Animal Therapy At Redcliff

By Author: Jamie Hanson
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"For the kids, it seems to bring a piece of home, a little bit of comfort," says Kena Frey, a RedCliff therapist.

Kena is talking about having Gracie, a nine-year-old lab/retriever mutt, sit in on therapy sessions in the field. Gracie recently certified as an official therapy dog.

"As I was hearing back from students who had left the program, almost every one of them were asking about Gracie," Kena says. "They would say how much they missed her and how they loved seeing her."

Gracie usually tagged along as Kena visited the field. While Kena initially brought the dog along just so she could get some exercise, Kena began to realize there might be some therapeutic value to having Gracie on hand.

"Gracie is really good at just recognizing when people need something. If students are having a difficult session they can sit there and pet her and get a little calming," Kena explains.

Kena had heard of therapy dogs used in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. She decided to investigate the possibility of having Gracie go through the certification process as well.

"I found Intermountain Therapy ...
... Animals, a volunteer program," she says. "The group doesn't have anyone in the St. George (Utah) area and they were hoping to expand. The dogs have to be very well trained, well mannered, and really good with strangers."

Kena was required to attend training sessions, once without Gracie and once to demonstrate how she and the dog worked together. "They want to teach you, as a handler, how to actually use your pet."

The pair will have to re-certify every two years to maintain their therapy dog status.

As a licensed clinical social worker, Kena plans to look for new ways she can use Gracie in the therapy she currently provides. "I'm really excited!" she says. "I ordered some additional books and I want to look for every opportunity I can to use Gracie."

What about students who may not like dogs? "Any time a student comes in I make sure they're OK with dogs in general," Kena explains. "One girl said she really didn't like dogs so Gracie sat by me. But within a couple of weeks the student was asking to have Gracie sit by her."

She adds, "It's really amazing what can happen with an animal. She brings a little more comfort and security into a session. Students are opening up a little more."

Redcliff Ascent runs an outdoor wilderness therapy program for troubled teens in Southern Utah.