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Calamity Jane


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Ethel's sister (litter mate) Jane aka Calamity Jane had a write up in the Neurology Now magazine Feb.- Mar. 2016 edition. :wub:

 

 

PETS FOR PARKINSON'S

 

Larry Schneider Jr., a musician in Gibbsboro, NJ, 45, was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's disease in 2003. After two deep brain stimulation surgeries, during which electrical leads were implanted in his brain to stimulate areas that control movement to reduce symptoms such as shaking, he is almost completely free of tremors. But he still has trouble controlling his legs, and walking, standing, and balance can be challenging.

 

Calamity Jane, a Great Dane who joined the family in November 2014, helps him with that. Adopted from Service Dog Project, Inc., a nonprofit organization in Ipswich, MA, that trains Great Danes to help people with mobility problems, Calamity Jane and Schneider had a shaky start.The dog seemed uncomfortable and hesitant around Schneider initially. However, once Schneider slipped the service vest on Calamity Jane, her demeanor changed immediately. “It's as if she knew to set aside her fears and complete the tasks she was trained to do,” he says. She walks on his left side when he uses his walker or scooter at whatever pace he's moving. If he freezes, a common symptom of Parkinson's disease, she gives him a nudge. She does that either by pulling on the leash or pawing at the stopped foot, explains Beth Vernaleo, PhD, associate director of research programs at the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. “People can get a bit stuck, and they need some cues to help get them moving again,” she says.

 

Calamity Jane has helped in other ways, says Schneider's wife, Jennifer. “She gives him purpose to get up, dress, put braces on his legs, socks and shoes on his feet, and start the day,” she says. Schneider agrees. “Calamity Jane is living, breathing medicine. She helps me in my daily struggle and its related complications, like depression.”

 

Schneider's neurologist, Tsao-Wei Liang, MD, an associate professor at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, says Schneider is more confident and independent since Calamity Jane joined the family. Seeing his improvement has renewed Dr. Liang's interest in therapy dogs. “I recommend service animals to my patients with Parkinson's disease, but I need to do it more. There are so many patients who could benefit from this,” he says, adding that he recently attended a seminar on service animals and left feeling energized.

 

“There's so much potential. We just have to tap it.”

 

Heather Cianci, PT, a founding therapist at the Dan Aaron Parkinson's Rehabilitation Center at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, who works with the Schneider family, often brings therapy animals into treatment sessions. Patients who are anxious about their tremors grow calmer if they pet an animal. In the later stages of Parkinson's disease, when people have difficulty grasping objects or are moving more slowly, she'll suggest they take a brush and groom a dog.

 

“For people who have had so much taken away from them by their disease, the dog provides undying love and companionship,” she says. “Now they have someone to take care of. It provides them with another reason to be as safe and independent as possible.”

 

Edited: Forgot the link. https://patients.aan.com/resources/neurologynow/index.cfm?event=home.showArticle&id=ovid%2Ecom%3A%2Fbib%2Fovftdb%2F01222928%2D201612010%2D00023

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Edited by Jeepers
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