warm and fuzzy

By Laura Marrocco for SeriousFun Children’s Network

We often say that one of the many benefits of attending camp for a child is that they make new friends. At a few SeriousFun camps, those “friends” might also have wet noses and fur. While each SeriousFun camp offers traditional activities such as arts and crafts, fishing and archery, camps are encouraged to be innovative in the types of non-traditional programs offered. Three in particular have established pet therapy programs, which provide campers with a variety of benefits, including unconditional love, a sense of responsibility and, in some cases, an opportunity for kinship relating to illness.

Double H Ranch
At Double H Ranch, Dog Therapy is a unique way to introduce kids to new responsibilities. Therapy dogs come about four times a summer and wander freely from program to program. Kids are able to visit the dogs at their leisure, and have the opportunity to take dogs on walks, give them treats, and “teach” them how to sit, give paw, etc. “It is really therapeutic for kids”, a staff member at Double H shared, “During a winter weekend, one of the dogs even went sledding with a camper. It was really cool to see the camper and dog make such a strong bond.”

Camp Korey
Dog Therapy is part of a larger “Pet Therapy” program at Camp Korey, which also includes llamas and pygmy horses. During the summer, campers have the opportunity to visit with Pet Therapy animals on Opening Day, as well as during one additional point in their camp week. Program highlights include specialized “playing cards” for each animal that campers receive to get kisses from a llama, and “warm fuzzies” (special notes, inspiring messages, etc.) from the therapy dogs. One story shared by a Camp Korey staffer, shows just how meaningful the program can be to a child.

Jake is a big, loveable, yellow Labrador Retriever that comes to camp. One day, a camper was visiting with Jake, and his trainer asked, ‘Do you notice anything a little different about this dog?’ Jake rolled over to show the camper that he only had three legs. The camper couldn’t stop expressing his amazement, and eventually explained, ‘You know what is so wild!? I have had three kidney surgeries. Jake has three different legs, and I have had three different kidneys.’”

The Pet Therapy program at Camp Korey is an integral part of the mission and healing power of camp. In addition to the summer session programs, Camp Korey is home to Aussie, a residential facility dog who has been known to visit campers who are a bit homesick, or who are visiting the camp medical center. Aussie is also a part of Camp Korey’s Community Outreach programs and family weekends.

Camp Boggy Creek
Therapy Dogs fit easily into the mission at Camp Boggy Creek. Dogs and owners visit campers during both family weekends, and select summer sessions, allowing an opportunity for campers to experience the unconditional love that therapy dogs can offer. Camp Director David Mann says, “Therapy Dogs can interact with anyone and everyone.” Caring Canines, the organization that visits Camp Boggy Creek, lists many different benefits of Therapy Dog visitations, including relief from loneliness or depression as well as increased conversation and interaction.