Benefits of Implementing an Animal Based Therapy Program at Your School By: Norlene Chamberlain, M.A.,.MS.Ed.,CSC

Transcription

1 Benefits of Implementing an Animal Based Therapy Program at Your School By: Norlene Chamberlain, M.A.,.MS.Ed.,CSC Ariel at Dr. Rodriguez Elementary School

2 Traci Gonzalez, Principal Dr. Rodriguez Elementary & Ariel My principal s support, innovative outlook, and receptiveness to try new programs for the benefit of her students and staff allowed me to implement Ariel s programs at school.

3 Delta Society s Pet Partners Program Pet Partners program Delta Society's Pet Partners program trains volunteers and screens volunteers and their pets for visiting animal programs in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, schools and other facilities. The Pet Partners program was established in 1990 to ensure that "both ends of the leash," people as well as animals, were well prepared to participate in animal assisted activity and animal assisted therapy programs. Pet Partners is the only national registry that requires volunteer training and screening of animal handler teams. Delta Society's national network links volunteers with facilities in their own communities that request visiting pets and helps Pet Partners contact facilities to begin visits in new locations.

4 Animal Assisted Therapy Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is a relatively new field of study, although the human animal bond has existed for thousands of years. AAT is a type of therapy that involves animals as a form of treatment. The goal of AAT is to improve a patient s social, emotional, or cognitive functioning. Animals can also be useful for educational and motivational effectiveness for participants [1]. Animals are tools for therapy because they can make people feel safe and loved when they have been deprived of social interaction or hurt by other people. They do not communicate with words, and so patients afraid of approaching people can comfortably approach an animal. Additionally, a therapist who brings along a pet is viewed as being less dangerous by the patient, and so the previously uncommunicative patient is willing to share more with the professional [2]. Animals commonly used for therapy include dogs, cats, horses, birds, rabbits, and other small animals.

5 Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) "AAA provides opportunities for motivational, educational, recreational, and/or therapeutic benefits to enhance quality of life. AAA are delivered in a variety of environments by specially trained professionals, paraprofessionals, and/or volunteers, in association with animals that meet specific criteria." (from Standards of Practice for Animal Assisted Activities and Therapy)

6 What Does This Mean? Animal assisted activities are basically the casual "meet and greet" activities that involve pets visiting people. The same activity can be repeated with many people, unlike a therapy program that is tailored to a particular person or medical condition.

7 The Key Features of AAA: Specific treatment goals are not planned for each visit. Volunteers and treatment providers are not required to take detailed notes. Visit content is spontaneous and visits last as long or as short as needed. Examples of AAA: A group of volunteers takes their dogs and cats to a nursing home once a month to "visit." The visit occurs as a large group activity with some direction and assistance provided by facility staff. The volunteer group facilitator keeps an informal log about who was visited. An individual brings her dog to a children's long term care facility to "play" with residents. Although the staff is involved in the visits, the staff has not set treatment goals for the interactions. Aside from signing in and out, no records are kept. A dog obedience club gives an obedience demonstration at a residential facility for teenagers with delinquent behavior

8 Canines for Veterans Canines for Combat Veterans provides Therapy Dogs for veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq wars. Patriot Paws provides assistance for veterans with disabilities free of charge.

9 For Healing Many people believe that positive interactions created between human and animals may improve or quicken the healing process.

10 In the School Therapy Dogs in school provide positive motivation and can help contribute toward improvising test scores.

11 The American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club now has the AKC Therapy Dog program. Ariel is a member of the Therapy Dog program. Good behavior is the most important thing for a therapy dog. The Canine Good Citizen test is a good way to prepare for therapy animal certification.

12 Canine Good Citizenship AKC s Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program Before taking the Canine Good Citizen test, owners will sign the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge. We believe that responsible dog ownership is a key part of the CGC concept and by signing the pledge, owners agree to take care of their dog's health needs, safety, exercise, training and quality of life. Owners also agree to show responsibility by doing things such as cleaning up after their dogs in public places and never letting dogs infringe on the rights of others. After signing the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge, owners and their dogs are ready to take the CGC Test.

13 Ten Items for the Canine Good Citizen Test 1. Accepting a friendly stranger 2. Sitting politely for petting 3. Appearance and grooming 4. Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead) 5. Walking through a crowd 6. Sit and down on command and staying in place 7. Coming when called 8. Reaction to another dog 9. Reaction to distraction 10. Supervised separation

14 Accepting a Friendly Stranger This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation. The evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler in a friendly manner, ignoring the dog. The evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not break position or try to go to the evaluator

15 Sitting Politely for Petting This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler. With the dog sitting at the handler's side, to begin the exercise, the evaluator pets the dog on the head and body. The handler may talk to his or her dog throughout the exercise. The dog may stand in place as it is petted. The dog must not show shyness or resentment.

16 Appearance and Grooming This practical test demonstrates that the dog will welcome being groomed and examined and will permit someone, such as a veterinarian, groomer or friend of the owner, to do so. It also demonstrates the owner's care, concern and sense of responsibility

17 Out for a Walk This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of the dog. The dog may be on either side of the handler. The dog's position should leave no doubt that the dog is attentive to the handler and is responding to the handler's movements and changes of direction.

18 Walking Through a Crowd This test demonstrates that the dog can move about politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. The dog and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least three).

19 Sit and Down on Command and Staying In Place This test demonstrates that the dog has training, will respond to the handler's commands to sit and down and will remain in the place commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler prefers). The dog must do sit AND down on command, then the owner chooses the position for leaving the dog in the stay. Prior to this test, the dog's leash is replaced with a line 20 feet long. The handler may take a reasonable amount of time and use more than one command to get the dog to sit and then down.

20 Coming When Called This test demonstrates that the dog will come when called by the handler. The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face the dog, and call the dog. The handler may use encouragement to get the dog to come. Handlers may choose to tell dogs to "stay" or "wait" or they may simply walk away, giving no instructions to the dog.

21 Reaction to Another Dog This test demonstrates that the dog can behave politely around other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from a distance of about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and continue on for about 10 feet. The dogs should show no more than casual interest in each other. Neither dog should go to the other dog or its handler.

22 Reaction to Distraction This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at all times when faced with common distracting situations. The evaluator will select and present two distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a chair, rolling a crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the dog, or dropping a crutch or cane

23 Supervised Separation This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with a trusted person, if necessary, and will maintain training and good manners. Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, "Would you like me to watch your dog?" and then take hold of the dog's leash. The owner will go out of sight for three minutes.

24 Ariel Star Standard poodles have the personality to work and love to work, and Ariel certainly does!

25 Ariel and Friends

26 Ariel and Her Buddy Cuddle time with Ariel!

27 Okay everyone let s get ready for today! Everyone is excited to be with Ariel!

28 Story Time Ariel loves to hear stories with her friends.

29 HOST Students Reading with Ariel Their names on bones were chosen from a doghouse. The harder they work and use their manners the more bones they have in the doghouse.

30 Ariel with the Texas Sweet Orange Ariel is an integral part of everything at school.

31 Shaking Hands with a Queen Ariel knows when to shake hands.

32 Happy Halloween From Ariel!

33 Trick or Treat!

34 Merry Christmas From Ariel

35 A Very Ariel Christmas!

36 Ariel has her own book! She is a celebrity! To the beauty parlor please!

37 Ariel is finding new ways to help her family at Dr. Rodriguez Elementary School everyday.

38 For more information or call: Dr. Rodriguez Elementary School