How is your program different from volunteer therapy dog teams visiting hospitals or schools?
A: First, Animal-Assisted Therapy can only be implemented by a health or human service provider. Volunteer therapy dog team visits to various settings are considered Animal-Assisted Activities, not therapy. As a Registered Nurse and Animal-Assisted Intervention Practitioner, Cindy formulates individual wellness plans based on measurable goals and outcomes over a specific period of time. Additionally, children are able to work with their personal dog on and off leash, a less restrictive and more natural way to interact with each other. If a child or young adult does not have a personal dog, Cindy will have one of her therapy dogs partner with the individual.
A: First, Animal-Assisted Therapy can only be implemented by a health or human service provider. Volunteer therapy dog team visits to various settings are considered Animal-Assisted Activities, not therapy. As a Registered Nurse and Animal-Assisted Intervention Practitioner, Cindy formulates individual wellness plans based on measurable goals and outcomes over a specific period of time. Additionally, children are able to work with their personal dog on and off leash, a less restrictive and more natural way to interact with each other. If a child or young adult does not have a personal dog, Cindy will have one of her therapy dogs partner with the individual.
Which children may benefit from your service?
A: All children who enjoy learning about animals and enjoy working with animals have shown remarkable 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 remarkable 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.
*Cindy offers a FREE 15-minute consultation to answer any question or concerns regarding a child's ability to participate
*Consultation with your primary health provider is welcome and recommended before applying to this program
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.
*Cindy offers a FREE 15-minute consultation to answer any question or concerns regarding a child's ability to participate
*Consultation with your primary health provider is welcome and recommended before applying to this program
Our family has a dog at home, how is working with a Therapy Dog any different?
A: The only difference between a registered therapy dog and your personal family dog is the training in obedience/manners and the desire to interact with all different personalities of humans when outside of the home. 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 and in all settings. 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.
A: The only difference between a registered therapy dog and your personal family dog is the training in obedience/manners and the desire to interact with all different personalities of humans when outside of the home. 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 and in all settings. 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.
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). They should not be distracted from working with their human handler so please refrain from asking to pet the service animal.
- Therapy Dogs are trained in various levels of obedience to work in different settings and with many different people. They also have a natural fondness for interacting with all types of humans. Additionally, Therapy Dogs may have a disability such as a missing leg or other sensory deficit (such as blindness). These dogs serve as inspiration to humans that may also have disabilities.
- 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).
