Elizabeth St. Martin, a brain injury patient, finds it hard to ignore Charlie, a certified therapy dog.  Once he has her attention, she eagerly walks the dog with the help of  certifeid servicde dog trainer Glenn Smith, occupational therapist Laura Barnes and therapy aide Brain Caccavo.

Pet-assisted therapy helps patients like Elizabeth forget for a time that they are afraid to stand, afraid to talk, afraid to fail.  Work becomes play.

 
Breaking through barriers of pain and fear to motivate patients to higher levels of achievement is the specialty of more than a dozen dogs in Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital's Pet-assisted Therapy Program.  Under the guidance of trainer Glenn Smith, every dog and owner undergoes intensive instruction in how to support therapists.

"Most patients, particularly those with brain injuries who are less responsive, come out of their shell when a dog snuggles close," says physical therapist Samantha Weber. "It's not hard to get them to throw a ball with a weakened arm, or to stand to take the dog for a walk.  One dog responds to word commands, so patients are eager to learn those words.  The dogs do the coaxing."

2006 Annual Report