

Veterinary Officer, Agriculture, Conservation and Fisheries Department).

 

And the medical profession: “Amidst the recent

SARS and Avian Flu frenzy, the Dr Dog programme

remains one of the safest human-animal

interactions. Dr Dogs are fully vaccinated and

screened rigorously for good health and

temperament. They certainly pose no threat to us

and yet they have much more to offer. " (Dr

Clifford Loo MBBS, (NSW) General Practitioner in Hong Kong).

 

And the veterinary profession: “There have never

been any reports of injuries or disease

transmission during the whole 16-year history of

the Dr Dog programme. This is due to the careful

selection of responsible owners who have

well-socialised dogs that receive regular

veterinary health checks. Having healthy,

vaccinated animals with observant owners in the

programme, virtually eliminates any chance of

disease transmission from Dr Dogs to people.” (Dr Gail Cochrane BVMS MRCVS)

 

So I hope this has set the record straight. I

would also like Anna to know that I would be

happy to meet with her to discuss any other concerns she may have.

 

Jill Robinson MBE

Founder and CEO

Animals Asia Foundation