I have personally been doing this work for 15 years!! I cannot say enough about the value of this work!
www.happypetstop.com/blog/1-ahhh-dog-therapy-such-a-joyful-task/
www.happypetstop.com/Pet-Therapy/

For over 30 years, Therapy Dogs International has coordinated efforts to affect truly positive changes in the lives of tens of thousands of Americans.

With volunteers in every state in the union, this non-profit organization is the largest therapy animal group in the world. In 2007, their numbers included over 18,000 registered dogs and approximately 15,000 trained handlers. And these numbers do not include working therapy cats, rabbits and birds, which are becoming increasingly popular.

To be approved for therapy work, these animals must pass numerous behavioral tests and be evaluated by a certified evaluator. These tests help to determine whether the dogs are equipped to handle sudden movements, loud noises, the presence of canes and wheelchairs, and the company of children, just to name a few.

More and more, people many of whom never had a pet are experiencing the love and attention of a companion animal. And, for those who are no longer able to have a companion animal of their own due to diminished health, these visits are especially meaningful and welcome.

The aim of these therapeutic encounters is to bring joy and comfort to those who need it most, including people of all ages who are in mental health counseling programs and institutions, undergoing physical therapy, participating in reading and speech programs, and living in senior care facilities.

If you are interested in doing therapy work with your companion animal, we encourage you to visit the Therapy Dogs International web site at www.tdi-dog.org, or call them directly at 973-252-9800.

Technorati Tags: dog therapy work, Pet Therapy

My Golden, Nikki, training to become pet therapy dog. She is now registered with Therapeutic Paws of Canada…check out my pet therapy page.

Animal-assisted therapy – Pet Therapy

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT & Pet Therapy) is a type of therapy that involves an animal with specific characteristics becoming a fundamental part of a person’s treatment. Animal-assisted therapy is designed to improve the physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning of the patient, as well as provide educational and motivational effectiveness for participants. AAT can be provided on an individual or group basis. During AAT, therapists document records and evaluate the participant’s progress.

Many kinds of animals are used in therapy, including dogs, cats, elephants, birds, dolphins, rabbits, lizards, and other small animals. AAT with horses is known specifically as equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), equine-assisted learning (EAL), equine-assisted creative living (EACL), equine-assisted personal development (EAPD) or therapeutic horseback riding.

Benefits
People who have pets benefit in various ways, for example, the comfort of physical online prescription contact with animals, reducing loneliness, and increased opportunities for meeting others, via the pets. In addition, caring for pets encourages nurturance, responsibility, and adherence to a daily schedule.

Physical
Improve fine motor skills.
Improve wheelchair skills.
Improve standing equilibrioception (balance).

Mental
A 2007 meta-analysis found that animal-assisted therapy is associated with moderate effect sizes in improving outcomes in autism spectrum symptoms, medical difficulties, behavioral problems, and emotional well-being.

Increase verbal interactions between group members.
Increase attention skills (i.e., paying attention, staying on task).
Develop leisure/recreation skills.
Increase self-esteem.
Reduce anxiety.
Reduce loneliness.

Educational
Increase vocabulary.
Aid in long- or short-term memory.
Improve knowledge of concepts, such as size, color, etc.

Motivational
Improve willingness to be involved in a group activity.
Improve interactions with others.
Improve interactions with staff.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Technorati Tags: Dog Therapy, Pet Therapy

Winter is over, even in Ontario, Canada, my home

I had my dogs, well, 2 of my dogs out for a walk in the park yesterday. It was a perfect spring day. The sun was shining, and the air was still nippy. But, that awesome spring smell was in the air.

We were walking along, Nikki my golden retriever, and Benny my black lab. My dogs are “kid magnets”. Kids love my dogs and my dogs return that love. So, as usual, there were kids. Twins as a matter of fact. About 7-9 years old.

They were with a lady, not their mom or a relative. She was looking after them, and from what I could gather from our conversation, on a regular basis.

They played and hugged and laughed with my dogs. Yes, my dogs can laugh!

And then, one of the boys came up to me and asked me
” Can you look after us, can we come home with you and you take care of us please”

My heart broke. It broke because 2 children needed to ask a stranger to care for them. I promised them I would be back in the park, and they could play and walk the dogs with me.

I spotted them again as they were driving out of the park, car windows open. All I heard was ” Bye bye Nikki and Benny, we love you! ”

I guess it is pretty well always a safe thing to say “I love you” to a dog”

Two weeks ago I was also in the park, and a little guy came up to me and he fell in love with Benny, my black lab. This is funny, not really sad.He must have been maybe about 6 years old. He said ” I love your black dog, I just love Benny, please, right now, can I take him home with me”

Ahhhh, the feelings dogs can get out of people, old or young. Some are funny, but some are also very sad.

Just wanted, or maybe needed to share this with you,

Ruth,
Nikki and Benny

Technorati Tags: Interest Stories, Pet Therapy