Rescue dogs are subject of 'To the Rescue' 10/21/2009 12:04 AM
By HALEY HUGHES Staff writer
Serena can change lives.
Aiken resident Steve Briggs sees evidence of it every time he takes her to children's homes, senior citizen care centers and hospitals. He says his four-legged friend brings a smile to everyone's face and warmth to everyone's heart with her gentle, sincere manner.
Serena, a German shepherd, is a Delta Society-certified therapy dog who helps fulfill the organization's mission of advancing human health and well-being through positive interactions with animals. Delta Society believes people are healthier and happier because companion, service and therapy animals enrich and positively impact their everyday lives.
Serena is one of 50 dogs featured in Elise Lufkin's new book, "To the Rescue," which will be officially released to the public Nov. 1 at the Willcox Inn from 5 to 7 p.m. Lufkin will be present to autograph her book, and Serena will happily provide a paw-graph, as well, to benefit the Aiken SPCA.
The title "To the Rescue" has a double meaning.
Each dog in the book - all 50 - are rescued animals.
Before they moved here, Steve and his wife Doris were visiting Aiken to take advantage of long rides in Hitchcock Woods on their Paso Fino horses. Doris picked up a copy of the Aiken Standard and saw a Molly's Militia advertisement for an Australian shepherd being fostered in Augusta. Their Australian shepherd of 11 years had recently died.
The couple pulled up the group's website and saw Serena's picture. She was not an Australian shepherd but appealing nonetheless.
"Steve said 'Look at this one.' I wanted a small dog," Doris said with a laugh.
Serena had been found by Aiken County Animal Control officers as a stray and was taken to the shelter where she was picked up by Molly's Militia volunteers.
Steve said Serena was a perfect fit from the start. The Briggs had dinner downtown that night outside, and Serena lay at their feet the entire time. While riding in West Virginia, they let Serena off her lead, and she stayed right with them.
Back home in Florida, Steve took Serena to dog clicker training classes.
"On the third day, the instructor said I should have her thyroid checked because she was so calm," Steve said. "I said, 'Calm is good.'"
Then someone suggested she train as a therapy dog.
Today, Serena holds the highest certification from the Delta Society: complex.
"It means she is qualified to work under adverse conditions," Steve said.
Basically, Serena possesses the temperament, discipline and calmness necessary to work in highly active environments with many distractions and with unanticipated interactions.
He believes Serena understands she has a purpose and how it can help humans.
Steve has seen a patient with dementia carry on a five-minute conversation with the dog. Nurses said it was the most sense she had made in a long time. Steve watched a man's blood pressure decrease before his eyes as the patient petted Serena.
"Rescue dogs can turn into the most wonderful therapy dogs," Steve said. "I can read only two or three stories in 'To the Rescue' before I have to put it down. The stories are so heartwarming."
Lufkin is also the author of "Found Dogs" and "Second Chances."
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Posted by: Perry--from Colorado On: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 3:06 PM
Comment Title: therapy dogs
thanks for publishing this piece. Steve and Serena both are very good friends of mine, and I rely on them for my therapy--often.
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