I have found that when one is drugged and bedridden, one can actually learn quite a bit from daytime television. For instance, after watching the reruns of the good old days of America’s Funniest Home Videos, I’ve learned that the show is nothing without Bob Saget. The man was an overdubbing god.

Also, Ellen is somewhat odd. But I guess I already knew that.

But the very very best part of daytime TV is this awesome show called Real Life 101. It’s this cheesy talk show for teenagers where they go and interview a bunch of different people each episode and find out what their job is like. It’s supposed to help you decide which way to travel on your “road of life” after high school. The hosts are so annoying I want to punch them, but holy frijoles this is a cool show! Ever wonder what it’s like to be an Orthodontist? Episode 59! What do Rabbis do when they’re not Rabbi-ing? Episode 63! Thought about becoming a magazine editor? Or ever wondered how hard it is to be a Search and Rescue volunteer? Episode 66!

Where was this show when I was a delicate young thing looking into my future? Well, after watching Episode 60, I discovered that maybe there are some amazing things I can do and still be a stay at home mom. In the episode I watched, they featured a woman who trains assistance dogs. When Annoying Jillian was wrapping up the episode, she rattled off a few other types of service dogs that I have never heard of, but that sounded really interesting. I Googled the term “facility dog” and found my new calling.

A Facility Dog, otherwise known as an Emotional Service Dog, is an animal trained to provide a calm, loving companion for someone in need. A volunteer will take their dog to all kinds of places, such as schools, nursing homes, and hospitals where the dog will do anything from a brief visit to cheer up a nursing home resident to sitting quietly while a physical therapy patient grooms and pets the dog to help with their therapy. Some dogs have helped reluctant readers find motivation and a loving reading companion. Others have encouraged troubled students to feel more confident and learn to follow instruction. The basic idea is to use an animal who gives nothing but unconditional love, and bring some joy and a little variety into the lives of people who need it. Non-profit groups like Therapy Dogs International provide strict guidelines and testing procedures to certify a dog as an Emotional Service Dog, and then help their volunteers connect with places in their area that are interested in having visits from a dog.

I can’t believe I didn’t know about all of this before. This is perfect for me. I can’t begin to imagine the rewards that would come from being involved in such a labor of love. And what a fantastic opportunity for my girls to help in their community and gain some amazing skills of their own. Of course… I don’t technically have a dog yet. That seems like kind of a road block. But I’m going to do some more research on programs in our area, and hopefully observe some of these dogs in action, and when the time comes I’m sure the right dog will find me somehow.

Thank you, Annoying Jillian. Thank you, Real Life 101. And thank you daytime television, for being the bearer of such cheesy wonderful information. This is going to be slow in evolving, because there is a lot to think about and prepare for, but I am so excited. This could really be a life-changing experience.

Tags: [Facility Dog] [Bob Saget] [daytime television]