Why Esther Is Learning the “Head Down” Skill for Bed-Bound Clients

Training Esther for therapy work has opened my eyes to how even the smallest skills can bring comfort to someone who truly needs it. One of the most meaningful cues Esther’s trainers and I are working on right now is “head down,” a gentle position where Esther rests her head close enough for someone to pet her without needing to sit up, reach, or strain.

For clients who cannot get out of bed or who have minimal mobility, this skill is not just helpful; it’s essential. And because safety and infection control always come first, Esther and I practice this with protective barriers, just as we will use them in real healthcare, hospice, and long-term care settings.

Bringing Comfort Within Reach

Many people we will meet during therapy visits may be:

Bed-bound
Recovering from surgery
Attached to medical equipment
Experiencing pain, weakness, or fatigue
At the end of life

For them, even reaching out can be exhausting. By teaching Esther to gently move her head closer to the client, she becomes accessible to everyone, not just those who can sit up or lean forward.

Practice Session: Esther Learns to Approach a Reclined Client

*Practicing a real-life scenario: Esther learns to approach slowly and safely when someone is reclined and unable to reach.*

Supporting Safety with Protective Barriers

In real facilities, we will always follow infection-control guidelines. This includes using clean, single-use barriers between Esther and any bedding or clothing. Even when only her head is resting near a client, we practice with barriers so that the habit becomes second nature.

Using a clean barrier helps protect both the client and Esther, an essential part of therapy-dog infection control.

Building Trust, Calm, and Connection

The “head down” skill supports more than mobility; it creates space for emotional connection. Some clients may not have the energy to speak, but they can still rest a hand on Esther’s soft fur. That simple connection can provide:

Grounding during anxiety
Comfort during pain
Presence during loneliness
Companionship at end of life

Esther practices lowering her head carefully, just close enough for a gentle touch without overwhelming the client.

Making Everyone Feel Included in the Visit

Nothing breaks my heart more than the idea of someone being left out of a therapy visit simply because they can’t move easily. By teaching Esther this skill, it ensures that every person, regardless of mobility level, has the opportunity to feel included, seen, and comforted.

This training helps us say:

“You matter.”
“You are not forgotten.”
“You deserve comfort too.”

A beautiful example of why this skill matters: Esther stays calm, steady, and within easy reach.

Preparing Now for the Clients Who Need Us Most

Each practice session brings us closer to being ready for real therapy visits in hospice, hospitals, children’s programs, and eldercare. Esther is learning:

To approach beds and chairs slowly
To stop at a safe and comfortable distance
To place her head gently on a designated barrier
To hold her position calmly until cued to move

This is the kind of work that makes therapy-animal visits meaningful, dignified, and accessible.

We practice with care today so we can serve with compassion tomorrow.

Anna & Esther: A Pet Therapy Team in the Making