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Munster, IN Woman With MS Receives Champions of Courage Grant For Animal Therapy Program
Washington, DC, July 12, 2004 – Janet Marich, 55, of Munster, IN, who was diagnosed with MS in 1991, recently received a Betaseron® Champions of CourageSM (BCC) grant to organize an animal-assisted therapy program for people with MS. She believes that the Power Paws for MS program will help to improve participants’ self-worth and reduce feelings of depression. She will begin with five volunteer handler/dog teams and provide services to at least twelve program participants over a one-year period. Power Paws for MS begins in August 2004 in individual homes and other accessible locations in Northwest Indiana and Chicago.
“We are pleased to support Janet’s Power Paws for MS program,” said Eric Simons, chairman of the Betaseron® Champions of Courage program. “Not only will the participants and volunteers benefit from the experience, but we hope the success of this initiative will inspire other communities to adopt similar programs.”
Power Paws Empowers the MS Community
Janet Marich lived with MS for years before she told anyone beyond family and close friends about her disease. The sudden death of her husband in 2000 made her realize that she needed support from others. She also felt a desire to help fellow community members with MS.
The idea for Power Paws for MS came naturally to Marich. In her professional career with a local mental health organization, she managed an animal-assisted therapy program to help children with emotional disorders and other at-risk youth. In 2001, Marich received the Tipper Gore Remember the Children Volunteer Award from the National Mental Health Association for her dedication to this and other programs benefiting children and families.
Marich’s worsening MS symptoms forced an early retirement from her job in 2003. She made accommodations such as moving to a house on one level, pacing her activities and getting adequate rest to help manage her fatigue, cognitive issues, headaches and walking problems. “I had to try very hard to be aware of my limitations, yet not let them get in the way of living a productive life,” recalls Marich.
With time on her hands and a determination to continue contributing in a meaningful way, Marich applied for a Betaseron Champions of Courage grant to organize an animal-assisted therapy program for people with MS. She was notified in April 2004 that her proposal was chosen for funding.
More than a visitation program, Power Paws for MS is a goal-directed intervention, designed to promote improvement in physical, social, emotional and cognitive functioning. Individuals with MS are matched with qualified volunteer/dog teams for weekly therapy. Goals for therapy are established in consultation with each client’s health care team, and progress is measured in areas such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, memory, socialization and self-sufficiency. Activities vary depending on individual needs, but may include brushing the dog, walking the dog, teaching the animal tricks and playing games like “catch.” For example, teaching dogs agility skills such as jumping through a hoop or running through a tunnel using one-word commands is not only gratifying, but can also improve memory, concentration, confidence and self-esteem. The dogs include show dogs and mixed breeds, large dogs and small dogs, depending upon the needs of the client. All volunteer handler and animal teams complete extensive training and pass a skills and aptitude evaluation.
“I believe Power Paws for MS will be especially effective in addressing self-esteem, socialization skills, anxiety, depression, anger and trust and loss issues,” says Marich. “Volunteers and their dogs make people feel safe, loved and worthwhile. And they develop a lasting bond with program participants – the volunteers and their dogs get as much out of the experience as do the clients!”
Champions of Courage
Funded by a grant from Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the Betaseron® Champions of Courage program recognizes the accomplishments of people with MS and provides grants to help them achieve their goals and inspire others. Since the program was introduced in 1999, nearly 40 women and men have received grants to underwrite initiatives that have encouraged and helped others.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that randomly attacks the central nervous system, affecting the brain and spinal cord, wearing away control over the body. Symptoms may range from numbness to paralysis and blindness. Though no cure yet exists, there are now therapies available that can impact underlying disease course as well as manage symptoms. MS affects more than a third of a million people in the U.S. alone, with someone being newly diagnosed virtually each hour.
For more information about applying for a Betaseron® Champions of Courage grant, visit www.championsofcourage.org, or call 202/363-3378.
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Contact: |
Liz Garman Betaseron® Multiple Sclerosis Champions of CourageSM Telephone: 202/363-3378 E-Mail: info@championsofcourage.org |
