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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.”
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