Trust is defined as “reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing.”
Respect is defined as “to relate or have reference to.”
What do trust and respect have to do with pet therapy? Everything.
PAWS of CNY volunteers rely on the integrity, strength, and ability of their pets to improve the lives of those they interact with, even if the improvement is only momentary. We trust that our dogs can perform the important emotional task for which they have been trained and guided, because dogs have an unbelievable ability to relate and connect to those in need.
There are many lessons to be learned about trust and respect from our therapy dogs, which is why PAWS of CNY volunteers Karin Laskowski and Beth Tollar attended Onondaga Road Elementary School’s assembly on February 12 as guest speakers on this important topic.
The entire student body attended the assembly to learn about the importance of trust and respect from Laskowski and Tollar and their golden retrievers Piper, and Cooper. According to Tollar, the students at the assembly were incredibly receptive to the lessons taught by the PAWS of CNY Team.
“All of the kids were very well behaved, and very respectful of Cooper,” said Tollar. “I talked about all the ways Cooper helps people as a therapy dog, and how I trust him to be gentle with strangers. We talked about how Cooper wants to make me happy, so he takes that trust very seriously too.”
The students at Onondaga Road Elementary School left the assembly with not only a greater understanding of trust and respect, but an appreciation for pet therapy.
According to Tollar, “Cooper’s favorite part was at the end of the assembly when the kids came over to gently pet him and tell him what a good dog he is!”
PAWS of CNY attends several educational events throughout the year with students ranging from kindergarten through collegiate levels to discuss a variety of topics relating to the benefits of pet assisted wellness. If you would like PAWS of CNY to attend your next educational event, please contact us.