"I believe that dogs are the greatest gift God gave humans," says Erin Marr, owner of Camp Bow Wow, a day and overnight camp for dogs.
Anyone who has ever loved a dog knows the immense joy that comes with it. The iconic imagery of a boy and his dog running, playing and journeying through life together is recounted in numerous books and movies. We see the boy experiencing his rites of passage, always with his companion, faithful unto the end. It may be thought that we are the heroes when we adopt a dog or puppy, and we are because adoption is a selfless act, but indeed, we are the beneficiaries. "Whether you are a single person, empty nester, widowed or have a family, dogs become a part of that. They are a constant source of happiness, joy and smiles, and they are reliably a member of your family. Especially for people who are alone, dogs fill a huge void that the absence of a person leaves. They become like a child to people and to diminish that in any way is too bad," says Erin.
The connection between dogs and humans is undeniable. As numerous studies have shown, the bond between dogs and humans is created and nurtured. Oxytocin is one of the feel-good chemicals that our bodies release upon touch, which is also true of dogs. Scientists studied oxytocin levels in dogs and their owners while interacting and concluded that the levels of oxytocin increased in both the dog and the owner. This is the same hormone that bonds a baby with his mother and plays a huge role in social bonding. To that end, it is significant that your dog receives affection and touch to create a healthy connection.
More than merely companions, many rely on their four-legged friends for physical and emotional assistance. Likely the most familiar assistance dog is the service dog. Service dogs are, according to the A.D.A, "defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities." These dogs are trained to, among other services, assist someone who is blind, assist someone who is deaf, alert their person to a seizure, and calm their person with anxiety.
"The beauty of Frederick is that all of the things that dogs can be utilized for, in a healthy therapeutic way, are being employed," says Erin. The A.D.A. defines emotional support dogs as "dogs that provide comfort and support in forms of affection and companionship for an individual suffering from various mental and emotional conditions. They are meant solely for emotional stability and unconditional love." Erin says, "These dogs are essential when working with children and trauma. The Child Advocacy Center of Frederick has adopted a therapy dog that supports the children they are working to help. He can be on-hand when a child needs to testify in court or sit alongside and be a calming influence during stressful events. Stauffer Funeral Home, too, has a therapy dog that lives there, and that dog has proven to be a friend to people who are grieving. You can imagine how helpful this could be. The act of petting a dog reduces blood pressure. Having a dog on hand in that capacity, when someone is going through the loss, is really helpful." As Erin said earlier, dogs really are a gift from heaven.
Erin opened Camp Bow Wow's doors last March, and it has quickly become the go-to place for boarding and daycare in Frederick. She has always felt a deep connection to dogs and is living her dream of caring for them in her new state-of-the-art facility. Camp Bow Wow has large indoor play areas that are split for large and small breeds of dogs. Throughout the day, the dogs are played with by Certified Camp Counselors who are extensively trained in dog behavior, pet CPR and pet first aid. The dogs are in great hands and have lots of dog and human interaction for mental stimulation and socialization. Erin says, “A tired dog is a good dog. After camp, they are tired and have no energy to be naughty!" CampBowWow.com