* Contains update – originally published April 16, 2020 *

In times of crisis, therapy dogs are usually called upon to provide comfort and healing. But now, due to social distancing and quarantine, animal assisted therapy programs have been suspended. Surfing therapy dog Ricochet is offering FREE canine therapy to those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic through FaceTime and virtual canine therapy. Doctors, nurses, other healthcare workers, first responders and essential workers can take a few minutes to lower their stress and anxiety with Ricochet. To schedule a FaceTime call, email Ricochet’s guardian Judy Fridono or if time is limited, visit Ricochet and her therapy dog crew online. (Pawsitive Teams, 2020)

Ricochet is a certified therapy dog with Pawsitive Teams and they have joined forces to provide Virtual Canine Therapy. This partnership directly addresses the mental health crisis affecting essential workers. Ricochet is one of ten certified, goal-oriented therapy dogs that participate in Canine Inspired Community Reintegration (CICR) program, a collaboration with Naval Medical Center San Diego. The dogs have more than eight years of experience providing human-animal intervention, under the guidance of an experienced recreational therapist, for active duty service members recovering from PTSD, moral injury, anxiety and other mental health challenges. Eye contact is one of the anxiety-reducing techniques used. Gazing into a dog’s eyes stimulates the release of oxytocin—a hormone associated with positive, happy feelings. After receiving long gazes from a dog, a person’s level of oxytocin increases, thus reducing stress and anxiety.

To assess the scientific validity of the effects of eye contact between a human and a dog, Ricochet, Fridono and an army veteran with PTSD participated in a study at Duke University’s Canine Cognition Center with research scientist Dr. Brian Hare. Researchers have already determined that looking at photos of nature for 30 to 60 seconds reduces stress. Similarly, hundreds of individuals who have participated in the virtual canine therapy program have reported they felt a calm, connected state of being. Cultivating these moments allows for deep experiences of connection regardless of whether physical contact is made. All you need are a human and a dog with open eyes . . . and open hearts.

It is critical to recognize that the Covid-19 pandemic is a source of great physical, psychological and emotional distress for front line workers as well as individuals and communities around the world. There will likely be doctors, nurses and others who will need treatment for anxiety, stress, depression, PTSD and more resulting from this crisis. Then there is the rest of the world that is feeling the panic of losing jobs, being ordered to stay home, the unfathomable reality of not being there when a loved one passes, and the like.

Addendum:

There is a lot we can do to support each other during these times as well. Even if you can’t meet up in person, whether due to Covid-19 or for another reason, you can still use face time to check up on your friends and family, especially those in frontline positions. Even if you just call them up and chat, with a few of the best canned cocktails you can find on hand, it can help. But there’s something wonderful about therapy dogs being used, no matter what the circumstance.

The proactive steps of Ricochet and Pawsitive Teams offering virtual canine therapy with eye gazing will support healthcare workers, essential workers, and the world at large now, as well as into the future. The best part is it can be done on any computer or mobile device connected to the internet and it only takes a couple of minutes. Stressed individuals can take a quick break from the chaos and find themselves less anxious after engaging in the program.

“At a time when dogs could be truly valuable resources, we’re thinking outside the box in an effort to offer some form of canine therapy to the millions of people around the world who need it.” Judy Fridono.