Tag Archive for therapy

Let a Dog Teach Reading

Have you heard about “Listening Dogs”?  It’s a simple, yet effective, concept.  Back in 1999, R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) came to be. They train therapy dogs to work with children, some with learning disabilities.  A dog’s job is to help a child learn English or reading skills in a loving, non-judgmental atmosphere. Kids have no worry about mispronouncing words or overcoming shyness in speaking in front of a class, thus resulting in health benefits, as well (lower blood pressure, pain control).  The dogs are attentive listeners, rewarding the children’s efforts with soulful looks and maybe an occasional sneaked-in lick.

Kids thrive. Dogs are happy. What more can we ask for?   For additional information, go to https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/47522/how-reading-aloud-to-therapy-dogs-can-help-struggling-kids

Depressed? Stressed? High BP? Try This

Whoever heard of “horticulture therapy”? Not me. Apparently, it’s a real thing that’s being used in the field of mental health. It seems that plants can help people overcome depression, and gardening helps people both mentally and physically.  It has helped vets, people with addiction, kids, and older adults. According to Gardening becomes healing with horticultural therapy, “Many studies have found that just being in nature — such as taking a walk through a garden, a park, a forest — can improve not only your state of mind but your blood pressure, your heart rate and your stress hormone levels and, over time, can lead to a longer life….But taking care of a plant or a garden with guidance from a therapist goes a step further.”

This is an interesting article, worth a read.

Wanna Go Forest Bathing?

Okay.  I admit it.  I’m a tree hugger.  I love being out in a forest.  It relaxes me and helps me understand my place in the universe.  Apparently, I’m not all that  crazy; forest bathing is catching on in the U.S.  Watch  this video and see if it’s right for you.

 

https://www.facebook.com/worldeconomicforum/videos/10154303720471479/