Operation Freedom Paws

18 hours ago

Mentoring Monday: “Mindfulness” is part of our training at OFP. At the end of every class session we do what we call “puppy yoga”, an exercise involving the dogs. We engage all five of our senses, one at a time, while calmly stroking our dogs with alternating hands. There is science behind how this and other mindfulness exercises work to help us manage physical and psychological difficulties. Mindfulness is also referred to as “being in the moment”, which is pretty much where dogs live most of the time. This is not to say dogs don’t remember things (otherwise they’d be impossible to train) but they remember things in a different way than humans. Dog-walking time is a great opportunity for us to get in touch with that calm energy within ourselves---a time to let go of worries and memories and appreciate the connection with our dogs. Whether you’re in class or walking in your neighborhood, be aware of your surroundings by using your sense of sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. If you have a problem that keeps intruding, tell your dog about it. (They’re amazing at keeping our secrets.) Being able to vent to a non-judgmental audience will probably make you feel better, and you might even identify a solution! The attached link to a Mayo Clinic article has information that can help you introduce mindfulness into your life.

This photo shows service dog Blue helping his handler with pain management after surgery, reducing the amount of medication needed.

www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/mindfulness-exercises/art-20046356 ... See MoreSee Less