Lecture on Rehab dog in Stroke rehabilitation

On October 21st was held a national symposium at Nobel Forum, Karolinska Institutet (KI) in Stockholm, Sweden. The topic of the day was "Mental and cognitive symptoms after stroke".

It was arranged by the Swedish Society for Psychiatry of the Elderly and the Drug Therapeutic Committee of Stockholm County.

At 12:00 was held the lecture "Man's best friend, Assistant dogs in stroke rehabilitation".

The lecture was held by the physician and researcher Finn Hjälmblink and dog handler Katja Thorman with IRD dog Learoy. Probably the first time a dog was invited as a "speaker" at KI!

Rehab dogs visiting a Swedish hospital

Shorthaired Collie Atlas.

Today, three dogs and their dog handlers visited a small hospital.

Dog handler Katta with Atlas - a reward is always nice!

The pictures are meant to show what a trained dog must be capable of in interactions with strangers!



Miniature Bull Terrier Greta wonders if there is any candy to be had!

Patted and poked at. A rehab-dog must not be too "afraid" of their feet, but allow a stranger to even want to kiss them!

The "patients" will touch both on the head, body and legs - and it should not be a problem for the dogs.

Dog handler Tina with Greta - nice girls even get to sit in sofas!

Three dogs should be able to handle a situation where food is present - without the dogs starting to quarrel with each other.

IRD dog Atlas knows that he can be treated to goodies in the coffee room ...

IRD dog Learoy gets stroked on the head - even that something the dogs have to tolerate.

And neither ca a Rehab-dog defend his/her food against strangers either!

The dogs included in the visit were two fertile males and one female who just finished her heat. Also this a situation the dogs must be able to handle. No picking quarrels between males will be tolerated

No wonder then if you are completely exhausted after the visit and just not able to walk another step!

The visits are tiring even for the dogs - therefore the visits should not last for very long!

Rehab Dogs at a Swedish hospital

November 11th, Katja, Learoy and Bonzai visited a small Swedish hospital. The visit was highly appreciated!

Out of respect for the "patients", I have edited out the faces so they can not be identified.