Local News 	
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Animal magnetism: Dogs are great therapy for patients
By Katherine Didriksen
Special Correspondent

March 30, 2003

NORWALK -- Minnie Pearl snuggled with as many fellers as she could 
find in the Lower Fairfield County Regional Center.
Unlike her country comedian namesake, she was not searching for a
husband. This Minnie is a 6-month-old Pomeranian.

  Along with her owner, Debbie Procaccini of Stamford, Minnie Pearl 
interacted with residents at the center during Longshore/Southport
Kennel Club dog obedience and breed handling classes last week. 
The kennel began the series in the center's gymnasium three weeks ago.
The Lower Fairfield County Regional Center houses 72 residents, 
ages 20 to 50, with mental and physical disabilities.
  
  The partnership between the two groups developed through a pet
therapy program established about seven months ago. As dog-resident 
interaction grew, the center offered the use of their gym to the 
kennel club, which was seeking a home for its community programs.

"This is a win-win situation here for the residents and the 
kennel club . . . and the community," said Procaccini, whose 
twin nephews, BJ and Marc, reside at the center.Each week, 
the kennel club holds breed handling, puppy and beginner classes 
in front of the "kids," as the residents are called. As classes 
progress, the residents may pet or walk the dogs outside the 
learning area. There is open floor time, during which professionals
 may practice for shows and wow the audience.

  "The goal of it is to involve the community, all the community, 
the elderly, the handicapped, in the joy of having a dog," 
Procaccini said. She has raised Pomeranians with her husband, Jim,
for the past five years."We're trying to encourage community 
integration here," said Maria Rios, a rehab therapy assistant 
at the center. She said that by offering the gymnasium, the residents 
were giving back to society. Groups of residents take turns each week
for pet visits, though arrangements are made for those demonstrating 
great response to pet therapy to receive more exposure.

  Rios said pet therapy is becoming a more common treatment for 
those with mental disability. "The response the residents get . . . 
it's a whole sensory experience," she said. Some residents who 
previously showed signs of nervousness around dogs have begun 
walking them. Others enjoy the feel of the animals' soft coats.

  "I see it as all positive," said Jo de Menna of Wilton, a board
member at Longshore/Southport Kennel Club. "We're giving to them
and they're giving to us." The Longshore/Southport Kennel Club was
established in 1932, when two local groups combined under one name 
to hold a show. Catering to residents of Norwalk, Stamford, Westport
and Wilton, it has 55 members.

  As the evening came to a close, Procaccini sat with her dogs
-- Gordon, a brown Pomeranian named for race car driver Jeff Gordon,
escorted Minnie Pearl that evening -- and smiled.Interaction with 
the residents is better than winning a dog-show championship, 
Procaccini said."You think you're going there to do good work, 
and you wind up feeling like you've been given a gift." 
Copyright © 2003, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc