Kennedy is a 2-year-old therapy dog trained by Assistance Dogs of America Inc. He is well-trained and can be handled by anyone, including children and teachers. Kennedy provides therapy sessions at various schools and organizations in Ohio to help lower stress and anxiety. Proper training of therapy dogs and their handlers is important to ensure the safety and effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy.

1. *

2. * Kennedy is 2 years old
* Entered training when he
was a puppy
* He was trained with
Assistance Dogs of
America Inc. (ADAI)
* School counselor and
teacher are trained to
handle Kennedy
* Trained so well anyone
can handle him including
me or children.
*

3. * A-AT was developed by Child Psychologist Boris
Levinson in 60’s and 70’s
* Boris notices differences in patients when dog
was in sessions
* Dog allowed for a more relaxed environment
conducive to self-disclosure
* Pet-Oriented Child Psychotherapy (1969).
*

4. * Typically Retriever and
Labrador mixes are used
for therapy dogs
* Choose an intense
training for dogs and
handlers
* Research how to
implement appropriate
program through Fine’s
(2006) Handbook on
Animal-Assisted Therapy
*

5. * Research with A-AT is extensive with
children, adolescences, adults and older
adults.
* Autism, PTSD, Emotional/behavioral
disorders, academic
issues, addiction, incarcerated and military
veterans and many more including medical AAT
* This field is still being studied for all the
benefits
*

6. * Properly trained therapy dogs are very
beneficial for adults and children within
counseling, crisis interventions, and
prevention/intervention programs.
* Dogs are non-judgmental beings that assist
children in recognizing their own
fears, issues, etc.
* ‘child as nurturer’ in this relationship with dog
* When dogs are trained properly they can
reflect the child’s feelings
*

7. * Lowers Heart rate
* Lowers blood pressure
* Reduces anxiety
* Reduce de-escalation
times
* Increase self-esteem
* Help regulate emotions
and behaviors
*
* Help form healthy
attachments
* Increase eye contact
* Decrease distractibility
* Improve appropriate
voice tone
* Significantly lower
behavioral, emotional,
and verbal distress

8. * Therapy dogs can be used
in many environments
* Including but not limited
to schools, mental health
agencies, hospitals, hom
e, classrooms, and
Special Needs
environments
* Teach children how to
care for and treat others
by ‘practicing’ with dog
*
* Improve students’
attitude towards school
* Students tend to be more
attentive, more
responsive, and more
cooperative when
therapy dog is present
* Children have an
increased alertness and
attention span, and an
enhanced openness and
desire for social contact
when dog is present

9. * Only 6% of population is
allergic to dogs
* Regular bathing and
grooming reduces
dander, use non-shedding
dogs
* Regular vet visits and
vaccinations
* A-AT dogs are specially
trained to assist with fears
* Wash hands before and
after interactions with dog
* Do sessions outside if
possible
* If allergic child on
premise, use same door to
go in and out of building
*

10. * Middle Eastern and South-east Asians view dogs
as unclean
* Interactions with children and dogs are strongly
discouraged
* Informed consent is needed before any
interactions with dog
*

11. * Kennedy is property of
TCS, not Mrs. Reinhart
* Grant monies was used
to purchase Kennedy
* All veterinary services
are donated including
grooming, visits, vacci
nations, and flea
medications
*

12. * Toledo Correctional Institute
* Kent State
* Tiffin and Fostoria City Schools
* ADAI in Swanton, OH (29 miles west of Toledo
* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAEQTZisP
T8&feature=endscreen
*