Post by Kim on Jul 11, 2010 8:10:17 GMT -5
I have been involved with a local humane society for a number of years and in a number of ways. One of the most rewarding has been as a part of their pet therapy program.
It began when I saw a posting looking for cats to become involved with a pet therapy program that the humane society was trying to expand from “dogs only." Because of the success I have had with ferrets in other shelter-sponsored events, and because the therapy coordinator had seen the ferrets in action, I arranged to take a pair of ferrets to an adult daycare center run by the Visiting Nurse Association. I cleared the ferrets with the recreational therapist in advance, to make sure she was comfortable with the idea (she turned out to be a ferret lover). From the moment they arrived at the center, the ferrets were in their glory and made regular return trips, as my hectic schedule allowed.
An average visit lasted between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the group, which changes at the center from day to day. Some groups wanted information about ferrets, while others just wanted to hold or pet “the little animals." I generally talked about the ferrets I brought with me while the people interacted with them. I talked about the difference in size (Dianne was female, Phoenix was male), recommended veterinary care, common illnesses (Dianne had adrenal surgery, Phoenix had insulinoma), dietary requirements, life span, etc.
People participate in the adult daycare for a variety of reasons, but most are either elderly or physically disabled. While some have been reluctant to handle the ferrets, most are curious about them and are happy to pet or hold a ferret. Two of my ferrets, Dianne and Phoenix, received certification as therapy animals. This meant that they were gentle animals with a great deal of patience and the willingness to be passed from person to person, picked up, held on laps, stroked by unsteady hands, and to be generally “loved on." Each person interested in holding a ferret was given a tube of ferretvite to help keep the ferret from exploring or ear cleaning. A woman at one session gleefully announced “my grandchildren will never believe I held a ferret!” Luckily, I had my camera and provided “proof."
One therapy session with the ferrets even resulted in two new ferrets moving into my home. I had been talking to one of the participants about his ferrets, which I mistakenly believed referred to ferrets he had at an earlier point in his life, prior to the onset of his illness. The next morning, a woman called me at home, and asked if I was the person who took ferrets to the VNA. When I answered yes, she asked if it was true that I rescue ferrets. I again answered yes, and she then asked, “Will you rescue mine?” She then explained that her husband had been at the previous day’s therapy session, and the ferrets he had talked about where current pets, along with a dog and several cats. She broke into tears when she explained that she loved the ferrets very much, but that caring for her husband, their daughter, the ferrets, the other animals, and working, was “just too much." I picked up Baron and Gizmo that evening. Grizzly Bear (nee Gizmo) eventually joined Dianne and Phoenix as a certified therapy ferret. He was able to make connections with visually impaired people, as he had been blinded in one eye by a pellet gun.
Although Dianne, Phoenix and Grizzly Bear have all gone to the rainbow bridge, other ferrets have stepped in to continue the educational efforts.
It is important to point out that none of the ferrets in my home have been specially breed or trained as a therapy or educational animal. In fact every last ferret living in my home came in as a rescue - some abused or neglected, but most simply “thrown away” by people after the novelty wore off. The fact that ferrets coming out of situations like these are gentle and loving enough to be therapy animals should help convince the skeptics that ferrets are far from the vicious animals detractors try to paint them.
While I am strongly in favor of ferret owners becoming involved with therapy programs, as well as other public education or awareness activities, I would like to point out that not all ferrets have the correct personality for such things. Just as some dogs and cats are too nervous or aggressive, some ferrets are either too playful or too prone to nipping to meet the general public. Remember, many people misunderstand the weasel wardance, and one nip can turn a person against ferrets, as well as endangering the ferret, so make sure you know your fuzzy well before you take him out to be adored.
Copyright 2002 by Nanette Thurber.
This article was used with permission by Nanette Thurber.
It began when I saw a posting looking for cats to become involved with a pet therapy program that the humane society was trying to expand from “dogs only." Because of the success I have had with ferrets in other shelter-sponsored events, and because the therapy coordinator had seen the ferrets in action, I arranged to take a pair of ferrets to an adult daycare center run by the Visiting Nurse Association. I cleared the ferrets with the recreational therapist in advance, to make sure she was comfortable with the idea (she turned out to be a ferret lover). From the moment they arrived at the center, the ferrets were in their glory and made regular return trips, as my hectic schedule allowed.
An average visit lasted between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the group, which changes at the center from day to day. Some groups wanted information about ferrets, while others just wanted to hold or pet “the little animals." I generally talked about the ferrets I brought with me while the people interacted with them. I talked about the difference in size (Dianne was female, Phoenix was male), recommended veterinary care, common illnesses (Dianne had adrenal surgery, Phoenix had insulinoma), dietary requirements, life span, etc.
People participate in the adult daycare for a variety of reasons, but most are either elderly or physically disabled. While some have been reluctant to handle the ferrets, most are curious about them and are happy to pet or hold a ferret. Two of my ferrets, Dianne and Phoenix, received certification as therapy animals. This meant that they were gentle animals with a great deal of patience and the willingness to be passed from person to person, picked up, held on laps, stroked by unsteady hands, and to be generally “loved on." Each person interested in holding a ferret was given a tube of ferretvite to help keep the ferret from exploring or ear cleaning. A woman at one session gleefully announced “my grandchildren will never believe I held a ferret!” Luckily, I had my camera and provided “proof."
One therapy session with the ferrets even resulted in two new ferrets moving into my home. I had been talking to one of the participants about his ferrets, which I mistakenly believed referred to ferrets he had at an earlier point in his life, prior to the onset of his illness. The next morning, a woman called me at home, and asked if I was the person who took ferrets to the VNA. When I answered yes, she asked if it was true that I rescue ferrets. I again answered yes, and she then asked, “Will you rescue mine?” She then explained that her husband had been at the previous day’s therapy session, and the ferrets he had talked about where current pets, along with a dog and several cats. She broke into tears when she explained that she loved the ferrets very much, but that caring for her husband, their daughter, the ferrets, the other animals, and working, was “just too much." I picked up Baron and Gizmo that evening. Grizzly Bear (nee Gizmo) eventually joined Dianne and Phoenix as a certified therapy ferret. He was able to make connections with visually impaired people, as he had been blinded in one eye by a pellet gun.
Although Dianne, Phoenix and Grizzly Bear have all gone to the rainbow bridge, other ferrets have stepped in to continue the educational efforts.
It is important to point out that none of the ferrets in my home have been specially breed or trained as a therapy or educational animal. In fact every last ferret living in my home came in as a rescue - some abused or neglected, but most simply “thrown away” by people after the novelty wore off. The fact that ferrets coming out of situations like these are gentle and loving enough to be therapy animals should help convince the skeptics that ferrets are far from the vicious animals detractors try to paint them.
While I am strongly in favor of ferret owners becoming involved with therapy programs, as well as other public education or awareness activities, I would like to point out that not all ferrets have the correct personality for such things. Just as some dogs and cats are too nervous or aggressive, some ferrets are either too playful or too prone to nipping to meet the general public. Remember, many people misunderstand the weasel wardance, and one nip can turn a person against ferrets, as well as endangering the ferret, so make sure you know your fuzzy well before you take him out to be adored.
Copyright 2002 by Nanette Thurber.
This article was used with permission by Nanette Thurber.