Post on 06-Jul-2015
transcript
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*Kennedy is 2 years old
*Entered training when he was a puppy
*He was trained with Assistance Dogs of America Inc. (ADAI)
*School counselor and teacher are trained to handle Kennedy
*Trained so well anyone can handle him including me or children.
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*A-AT was developed by Child Psychologist Boris
Levinson in 60’s and 70’s
*Boris notices differences in patients when dog
was in sessions
*Dog allowed for a more relaxed environment
conducive to self-disclosure
* Pet-Oriented Child Psychotherapy (1969).
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*Typically Retriever and Labrador mixes are used for therapy dogs
*Choose an intense training for dogs and handlers
*Research how to implement appropriate program through Fine’s (2006) Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy
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*Research with A-AT is extensive with
children, adolescences, adults and older
adults.
*Autism, PTSD, Emotional/behavioral
disorders, academic
issues, addiction, incarcerated and military
veterans and many more including medical A-
AT
*This field is still being studied for all the
benefits
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*Properly trained therapy dogs are very beneficial for adults and children within counseling, crisis interventions, and prevention/intervention programs.
*Dogs are non-judgmental beings that assist children in recognizing their own fears, issues, etc.
*‘child as nurturer’ in this relationship with dog
*When dogs are trained properly they can reflect the child’s feelings
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*Lowers Heart rate
*Lowers blood pressure
*Reduces anxiety
*Reduce de-escalation
times
*Increase self-esteem
*Help regulate emotions
and behaviors
*Help form healthy attachments
*Increase eye contact
*Decrease distractibility
*Improve appropriate voice tone
*Significantly lower behavioral, emotional,and verbal distress
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*Therapy dogs can be used in many environments
* Including but not limited to schools, mental health agencies, hospitals, home, classrooms, and Special Needs environments
*Teach children how to care for and treat others by ‘practicing’ with dog
* Improve students’ attitude towards school
*Students tend to be more attentive, more responsive, and more cooperative when therapy dog is present
*Children have an increased alertness and attention span, and an enhanced openness and desire for social contact when dog is present
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*Only 6% of population is allergic to dogs
*Regular bathing and grooming reduces dander, use non-shedding dogs
*Regular vet visits and vaccinations
*A-AT dogs are specially trained to assist with fears
*Wash hands before and after interactions with dog
*Do sessions outside if possible
* If allergic child on premise, use same door to go in and out of building
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*Middle Eastern and South-east Asians view dogs
as unclean
*Interactions with children and dogs are strongly
discouraged
*Informed consent is needed before any
interactions with dog
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*Kennedy is property of
TCS, not Mrs. Reinhart
*Grant monies was used
to purchase Kennedy
*All veterinary services
are donated including
grooming, visits, vacci
nations, and flea
medications
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*Toledo Correctional Institute
*Kent State
*Tiffin and Fostoria City Schools
*ADAI in Swanton, OH (29 miles west of Toledo
*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAEQTZisP
T8&feature=endscreen