Friday, July 10, 2009

Virtual Dogs in 2nd Life & Our RL pets



In Second Life, I run a center for individuals with TBI(Traumatic Brain Injury). I also work with dogs. I have found that my friends with TBI benefit greatly from learning to work with these virtual pets. In my next article below I will talk about how sl in general helps individuals with TBI to function better in rl. In world(in 2nd Life), I solve problems and repair dogs for D&D dogs, and do demos for people with these excellent virtual pets. I work with VKC dogs also, and thier owners. I solve problems here, and also teach dog owners how to master the commands, as well as teach people to train thier dogs to do a variety of tasks and entertaining tricks. For those not in the mood to learn all of this, I actually train the dogs for them. I Own one of the most popular Dog Park in Second Life. Dogland Park in Rhoda.

In world, dogs are transferable. This means ownership can be given to another person. My mission is to convince business people in 2nd Life to begin making all toys & supplies for virtual dogs transferable (as are the dogs!). To this end, I make an entire line of toys and dog beds... all transferable, and all free. There is an entire line of custom doghouses also I sell for the currency of 2nd life (50 Lindens= approx. 20 cents U.S. currency), or for those who dont have the funds, the doghouse is free.
Working with Virtual dogs gives a trainer in rl(real life) a special insight into the pure logic under which dogs function. Working with our pets in rl, gives us a special feeling for the virtual dogs.
The Virtual dogs are such great fun to function with, and provide great entertainment and actually are useful in the virtual world... just as service dogs and protection dogs are in the real world.
I hope that when you are in 2nd Life, you will look me up, and see all of the things a virtual dog can do. Your real life pets will benefit from this as also will yourselves! And for those of you with no rl dog, owning a virtual dog is the next best thing. Trust me we all get very attached to our virtual pets and enjoy them immensly!~ Vitolo Rossini

Why a Virtual World?

Born in 1951, after a lifetime as a martial artist, and dog trainer, I was run over by a truck(Feb., 2004). Every bone on the left side of my body was shattered, as I was flung into a 5 1/2 week Coma. I learned to walk again, and speak. I came to sl to learn to function, and got better and better...and started an sl group for Vicims of TBI. My dream has come true..I run a Dojo in sl, and train virtual dogs for two companies. I also own the largest and most popular dog park in sl. Anything I earn goes to our group, Survivors of TBI, which is now a great success! We have a gorgeous Facility, and rl physician studying neurogenesis on staff as well as an rl RT, as our consultant. We even have a group Rehab Therapist. There are supporters and many TBI survivors. Sl has been good to all of us. I have come up with a remarkable theory... as I talk to fellow TBI survivors in our group. We are able to learn and find things theraputic with tolerance...as we are already used to rl "lag".(Which by the way is comparable to sl "lag"). In addition, we are all too familiar with "crashing" unexpectedly.(Which incidentally is very like rl "crash" from overload..Cognitive Fatigue.) Sl is excellent therapy. One can "virtually" experience anything, as all is possible in world. But... rl's complications are replaced by a separate set of complications ( technical) in sl. so if a TBI Survivor( or anyone)fails at an sl endeavor...failure begets failure. Success, on the other hand begets success. It is a TBI Supporter and Surviors role,to help mentor and guide other survivors to find areas of sl to thrive in.Help others discover "thier sl".Once one finds thier sl, because it is "thier niche"..they will find joy, andthereby be successful.Success at endeavors in sl builds confidence, and self assuredness. This will carry over into inner strength in rl endeavors. I would love to have your feedback on this . Or come to our TBI Center when you're in world. See you there! See Also: http://vitolo.wordpress.com/