Generations Hawaii

Man’s relationship with animals has been documented for at least 10,000 years. Cave drawings reveal that dogs were used for hunting other animals, for carrying loads on their backs, and to help guard people from attacks by enemy forces and wild animals. Somewhere in time, dogs were patted, most likely by a child. They wagged their tails in appreciation, and the bond with man began. By taming the dog and other animals, man himself became gentler.

Left: A trainer bonds with a recruit at Hawaii Canines for Independence. Photo by Ron Dahlquist. Above: As Dr. Miyahara says, animals arouse “the kindest and most generous impulses of humanity.”

Animals often have been revered as gods. For example, the Egyptians not only highly regarded cats as companions, but they considered them to be gods. Cats were pampered and worshipped because of their usefulness in controlling the population of rats and mice. The penalty for harming them was instant death, and when a household cat died, the family shaved their heads and eyebrows and mourned for months. Cats were mummified and a mouse would be placed in each mummy case, presumably for the cat’s pleasure in the next world.

Our bond with animals is a complex one that encompasses their use as food, signs of wealth and status, religious symbols, and pleasure and companionship. Quality of life for many people is not completely satisfied by work and association with other human beings; they look to animals to fulfill their needs for play, self-esteem, love, security, socializing, and physical and mental well-being.

Perhaps most importantly, animals are nonjudgmental. They accept us for who we are, with all our flaws. They lend a touch of graciousness to our lives because they bring out the kindest and most generous impulses of humanity.

When is a Dog More Than a Pet?

Echo goes everywhere with Ann Yoshida–even to the tennis court! Photo courtesy of Hawaii Canines for Independence.

REHAB Hospital patient Rory Tani enjoys spending time with Simba, who has played a big role in his recovery process. Photo courtesy of REHAB Hospital.

When they are Echo, Simba and the 60-plus other service dogs statewide that have made a big difference in the lives of people who need them.

Echo is a Portuguese water spaniel that will turn six in August. He has been “teamed up” for almost five years with Ann Yoshida, a dynamic young paraplegic who counts jewelry making, wheel throwing and wheelchair sports among her interests. “He helps me get out of bed, he turns on lights, he opens doors,” she says. “He motivates me to get up in the morning because he has needs, too. He also helps me emotionally; one way he does that is he breaks down barriers. People sometimes feel uncomfortable around those who are in wheelchairs, and they’re more likely to approach me and talk to me than if I didn’t have Echo to put them at ease.”

Among other things, Echo also accompanies Yoshida to appointments, dinner parties and special events. He even went to the kindergarten class she taught last year at Palisades Elementary School. “The kids absolutely adored him,” she says. “I used him as a reward—if they did something right, he’d do a trick or demonstrate one of his skills for them.”

Yoshida will leave in the summer for the University of Arizona, where she’ll work on her master’s degree in speech pathology. Of course, Echo will go with her. “He has been one of those blessings in my life that I don’t know what I would do without,” she says. “He continues to be a motivation to me and others with his desire to drive to the next level. What would life be without him? I can’t remember!”

Simba, a Golden Retriever that will be celebrating his second birthday in April, boosts the spirits of patients, staff members, medical personnel and visitors at the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific Monday through Friday. Last year, the hospital’s recreational therapist, Kate Church, approached the REHAB Foundation to propose getting a dog to assist in patients’ recovery. The purpose of the foundation is to enrich and enhance such programs, which are not covered by insurance, and its president, Ko Miyataki, fully supported it.

Physical therapist Mike Ebesu and his wife Dawn, an occupational therapist, were enlisted as Simba’s “parents” and completed training before welcoming him into their Hawaii Kai home. Before Simba arrived on Oahu from Hawaii Canines for Independence where he was trained (see sidebar on page 31), hospital staffers held a “doggie shower” for him, donating all sorts of toys and equipment. Once he came to REHAB, he immediately lifted the mood of the patients and staff.

According to Dr. Gary Okamoto, medical director at the REHAB Hospital, “Simba, like other service dogs, possesses the power to distract patients from their physical and emotional pain in ways that are natural, not pharmaceutical. They help ease patients’ feelings of tension, loneliness and despair, and contact with them provides physiological benefits such as lower blood pressure, muscle relaxation and less perceived pain.”

Daniel Ireland is a Big Island resident who is recovering from back surgery at REHAB Hospital. “It’s impossible to see Simba and not smile,” he says. “He makes physical therapy so much better. It’s fun to walk down the hall with a dog—and I miss mine back in Waimea, so I want to get home sooner!”—Elissa Josephsohn

ompanion animal partnership programs have blossomed in the United States, England, Europe, Australia and Japan in recent years, and the short-term assessment is they are very helpful in alleviating loneliness, stress, depression and sadness, especially with elderly people in nursing homes. Placing pets in nursing homes on a visitation basis or as permanent residents has been found to improve the mental well-being of many such patients. They look forward to petting, cuddling and hugging the animals; the contact brightens their day and makes it easier for them to communicate with other residents as well as doctors and nurses.

There are over 30 million people in the U.S. who are disabled, whether they suffer from vision or hearing impairment or have a loss or lack of physical mobility of their arms, legs or both extremities. Dogs trained specifically as service animals can play a significant role in helping persons with disabilities improve and enhance their lives.

Animals help children develop a nurturing instinct and understand the meaning of abundant and unconditional love. Photo above courtesy of Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii. Inset photos courtesy of Hawaii Fi-Do Service Dogs.

You’re likely aware of Seeing Eye dogs who serve as guides for those with vision impairments, but are you familiar with Hearing or Signal dogs who assist those who are deaf or hard of hearing? They are trained to detect sounds such as doorbells, smoke and fire alarms, crying babies, a ringing telephone and a whistling teakettle. The desired response is for the dog to go back and forth between the source of the sound and the deaf person. They also are trained to pick up and retrieve items that have fallen without the person’s knowledge.

Service dogs can facilitate independent living for people who lack physical mobility; that is, those who are confined to wheelchairs. They are taught to turn on lights, open doors, retrieve objects, and pull wheelchairs up ramps and over distances that would be difficult, if not impossible, for the individuals to accomplish by themselves. In short, by responding to over 90 different commands, they act as their owners’ arms, legs, eyes and ears, and provide warmth and friendship with no strings attached.

In fact, every person can benefit from the human/animal bond. Among other things, through the companionship of a pet:

In addition, studies have shown that people who own pets typically visit the doctor less often and use less medication. On average they have lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels, recover more quickly from illnesses and surgery, handle stressful situations better and are less likely to feel lonely. In short, animals can lead us down the road to better health.

Allen Y. Miyahara, DVM, MS, has enjoyed a 52-year career in veterinary medicine in Honolulu. He served as vice president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) from 1995 to 1997, and has frequently lectured on this topic throughout the U.S. and Pacific Rim. Dr. Miyahara also served as a professor in the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources’ Department of Animal Science at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Although he’s now retired, he’s still an active member of the AVMA and dedicated to helping train veterinary professionals in Asia.

Furry Friends

Hawaii Canines for Independence
Based on Maui, this organization provides dogs that are trained to respond to over 90 different commands. These animals give persons with disabilities the freedom and confidence to live more independent lives. HCI also provides “social therapy dogs” for special-needs children and residents of nursing homes, and is affiliated with top guide dog and hearing dog programs. (808) 250-5799; www.hawaiicanines.com.

Hawaii Fi-Do Service Dogs
This nonprofit organization trains assistance dogs to provide physical, psychological and therapeutic support for people who face the daily challenges of life with a disability other than blindness. One of its unique programs involves using at-risk youth for puppy training and socialization. Its innovative “Read to Willie Program” motivates reluctant young readers to read to certified therapy dogs. 638-0200; www.hawaiifido.org.

Hawaiian Humane Society Pet Visitation Program
Hawaiian Humane Society volunteers and their pets (including dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs and rabbits) regularly visit patients in 25 hospitals, rehabilitation centers, hospices and other care facilities on Oahu. The benefits from such visits include reduced anxiety and despair, relief from loneliness, psychological and emotional healing, restored self-worth and lower blood pressure. 356-2217; www.hawaiianhumanesociety.org.

Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii
A member of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii helps change and enrich the lives of individuals with physical, emotional and learning disabilities using horses as a tool. Studies have shown riding horses can improve muscle tone, balance, posture, coordination, motor development and emotional well-being. 259-7107; http://thhwaimanalo.org.

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