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| Please contact Bremer County Public Health/Waterloo Visiting Nurses Association with any questions regarding H1N1 vaccinations at (319) 235-6201. Click here to view the Iowa Public Flu Vaccination Site Locator | |||
| A Patient’s Best Friend | |||
| Rehabilitative therapy can take a lot out of a patient – physically and emotionally. Charm, a 2 year-old yellow lab trained to serve as a facility service dog at Waverly Health Center, is available to help. Charm is certified to work with patients during their rehabilitative therapy sessions, easing tension and providing motivation and support to those she assists. 
Her skills are utilized in three rehabilitative therapy service areas offered at WHC: physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Charm made her way to Waverly Health Center from Domesti-PUPS, a non-profit dog training facility in Lincoln, Nebraska that provides service dogs to persons with disabilities, pet therapy programs, classrooms and educational programs. Charm was the first dog from Domesti-PUPS specifically trained to serve as a facility service dog. She came to Waverly Health Center in August and since arriving, has been training as she familiarizes herself with her new surroundings. “The number of the ways Charm will help the patients we serve is limited only by our imaginations,” stated Leah Thier, physical therapist and Charm’s primary handler. “Her role with patients will definitely evolve as she begins working with them.” For physical therapy patients, Charm’s special support harness will serve as a stabilizer for those needing support while working to increase their mobility as she walks side by side with them. In addition, patients can brush or pet Charm, play tug-o-war or play fetch in a variety of positions (sitting, kneeling and standing) to work on balance and strength. In occupational therapy, patients working on fine motor skills can put Charm’s collar and leash on her. Patient also may brush and pet her to increase range of motion and strength and endurance in their arms and hands. Speech therapy patients can call Charm from varied distances to increase vocal volume and breath support. Patients can also work on improving their memory by being asked to recall her name, breed and age, as well as games, objects or items associated with Charm. “People underestimate what they can do in their therapy sessions. When working with a dog, they tend to work more on their own,” said Leah. “For example, if a person is working with Charm and using her as a brace to help get up off the floor, instead of relying solely on Charm to support them, they use more of their own strength to lift themselves up.” Patients that will benefit most from sessions with Charm are those who have head, arm or hand injuries, have had a stroke, have a neurologic disorder, balance disorder or Parkinson’s Disease and children of all ages. Charm breaks down barriers with patients, making them feel instantly at ease and motivated to accomplish their goals. “I have not had one person say ‘no’ to interacting with her,” stated Leah. “Through great support, faith and trust from key staff members that believed Charm would be a benefit to our facility, we are fortunate to have her!” To learn more about therapy services, call (319) 352-5644. | |||
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| All Rights Reserved © 2007 Waverly Health Center | |
| Waverly Health Center - 312 9th Street SW - Waverly, IA 50677 - (319) 352-4120 | |
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