Zane has only been on duty for a few days, but Pathstone Mental Health’s newest team member is already fitting in with his colleagues. Just quieter and fluffier than they may be used to. Last week, Pathstone Mental Health welcomed its newest team member, Zane, a two-year-old male standard poodle, to its Branscombe Health Centre.
Trained by Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, Zane will work under contract for Pathstone, offering comfort and care to clients and staff as its facility support dog. In a media release, Pathstone said Zane is a task-trained service animal who provides support through a calming presence, deep pressure holds (hugs) and other icebreaker skills. He will work with Pathstone therapists through animal assisted therapy, “which can entail having him provide affection to clients, using him for social learning about regulation, and also teaching about behaviourism.
” Shaun Baylis, Pathstone chief executive officer, said it recognizes how pet support therapy plays an “integral treatment role” with children and youths. “Zane has become quite the attraction, and people naturally gravitate to his pleasant, warm and caring disposition. We are beyond grateful for the support from the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs and our amazing pet care team,” said Baylis in the release.
Pathstone Mental Health welcomed Zane to its Branscombe Health Centre. Zane was trained by the Lions Foundation, a charity that provides fully funded services. Its programmi.