About 20 University students assisted two disabled Weimaraners in a physical therapy session Thursday evening in Blake Hall. Betsy Garrison, associate dean of the College of Agriculture, brought her two rescued Weimaraners, Jesse and Maggie, who were adopted from the Weimaraner Rescue of the South.
Jesse has an unknown neurological disability while Maggie has an anxiety disorder, and Garrison said she performs exercises with the dogs to keep them active.
The goal of the therapy sessions is to increase the dogs’ range of motion, specifically in their hips and legs, Garrison said.
“We are trying to get them to move in a way in which they are not used to moving,” Garrison said. “My dogs love peanut butter. I just put a little on their body, and they will stretch to lick it off.”
Garrison said she has owned Maggie for two years and Jesse for less than a year. When Maggie was picked up, she had a severe case of mange, and Jesse was found wandering near an airport, Garrison said.
“Because of Jesse’s disability, he cannot trot or turn,” Garrison said.
Garrison and the students also used treats to make the dogs sit and shake to allow the dogs to exercise their legs.
“We just put the food underneath them and make them stretch for it,” Garrison said.
Garrison showed students a video about Dag’s House, a housing and fitness center for special needs dogs in Marrero, La.
Dag’s House typically cares for dogs that have tumors, spinal injuries or have been hurt in car accidents, and some of the dogs have been given wheelchairs to get around the facility, Garrison said.
Even intensive care, such as the usage of water treads, is provided at Dag’s. Water treadmills allow dogs to build strength in their legs until they can put weight on their legs.
  Gallery: Pet Therapy
 
Kali Sherman, animal sciences freshman, said she and her family have actively worked with animal assisted therapy programs, like Tiger HATS (Human Animal Therapy Service) and the therapy program through the Agriculture Residential College.
“I heard about tonight’s program through Dr. Garrison,” Sherman said. “The dogs are very sweet, and they enjoy being around people.”
Adelle Anderson, animal sciences freshman, said she heard about the therapy session through an e-mail from a professor.
“I love all dogs, and Maggie and Jesse are both calm and well-trained dogs,” she said.
 
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Contact Kate Mabry at [email protected]