January 15, 2010

Tanner The Therapy Dog

Golden Retriever is part of Genesis rehabilitation team

Therapy patients at Genesis Medical Center, West Central Park in Davenport have a new, four-legged therapist to help them on their road to recovery.

Tanner, a 2-year-old Golden Retriever, is a facility therapy dog. He is a highly trained and skilled dog used to support the recovery of patients after an injury that results in the loss of mobility and function.

Tanner, who was purchased through donations to the Genesis Health Services Foundation, is a working dog. In a short time, he has become an integral part of the rehabilitation team at Genesis. On a daily basis, he assists clients trying to regain skills.

"Everything Tanner does, and every command he has learned, is functional for our patients,'' explains Kara Grafft, a therapeutic recreational specialist who is also Tanner's master. "When he plays fetch, or tug-of-war, or other games, they are all designed to help the client regain use of their arms, or legs, or speech."

Raul Martinez, a 70-year-old who is recovering from a stroke, has worked closely with Tanner to regain use of his arms and legs and to regain his balance. Martinez is now back at home. "Tanner has made a big difference for me,'' he says. "He has helped me a lot.''

Grafft explained that even a basic game of fetch has benefits for the patient. "If the patient has lost some strength on their right side, we will get the patient to throw something for Tanner with their right arm,'' she says. "It not only helps the patient regain strength but also the work becomes more enjoyable with Tanner.

"Therapy can be very difficult for our patients. Tanner makes it more fun for them. The more they work with Tanner, the better the results are and the more quickly the patients can improve and be ready to go home.''

Motivating patients to work on regaining function is one of several assignments for Tanner. For patients who have become aphasic because of their stroke or brain injury, Tanner encourages them to find the words needed to make him respond. He can facilitate the use of words and conversations.

Tanner also provides companionship for patients who may feel isolated or may be depressed because of their injury.

Patients who may be anxious or lonely will find a friend inTanner.

And patients who may struggle to walk several steps may be more willing to try, and try more often, if Tanner is walking with them.

Tanner also visits behavioral health patients at Genesis on a regular basis. His presence is a calming influence. Grafft, who takes Tanner home after his workdays, learned about facility therapy dogs at a conference she attended. She saw the benefits and began pursuing the idea of having a dog at Genesis.

Tanner, who was bred locally, was already in training with Quad Cities-based Disability Assistance Dogs and was purchased when his extensive training was completed. He arrived at Genesis in the spring of 2009.

Tanner is one example of how your gifts to the Genesis Health Services Foundation have an impact on the health and wellness of patients served by Genesis Health System.

For additional information about the impact of your gifts, call (563) 421-6865 or go to www.genesishealth.com/give.