ANSC 250 1st Edition Lecture 19 Outline of Last Lecture I What is a Pit Bull II Why do dogs bite III Media Reporting IV Myth vs Fact V Breed discrimination and Identification VI What can we do Outline of Current Lecture I Animal assisted therapy II Facility examples III Dog handlers are not therapists IV AAA vs AAT Characteristics V How is playing with a dog therapy VI AAT goals supporting activities VII Pet Partner team requirements VIII Handler s responbility is to their pet Current Lecture I II II II Animal Assisted Therapy a Using the natural bond between humans and dogs to meet therapeutic goals b Our programs stress interaction between the client and the dogs Facility examples a Cunningham Children s Homes b Carle Hospital Adult Therapy c Champaign Urbana Park District Special Recreation Program d Nursing homes e Juvenile Detention f Libraries Dog handlers are not therapists a Staff set the agenda and facilitate the session b Volunteer handlers provide encouragement training and guidance as the client learns to work with the dog to meet their therapy goals AAA vs AAT Characteristics a Animal assisted activities i Same activity for many These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor s lecture GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes not as a substitute ii iii iv v vi II II Passive meet and greet visitation petting Mostly social often public Entertainment Educational Examples 1 Hospital room visits 2 Nursing home visits 3 Reading to the dogs ii AAT dogs must be predictable calm obedient trusting and responsive to a variety of people but also active b Animal assisted therapy i Activity tailored to individual client ii Goal directed active iii Animal is integral iv Documented v Led by health human service professional vi Progress is measured vii Examples 1 Speech therapy 2 Physical therapy 3 Occupational therapy 4 Recreational therapy 5 Counseling How is playing with a dog therapy a Client s interaction with the dog focuses the effort b Different aspects of the same activity are highlighted depending on the client s needs c Targeted exercises are hidden behind an enjoyable activity AAT Goals Supporting activities a Physical therapy i Brushing adjusting collar walking throwing b Memory i Ability to sequence activities 1 Steps in retrieval games 2 Grooming b Speech therapy i Give verbal commands a Example i Confidence building 1 Dog responds to the client s instructions 2 Activity walking on a loose leash ii Appropriate social interactions 1 Recognize body language a Personal space b Relaxed vs stressed 2 3 4 Positive reinforcement Emotional control Activity eye contact ii Emotional support 1 Confiding in the dog 2 Touching 3 Giving and receiving affection 4 Acceptance 5 Activity walks quiet time with dog ii Humane education 1 Health needs of the dog are similar to the health needs of the client 2 Stress that interactions always use positive reinforcement 3 Respect a dogs space and handler s authority 4 Activity grooming brushing teeth cleaning ears discussion of exercise and emotional needs II Pet Partner team requirements a The animal is a family pet living in the home of the handler b Dogs must be at least one year old ad owned for at least six months c Pet Partners are not paid for their work d The animal and handler test as a team and are evaluated on skills and aptitude e The handler has to take a written exam f Teams are retested every two years to remain in the program g Eligible species i Allowed 1 Dogs cats guinea pigs rabbits domesticated rats horses goats llamas alpacas donkeys potbellied pig equines ii Not allowed 1 Wolves wolf hybrids wild animals snakes ferrets lizards II Handler s responsibility is to their pet a Know the pet s preferences and stress tolerance b Accept work only with clients that fit the range of the pet s comfort and abilities c Be alert to the affect the therapy session is having on the dog d Remove the dog from the session if needed