DOGGONE IT!

Creative Treatment Through Animal Assisted Interventions

DOGS? AT WORK?

Your clients are motivated to try harder.

You are trying something completely different and fun.

Your dog (or other animal) can help your clients learn skills including empathy.

The relationship between you and client develops quickly and often deeper

when your dog works with you.

Many health benefits such as increased oxytocin and decreased heart rate and

lower blood pressure just to name a few.

Allows you to be more creative, have fun and make a positive difference.

THE 4-1-1 FOR THE K9S

Piano playing is optional (but tricks are fun)

Basic obedience skills

Healthy

Reliable behavior

Love of people

Tolerant of people hugging, grabbing and

mobbing them

Not extremely reactive to noises or other

intrusions

Consider becoming a registered therapy team

THE 4-1-1 FOR THE HUMANS

Positive training helps build a deeper bond with your animal.

Realize it is tough at first-you are caring for your animal and your

client at the same time.

Know when your animal wants to retire.

Understand zoonotic illnesses.

You are your animal’s voice.

Know basic body language of the animal who works with you.

CREATING OUTCOMES AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES WITH AAI

Possible measurable outcomes (but use your imagination):

Exercise

Self-regulation

Building empathy

Addressing anxiety & depression

Increasing self-esteem

Memory skills

Following multiple part directions

Motor skills

Learning appropriate touch

Taking turns

Sequencing

MAKE FITNESS FUN

*Doga

*Teach your dog to choose your activity

*Going on walks (even turn the walk into a scavenger

hunt)

KEEPING IT FUN!

My Talking Pet App

Personalized cards

“Business cards”

Paw print stamps for paw art and

signature for cards (use non-toxic paint)

Puzzles

Music instruments (maracas, kick drum,

toy piano or tambourine)

Large dice, dominoes and balls

BE READY FOR THE “WHAT IFS”

Consider putting standards or policies into place for all

animal-assisted interventions

Require only trained therapy animals

Confidentiality statements signed if having volunteers in the

facility

Never leave your client alone with your animal

Address allergies or fears

RECOMMENDED READING:

www.petpartners.org

www.habricentral.org

www.playfulpooch.org

“Handbook on Animal Assisted Therapy (any edition)-

Aubrey Fine

“Animal Assisted Play Therapy”-Dr. Rise VanFleet

Any book by Melissa Winkle, OTR

“Animal Assisted Activities to Motivate and Inspire”-

Nancy Lind

“101 Creative Ideas for Animal Assisted Therapy”

“Therapy Dogs Today”-Kris Butler

“Teaming With Your Therapy Animal”-Ann Howie

–Jill Abramson

Contact me @ sit.stay.heal@hotmail or find me on Facebook

& LinkedIn (Cyndie Brashear Kieffer)

“You know a dog can snap you out of any kind of bad mood

that you’re in faster than you can think of.”