*

*

*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.

*

*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).

*

*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

*

*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 A-

AT

*This field is still being studied for all the

benefits

*

*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

*

*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

*

*Therapy dogs can be used in many environments

* Including but not limited to schools, mental health agencies, hospitals, home, 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

*

*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

*

*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

*

*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

*

*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