Dog therapy for baby arrivals

RSPCA spokeswoman Aimee McKay said the organisation often received inquiries from mums-to-be. "Many worry about the bub getting hurt, sick or scared, as well as the dog getting scared, protective or aggressive," she said.

Tamara Di Santo, 37, is expecting her first child in April and called on the RSPCA's therapist to visit her Valley View home twice to prepare her tenterfield terriers, Vegas and Los, for the baby's birth.

"There were so many things on TV about dogs attacking babies and people having to put their dogs down, I was scared by it," she said.

Ms Di Santo now takes an empty pram on walks with her dogs and has changed their sleeping habits.

"The girls slept in the bed with us and it was something we knew we'd have to change. I slept on the couch as part of the process of adjustment and it's all sorted now," she said.

"They've also been taught to sit in the one area and be kept under control."

Ms McKay said the arrival of a new baby is among the reasons people hand in dogs to the RSPCA's metropolitan shelters.

"With the pressures of a house, child and pet, the dog is often the first thing to go, but there's absolutely no reason why the two can't two exist," she said.

Animal Welfare League spokeswoman Donna Sullivan said a community education service the organisation runs to teach children as young as three how to handle dogs is also gaining popularity.

Reference: AdelaideNow

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