Therapy puppies are offering support and relaxation to speed skaters during training sessions, according to staff from DogsWork, an organization that trains therapy dogs.
Schaatsen.nl, a Dutch skating news outlet, reports on the presence of three young puppies named Pixel, Bibian, and Ollie, who interact with athletes by allowing them to pet and cuddle the dogs for stress relief.
Maud Jacobs, a representative from DogsWork, explains that Ollie, who is nearly five months old, is being trained to eventually join a family with children who have autism. This weekend, however, Ollie and the other puppies are serving a different role by providing comfort to speed skaters for short periods during their training. Petting the dogs is said to promote the release of calming chemicals in the body, helping athletes to relax.
The impact of the puppies’ presence is often noticeable quickly. Jacobs recounts instances where athletes preferred to spend extra time with the dogs, even over scheduled training sessions. One coach acknowledged the benefit of the dogs, allowing an athlete to continue interacting with them when he felt the effect was as valuable as a training session. Another skater remarked that the support from the puppies contributed to achieving a third place finish that day.
DogsWork has been breeding and training therapy dogs for 15 years, focusing on traits such as intelligence, human-oriented behavior, and hypoallergenic qualities. Jacobs emphasizes that the dogs enjoy working with people and have a strong desire to please. To ensure the well-being of the puppies, each has a dedicated handler and participates in short sessions lasting about an hour, after which they rest. The dogs appear to enjoy the attention and frequently lie relaxed while being petted.
