.grid-5x2.jpg)
Inspiration on wheels: Disabled dogs visit rehab patients
Cruising in their custom wheelchairs, Chili and Arlo are the center of attention wherever they go. But for patients at the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation in Dallas, these two canine caregivers are also an inspiration.
“Many of the patients are new to wheelchairs,” Linda Marler, the program’s director told TODAY.com. “When they see Chili and Arlo, they say, ‘If those dogs can do it, so can I.’ ”
Chili and Arlo are the only dogs with disabilities among the 90 specially trained therapy dogs that participate in Baylor’s Animal Assisted Therapy program. The canine volunteers make weekly visits to lift the spirits of patients who have suffered traumatic injuries or a stroke.
More on pets
Pug who ate, pooped 100 rocks is contest front-runner
If pooping out rocks was a skill, a pug from Rhode Island would be the most talented dog in the country.
Battling back-to-school sadness for pets
Top 10 dog breeds in America
“We use the dogs to create more of a home atmosphere and also to get a response,” Marler said.
She’s found that animals will often elicit a reaction when every other method has failed. “For head injury patients, a dog has been the first thing they respond to when emerging from a coma,” Marler said. “For others, being with a dog is what motivates them to speak or throw a ball.”
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44407043/ns/today-good_news/t/inspiration-wheels-disabled-dogs-visit-rehab-patients/#.TnBdQHPv9-VLove Always
mudra
Thank You Jenetta 
