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BSCHIRLOFF from the Parkinson's Action Network asked about dogs trained to help PWP. Attached are two earlier posts to this list: ------------ Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 15:00:30 -0700 From: Nancy Burnham <[log in to unmask]> Subject: dogs Found the following info on the Mayo Heath [log in to unmask] Nancy B cg for Don 64/14 Dogs help people with Parkinson's: Specially trained dogs are giving people with Parkinson's disease the support they need to maintain independence. The dogs, trained by Independence Dogs, Inc., of Chadds Ford, Penn., are used to turn on light switches, pull wheelchairs and open doors for people disabled by Parkinson's. "Pet therapy - Medical specialists on four legs" examines how dogs may benefit people, including children, who are ill or disabled. http://www.mayohealth.org/mayo/9701/htm/pet_ther.htm For the full story on dogs and people with Parkinson's disease, see "Dog proves to be best friend for Parkinson's sufferer" on CNN's health site. http://cnn.com/HEALTH/9712/29/parkinsons.dogs/index.html ------------- Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 11:54:21 -0500 From: "LIST Helen K. Mason" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: guide dogs for PD Date: Wednesday, November 19, 1997 2:07:28 PM From: AOL News Subj: Canines Care For Parkinson's Disease Patients; Dogs Help Relieve Debilitating Sy PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Dogs have been helping people with disabilities lead independent lives for nearly seventy years. Now, for the first time, man's best friend is being taught to aid Parkinson's disease patients whose declining muscle coordination has led to difficulty with walking, frequent falling and difficulty carrying out other simple tasks. This pilot program is a joint effort by Independence Dogs, Inc. (IDI), a non-profit organization, Pennsylvania Hospital, a part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, and SmithKline Beecham (NYSE: SBH) to train dogs in assisting Parkinson's disease patients with severe symptoms that cannot currently be alleviated by medications alone. "As Parkinson's disease progresses, many patients have difficulty walking which often leads to a compromised quality of life. Two of the most severe symptoms that patients typically experience are freezing, a phenomenon by which patients suddenly halt movement and freeze in place requiring a cue to continue moving, and loss of balance which causes them to fall frequently," said Matthew B. Stern, M.D., director of the Parkinson's disease and Movement Disorders Center, Pennsylvania Hospital, a part of University of Pennsylvania Health System. "By training the dogs to tap a patients' foot with their paw, we have been able to break the cycle associated with freezing. The dogs are also trained to stay by the patient's side so that if they begin to stumble the patient can use the dog's harness as a crutch to regain balance. These dogs have significantly reduced my patients' tendency to fall." All dogs involved in this initiative received approximately a year and a half of basic training. As each dog's unique personality and temperament emerged, he or she was carefully matched with a Parkinson's disease patient. IDI trainers then spent hundreds of hours training the dogs to meet the patient's individual needs. The final training included a three-week session at IDI with patient and dog. These dogs help patients perform everyday tasks including opening doors, climbing stairs, retrieving dropped objects, picking up the telephone receiver and turning light switches on and off. They also offer Parkinson's disease patients the security and companionship often needed to give them the confidence to get out of the house more frequently. One Man's Story Russell Moore, a retired dairy worker and father of twelve, has had Parkinson's disease for almost nine years and despite the best treatments his condition continues to worsen. Over the years his activity level declined significantly and he rarely left his house. Now with the help of Ivan, his new canine companion, Russell has regained much of the independence he had before being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In fact, he has reduced his total number of falls per day by nearly 70 percent (from 30 falls per day to less than 10). The two take long walks together, go grocery shopping, go to the mall and attend church regularly. "When a vital, vibrant person is diagnosed with a chronic illness like Parkinson's disease, often times they feel like their life has stopped," commented M. Jean King, president and founder of Independence Dogs, Inc. "These dogs provide patients with the support they need to restore their dignity and help them lead more independent lives." The Parkinson's disease patients involved in this initiative have dramatically improved their motor coordination and have regained their independence. SmithKline Beecham, Pennsylvania Hospital and Independence Dogs, Inc., are continuing this program. Since these dogs are provided to people virtually free-of-charge, regardless of their financial status, IDI relies almost solely on the charitable contributions of outside organizations like SmithKline Beecham to subsidize training. IDI graduates are only asked to make a modest donation towards the cost of their dog's custom-made harness...."