Animal Assisted Interventions
The canine and human members of our interdisciplinary teams have professional ongoing evaluations and training that exceed basic pet obedience and/or therapy dog evaluations. The teams are being/have been trained with people of all ages and abilities, and in a variety of environments. We do have trained dog handlers available. However, the dogs have a skill level and generalization that is conducive to working directly with the participant/client. We believe it is important to empower our participants and teach them to positively engage dogs in their own sessions, and in some cases—sessions with others!
Our therapy and program participants learn positive rules of engagement, voice control, emotional control, and physical control of themselves. We incorporate lessons in observation and positive communication in relation to animals, themselves, and other people so that they can engage others in conversations or activities. We give attention to the welfare of the animals, and do not put them in a position to become harmed, to develop fears or undesired behavioral outcomes during the evaluations, training, or intervention sessions. Most importantly, the dogs must love their work to be in this environment. Dogs have ample time with each other, with clients, and to be alone as indicated.
Our therapists have significant continuing education and experience in canine observation and handling skills. Most of our canine co-therapists are from Assistance Dogs of the West (ADW) training program. ADW is an organization that prides itself in exceeding standards of practice set forth by Assistance Dogs International. Therapists and professional dog trainers/handlers have also attended continuing education in disability, and how to use Dogs in Practice.
Moral of story: The dogs used in therapy and programming at Dogwood exceed standards set for visiting dogs and achieve the standards that are set for professionally trained assistance dogs. The therapists who co-treat with these skilled dogs have continuing education in both animal handling and activities for intervention.
The following is a glossary of terms, which has been adapted from Assistance Dogs International (of which we are members) and the upcoming Animal Assisted Intervention International (a international coalition of healthcare and social service professionals who include animals in practice—watch for our grand opening announcement in 2012). We will post additional professional standards of practice as they develop.
Animal-Assisted Activity (AAA):
Animal assisted activities involve a specially trained animal-handler team is an integral part, providing opportunities for motivational, educational, and recreational benefit. Visitations may enhance a person’s quality of life. AAA's are provided in a variety of settings, may be group or individual in nature and may be implemented for persons across the lifespan. AAA's may be delivered by paraprofessionals and/or animal handlers all who are specially trained. This is not a goal-directed intervention. When a team works with a social services or healthcare provider within their scope of practice on specific client goals, it may be considered an animal assisted intervention.
Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI):
A goal-directed intervention is designed to promote improvement in physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive functioning of the person(s) involved and in which a specially trained animal-handler team is an integral part. AAI is directed and/or delivered by a professional with specialized expertise and within the scope of practice of his/her profession. AAI may be provided in a variety of settings, may be group or individual in nature and may be implemented for persons of any age. There are specific goals for each individual involved and the process is documented and evaluated. A volunteer or non-professional may handle a dog for the following interventions, or the dogs may have achieved much higher training standards so that the therapist or participant can handle the animal during the intervention. Animal-Assisted Education (AAE) and Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) are forms of Animal-Assisted Intervention.
Animal-Assisted Education (AAE):
A goal-directed intervention is designed to promote improvement in cognitive functioning of the person(s) involved and in which a specially trained dog-handler team is an integral part of the educational process. AAE is directed and/or delivered by an educational professional with specialized expertise and within the scope of practice of his/her profession. AAE may be provided in a variety of settings, may be group or individual in nature and may be implemented for persons of any age. There are specific goals for each individual involved and the process is documented and evaluated. This is a type of Animal-Assisted Intervention.
Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT):
A goal-directed intervention is designed to promote improvement in physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive functioning of the person(s) involved and in which a specially trained animal-handler team is an integral part of the treatment process. AAT is directed and/or delivered by a health/human service professional with specialized expertise and within the scope of practice of his/her profession. AAT may be provided in a variety of settings, may be group or individual in nature and may be implemented for persons of any age. There are specific goals for each individual involved and the process is documented and evaluated. This is a type of Animal-Assisted Intervention.
Facility Dog:
Facility dog teams are professionally trained dog and human teams (volunteer, healthcare, education, or social service provider) that have received specialty training from a professional dog-training program (such as member organizations from ADI). The work of a facility dog can include visitations or professional therapy or education in one or more locations. Public access is permitted only when the dog and handler, who is a trained volunteer or professional, is directly working with a client with a disability.
