he bond between dog and man goes back thousands upon thousands of years. From hunting partners to lovable pets, it's not uncommon for a dog to be referred to as "man's best friend." Recently, those canine companions have become part of a healing process known as dog therapy.

According to Therapy Dogs International Inc., a New Jersey-based volunteer organization dedicated to regulating, testing and registering therapy dogs and their handlers, holding or petting an animal can contribute to lower blood pressure, the release of strain and tension, and can draw out a person from loneliness and depression.

Ann Jackson of Orangeburg said the process to become a therapy dog is taken very seriously. Jackson has been involved with TDI for 10 years.

In July 2005, her dog, Reagan, completed a 10-week regular obedience class and earned a Canine Good Citizen award. Reagan completed another four weeks of training and a total of eight observed visits by therapy dog observers before becoming a therapy dog.

Jackson adopted Reagan, a Shetland Sheepdog, in July 2004, following a period during which the pup had been abandoned and abused. She was 2 years old.

Jackson refers to Reagan's life as a "rags-to-riches" story, adding that with love, Reagan turned out to be a blessing in the lives of many people.

When Jackson relocated to Orangeburg from North Augusta in December 2006, she said she was disappointed to find out there was no therapy dog group in the area. She said she is still hoping for an obedience class to become available in the area that will provide Canine Good Citizen ce.jpgication.

For more than 30 years, TDI has carried out its mission to provide comfort and companionship by sharing dogs with patients in hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions and wherever else the therapy dog is needed. The organization is supported through annual membership dues. To belong to TDI, dogs must be tested and evaluated by a ce.jpgied TDI evaluator.

TDI registers all breeds of dogs. While some have pedigrees, other dogs have been adopted from local shelters or are rescue dogs, Jackson said. According to TDI, in 2006, more than 15,000 dogs and nearly 13,000 handlers were registered with TDI across the United States and Canada.

Reagan and Jackson visit Morningside Assisted Living of Orangeburg once a month. During the visit, Reagan performs a series of tricks, including one round of verbal command tricks such as "sit," "dance" and "shake," and she will even give Jackson a kiss on command. Reagan also performs hand-signal tricks with non-verbal commands from Jackson.

"It's just a blessing," Jackson said. "I know I am the one that's been blessed when we leave."

Jackson sings songs and shares little-known facts about dogs with the residents during her visit.

Morningside Program Service Director Kathy Blackwood said the residents look forward to the monthly visits.

"The residents love Reagan because a lot of them had dogs, and it triggers their memory," she said. "That's been good because it makes them reminisce."

Blackwood said when Reagan first began visiting Morningside, she was a bit timid around the residents, but she's become a little more at ease with each visit. She said Jackson has been very committed to visiting the residential facility each month.

"Ann has a love for the elderly, and she just wants to touch their lives in some way, and Reagan is her instrument for doing that," Blackwood said. "Ann is very personable, and they love her. She's picked up on the residents' personalities. She wants a relationship with them, and I've had good turnout for the activity."

During a recent dog therapy visit, Morningside resident Carolyn Royster said she loves for Reagan to come because she's so cute and friendly.

And, she said, each visit reminds her of home.

"I just love dogs, period," Royster said. "I always had a dog, and I really miss my dog."

T&D Features Writer Candace Newson can be reached by e-mail at cnewson@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5540. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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