By Mary Mitzlaff OMAHA, Neb.- It’s no secret that animals can lift our spirits, but research shows they can also improve mental health. Here in Nebraska, where nearly one in five people faces a mental health challenge, therapy dogs are helping bridge the gap.
After more than 30 years as a mental health therapist, Holly Israel has found a new kind of therapy tool, her dog, Swish.
Before finding Israel, Swish lived outside in Louisiana, severely neglected and heartworm positive. Today, he’s a certified therapy dog and a beloved member of the team at Perceptions Therapy, where Israel is co-owner.
He now works alongside Israel as a certified therapy dog and a beloved member of the Perceptions Therapy team.
“I think he just knows when people need a little bit of reassurance,” said Kim Story, co-owner of Perceptions Therapy. “I’ve seen him put his paw on people’s laps or even put his head next to them.”
Research shows therapy dogs help lower stress and anxiety. For Swish that means spreading comfort beyond the office, visiting nursing homes, memory care residents, schools, and more.
“Residents didn’t remember us from visit to visit,” said Israel. “In fact, frequently during a visit, they wouldn’t remember who Swish was from moment to moment. But consistently there was that happy, excited glow from within the response of the residents when they saw him.”
Holly has been fostering dogs for the last 12 years but one of her latest fosters, Ivy, decided to stay. And now, she’s on track to join Swish as Holly’s next therapy dog.
“He’s not at retirement age at this point, and he still definitely loves his job,” said Israel, “But I also believe that Ivy would make a great therapy dog. So, she also will be coming into the profession, so to speak.”
In the meantime, Swish is living his best life as a rescue who’s now helping others heal, one paw at a time.
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