Dogs, volunteers in Baton Rouge pet therapy program bring smiles, help people relax

Michael Scheidt
·3 min read

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – A nonprofit organization primarily serving Baton Rouge is bringing pet therapy to local schools, libraries and retirement communities.

Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy, formally known as LCCOC Pet Therapy, started in 1984 and is now made up of dogs and their owners who volunteer. Bayou Buddies has 25 animals at their disposal. Breeds include border collies, St. Bernards, dachshunds, cavalier King Charles spaniels and standard poodles.

The program’s mission is “to brighten someone’s day through the human-animal experience,” said Maribeth Andereck, coordinator of Bayou Buddies.

“We are a recognized American Kennel Club, or AKC pet therapy program as a part of the Louisiana Capital City Obedience Club,” she said.

Nuns train therapy dog to bring comfort and joy to Catholic elementary school in Baton Rouge

Andereck said their “dogs are not emotional support dogs, nor are they service animals.”

Before a dog and its owner can be a part of Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy, they must complete the AKC Canine Good Citizen class and be evaluated by Andereck.

The coordinator of Bayou Buddies said she looks at these characteristics and skills when evaluating canines and their owners:

  • Accepting a friendly stranger.

  • Sitting politely for petting.

  • Appearance and grooming.

  • Walking on a loose leash.

  • Walking through a crowd.

  • Sitting and getting down on command or staying in place.

  • Coming when called.

  • Reactions to other dogs or distractions.

  • How they handle separation.

When it comes to which pets perform better in therapy situations, temperament matters, Andereck said. The animals “need to be well-behaved and follow the commands of” their owner and “need to be comfortable around other dogs and people of all ages,” she continued.

The goal is not only to share the dogs with the community but also to build relationships between the volunteers and the organizations they work with. Overall, they increase awareness of and education on pet therapy’s benefits.

Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy also helps the community in various ways, including promoting literacy through school visits and reducing stress for students and airport travelers, Andereck said.

They visit the Episcopal Elementary School Library and St. Joseph Academy. Andereck said they also “attend events involving veterans, service members, and children of deployed military parents each year at VA facilities, summer camps and senior care communities for veterans.”

Five dogs with Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy are pictured at Williamsburg Senior Living.
Five dogs with Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy are pictured at Williamsburg Senior Living. They are from left to right, Cricket (border collie), Malarkey (border collie), Ranger (Welsh Pembroke Corgi), Wings Cooper (Teddy Roosevelt Terrier), and Ryder (St. Bernard). (Photo courtesy of Maribeth Andereck)
Dogs from Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy are visiting residents at Christopher Addiction Center.
Dogs from Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy are visiting residents at Christopher Addiction Center. They are from left to right, Ryder (St. Bernard), Malarkey (border collie), Toshi (Shiba Inu), Wings Cooper (Teddy Roosevelt Terrier), K.T. (Golden Retriever) and Ozzie (American Hairless Terrier). (Photo courtesy of Maribeth Andereck)
Cricket, an 8-year-old border collie with Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy sits outside before going into St. Clare Manor.
Cricket, an 8-year-old border collie with Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy sits outside before going into St. Clare Manor. (Photo courtesy of Maribeth Andereck)
Clyde, a Newfoundland with Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy visits a resident at St. Clare Manor.
Clyde, a Newfoundland with Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy visits a resident at St. Clare Manor. (Photo courtesy of Maribeth Andereck)
Suzie-Q, a white Labrador retriever with Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy receives pets from residents at Southside Gardens Senior Living.
Suzie-Q, a white Labrador retriever with Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy receives pets from residents at Southside Gardens Senior Living. (Photo courtesy of Maribeth Andereck)
Toshi, a Shiba Inu with Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy receives pets from the residents at Claiborne Senior Living.
Toshi, a Shiba Inu with Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy receives pets from residents at the Claiborne Senior Living. (Photo courtesy of Maribeth Andereck)
Cricket, a border collie with Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy listens to a student read at the Episcopal Elementary School library.
Cricket, a border collie with Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy listens to a student read at the Episcopal Elementary School library. (Photo courtesy of Maribeth Andereck)
Micky, a Havanese with Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy is held by a resident at Williamsburg Senior Living.
Micky, a Havanese with Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy is held by a resident at Williamsburg Senior Living. (Photo courtesy of Maribeth Andereck)
Tonka, a standard poodle with Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy receives pets from the residents at Williamsburg Senior Living.
Tonka, a standard poodle with Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy receives pets from the residents at Williamsburg Senior Living. (Photo courtesy of Maribeth Andereck)

If you are interested in having a dog from Bayou Buddies Pet Therapy visit your facility, contact Andereck at bayoubuddiespettherapy@gmail.com.

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