Pawsitively Changing Lives: Birmingham VA Welcomes Taryn
Taryn, a two-year-old female Labrador Retriever, recently joined the staff at the Birmingham VA Health Care System as a trained and certified facility dog.
She works alongside her partners, Physical Therapist Leesa Miles and Occupational Therapist Casey Church, daily at the Birmingham VA clinic, assisting their patients during physical and occupational therapy treatments. Taryn’s goal is to motivate chronic pain patients going through the Pain Rehabilitation Outpatient Program and promote participation in active therapies by retrieving items for patients, playing fetch, or going for a walk. She can also reduce anxiety by providing deep pressure across a patient’s lap or body or by just providing companionship during treatments.
“We are so excited to have Taryn join our team to work as the Birmingham VA facility dog,” says Leesa Miles, Taryn’s primary handler. “Taryn loves to get attention from people and enjoys working as a VA employee during the day. She is always in a good mood and eager to greet employees, Veterans, and their families.”
Taryn was raised and trained by Canine Companions for the first two years of her life, and it was there she learned the skills required to be a facility service dog. A Canine Companions facility dog is bred to be calm, reliable, and affectionate and is trained to perform over 30 service dog commands including picking up items, opening doors and providing calming pressure across the lap or body. Their skills are utilized to enhance therapies, promote participation, and reduce anxiety. Since their founding in 1975, Canine Companions has trained and placed over 8,000 service dogs at no cost.
“Canine Companions has been a great organization to work with,” says handler Casey Church. “They trained us to be facility dog handlers and confidently utilize the tasks Taryn is trained to do during a two-week training class before we were matched with Taryn. We also participate in on-going training and are involved in their graduate support program.”
Although her primary duties take place in the clinical setting, Taryn is inpatient and outpatient certified and enjoys visiting with Veterans, their families, and caregivers at the medical center as well.
“Taryn is an asset for us at the Birmingham VA because she provides unconditional emotional support, affection and snuggles to our Veterans and staff,” Miles says. “Going to a medical appointment or being in the hospital can be a stressful event but seeing her furry face and wagging tail can immediately help put you at ease. In fact, studies show that just petting a dog lowers blood pressure and stress hormones.”
As the primary handler, Miles carries the responsibility of caring, providing for and protecting Taryn at home and work. This includes sixty minutes of exercise and two meals with supplements daily, brushing her coat and teeth, nail trimming, bathing, and frequent trips outside. Additionally, Taryn must always be with one of her handlers unless she is in her crate, per Canine Companion.
“Taryn’s hygiene and safety are top priorities,” says Miles. “It is important that we keep her at her ideal weight to make sure she is healthy and can continue to work with us for a long time. We also must ensure that those interacting with her follow proper rules and guidelines for her safety and the safety of others.”
Although Taryn has stepped into a big role with many responsibilities, she was eager for the opportunity to prove she is more than just her puppy dog eyes.
“Canine Companions is a dog-eat-dog type of program that only selects the best,” barks Taryn. “My training has prepared me for this. It is a great honor to be the first facility dog in the history of the Birmingham VA and I look forward to serving our Veterans for years to come.”