We want you to feel right at home as you follow us here on Barefoot Bluff, so it's time for you meet our cast of characters. When we say characters, we really mean it. Each of our animals plays an integral part in making our homes fun, joyful and peaceful. Mostly they give us lots of reasons to smile and sometimes out and out belly laugh. Now that's therapy!
As we prepare to launch our podcast in a few short weeks we are excited to schedule interviews with some great experts in the animal therapy world. You will be able to learn alongside us how we can incorporate animals into a lifestyle of therapy. We love the quote circulating out there, “All animals are therapy. Some are just freelancing”. It’s true, God has blessed animals with an innate sense that can often bring healing by their very presence , but we also know there are ways we can train our animals to help even more strategically . It could be in those moments when anxiety takes hold, or for a child who is prone to tantrums. Perhaps you need an extra dose of joy at the end of the day when you’re struggling with depression, overwhelming worry, emotions, or PTSD. In a wide variety of circumstances, dogs can play a huge role in our healing and we believe God created them for that purpose, not to mention the many other jobs they do to make our lives better!
So back to our cast of characters, they are the goofy, lovable great danes that came into our lives two years ago. Experiencing their interactions with us and the kids sparked this idea of intentionally training our animals to be used in a therapeutic way.
Max is a gentle giant who loves laying in the sun and his daily back rubs. One of our kiddo’s, we call him Superman, constantly desires to control situations and loves being a leader. He has thrived by training Max and taking control if Max needs correction. Max has become a resource for Superman to have control in a healthy way.
Minnie is our lovable and often goofy girl. She makes us laugh when she gets her “zummies” out running around the yard as though she's on a race track, but she will also calmly lay beside you, especially when a kiddo is having a hard time.
Both of these pups love to be loved. When they nudge their nose under your arm or gently lay their head on your lap for some affection we find they give us just what we need when we didn’t even realize we needed it.
"But ask the animals, and they will instruct you; ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will instruct you; let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? The life of every living thing is in his hand, as well as the breath of all humanity."
Job 12:7-10
What sweet dogs you have! Dogs really do know how to read our emotions and were made by God to love and comfort us. I'm excited to meet more of the farm animals!