How is your program different from therapy dogs visiting hospitals?
A: Our Therapy Dog teams offer participants a place to practice strategies that promote and protect healthy behaviors to make good decisions for themselves and for others. Additionally, children are able to work with trained dogs on and off leash, a less restrictive and more natural way to learn from one another.
A: Our Therapy Dog teams offer participants a place to practice strategies that promote and protect healthy behaviors to make good decisions for themselves and for others. Additionally, children are able to work with trained dogs on and off leash, a less restrictive and more natural way to learn from one another.
Which children may benefit from your service?
A: All children who enjoy learning about animals and enjoy working with animals have shown improvement in their self-esteem and self-worth, their confidence in socializing among their peers and adults, their ability to control muscle movement through light exercise, and their motivation to engage in higher learning both at school and at home.
A: All children who enjoy learning about animals and enjoy working with animals have shown improvement in their self-esteem and self-worth, their confidence in socializing among their peers and adults, their ability to control muscle movement through light exercise, and their motivation to engage in higher learning both at school and at home.
Which children may not participate in Animal-Assisted Therapy?
A: In an effort to protect the health and well-being of both humans and canines, children with allergies to pet dander, are immunocompromised, or have a history of violence or fear towards animals and humans, are ineligible to participate in our program.
*Any questions or concerns regarding a child's ability to participate due to a medical diagnosis must be addressed with the child's health care provider.
A: In an effort to protect the health and well-being of both humans and canines, children with allergies to pet dander, are immunocompromised, or have a history of violence or fear towards animals and humans, are ineligible to participate in our program.
*Any questions or concerns regarding a child's ability to participate due to a medical diagnosis must be addressed with the child's health care provider.
Our family has a dog at home, how is working with a Therapy Dog any different?
A: The experience of working with a Therapy Dog can have profound effects for a child who lives with a companion animal! Choosing to include the family dog in sessions not only benefits the child being able to continue working on skills at home but also builds upon the dog's current training plan, essentially building manners around family members. Therapy Dogs are trained to have "manners" when working with humans of all ages and abilities. Our goal is for children to be able to work with a dog in an environment outside of their home to enhance the learning process for the child. In the end, we hope this will strengthen the bond between a child and all other pets they may share space with at home.
A: The experience of working with a Therapy Dog can have profound effects for a child who lives with a companion animal! Choosing to include the family dog in sessions not only benefits the child being able to continue working on skills at home but also builds upon the dog's current training plan, essentially building manners around family members. Therapy Dogs are trained to have "manners" when working with humans of all ages and abilities. Our goal is for children to be able to work with a dog in an environment outside of their home to enhance the learning process for the child. In the end, we hope this will strengthen the bond between a child and all other pets they may share space with at home.
What is the difference between a Therapy Dog and a Service Dog?
A: So glad you asked--this is our #1 question we answer every time we visit in the community!
A: So glad you asked--this is our #1 question we answer every time we visit in the community!
- Service Dogs are trained specifically to work with one person who has a diagnosed disability (such as blindness, deafness, or an invisible disability, PTSD).
- Therapy Dogs are trained in various levels of obedience to work with many different people and have a natural fondness for interacting with humans. Additionally, Therapy Dogs may also work with their own disability, such as a missing leg or other sensory deficit (such as blindness).
- All breeds of dogs can be trained to be a Service Dog or Therapy Dog (pure breeds and mixed breeds) and they may come from a responsible breeder or a rescue organization (i.e. humane society).