Therapy dogs are increasingly an important component of the healing process in hospitals. Medical science can’t completely explain what’s happening within a patient’s body, but therapy dogs have a healing ability that helps people recover more quickly. Perhaps the presence of dogs stimulates something in the human brain that initiates the healing process.
A horrific event involving a young boy named Ian resulted in the demise of his parents. Ian was in a coma for four months after that and was partially crippled as a result of a serious brain injury. When Ian regained consciousness, he almost immediately began physical therapy.
Ian had to relearn how to eat, speak, and perform other fundamental human tasks. The boy was a fighter who made considerable improvement. However, Ian’s emotional health still needed to heal as he was still longing for his parents. It was right at that time that he met a dog named Ricochet.
Since she was a puppy, Ricochet has been in training to become a service dog. She was first interested in the training, but gradually lost interest and gave up.
Judy Fridono, Ricochet’s trainer and guardian, observed this change in Ricochet’s behavior. There was not much Judy could have done to rekindle Ricochet’s enthusiasm for training.
Judy realized, though, that Ricochet had an interest in surfing. When Ricochet jumped on a surfboard, her eyes lit up and she became interested.
One day, Judy saw an email her buddy sent her regarding an article on Ian. The story detailed the accident and Ian’s fondness for surfing with his father.
Judy was aware that Ricochet could aid Ian’s recovery. When Judy introduced Ricochet to Ian, the two formed an instant bond.
Ian’s eyes brightened up, but he was still terrified to surf in the sea. Ian’s apprehension subsided, though, when he discovered that he could enter the water and go surfing with Ricochet.
Even after falling off his surfboard and falling face-first into the sea, Ian chuckled and was eager to catch some waves with Ricochet again. Since meeting Ricochet, Ian’s life has improved significantly. Ian’s movement and self-assurance dramatically improved.
Ian and Ricochet finally parted following Ian’s remarkable recovery. Ian’s experience was included in a documentary. At the screening of the documentary, Ian and Ricochet were invited. When the boy discovered that he would be reunited with Ricochet, his excitement was very obvious.
Ian was standing outside a theater when Ricochet ran towards him. Ricochet remembered Ian, and when they were reunited, she was just as delighted as Ian. Ian could not be more grateful to Ricochet for being a part of his life and for helping him heal when he needed it the most.
Source: The Dodo
