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
*
