Pet Therapy
About Pet Therapy |
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Pet Therapy, also known as Animal-assisted therapy (AAT), utilizes trained animals and handlers to achieve specific physical, social, cognitive, and emotional goals with patients and students. Animal-assisted activities utilize the animals in a less structured, non-goal driven environment. Studies have shown that physical contact with a pet can lower high blood pressure, and improve survival rates for heart attack victims. There is also evidence that petting an animal can cause endorphins to be released. Endorphins are chemicals in the body that suppress the pain response. These are benefits that can be enjoyed from pet ownership, as well as from visiting therapeutic animals. |
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Many skills can be learned or improved with the assistance of a therapy animal. Patient rehabilitation can be encouraged by such activities as walking or running with a dog, or throwing objects for the animal to retrieve. Fine motor skills may be developed by petting, grooming, or feeding the animal. Patient communication is encouraged by the response of the animal to either verbal or physical commands. Activities such as writing or talking about the therapy animals or past pets also develop cognitive skills and communication. Creative inclusion of an animal in the life or therapy of a patient can make a major difference in the patient's comfort, progress, and recovery. To watch a video about a therapy dog study, click here. |
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In a school setting, therapy dogs and their handlers can be instrumental in improving the literacy skills of children in an effective, unique and, most importantly, fun manner. Literacy specialists acknowledge that children who are below their peers in reading skills are often intimidated by reading aloud in a group, often have lower self-esteem, and view reading as a chore. Research with therapy animals indicates that children with low self-esteem are often more willing to interact with an animal than another person. Further, during such interaction they are inclined to forget about their limitations. The premise of children reading to dogs is that children will find reading to an animal less intimidating, a special time for them that is helpful and fun and will become a positive environment in which learning is facilitated. |
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| Pet therapy/AAT does not involve just any pet interacting with a patient or child. Standards for the training of the volunteers and their animals are crucial in order to promote a safe, positive experience. Trained volunteers will understand how to work with other medical professionals, teachers, librarians and principals to set goals for the patient or student and keep records of progress. Animals that have been appropriately trained are well socialized to people, other animals, medical equipment and odors. | ||
Austin Dog Alliance believes the success of any pet therapy program rests on the training level of the dog and the handler. We have chosen to require all dogs that we place to have passed the Delta Society Pet Partners Evaluation. The Delta Society is an international, not-for-profit organization that trains and screens pets for participation in animal visiting and therapy programs in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and schools. After extensive screening and testing, Pet Partners are provided with one million dollars of commercial general liability insurance. Since the standards for passing the Delta Society evaluation are so high, passing the exam can be very intimidating. Dogs must be well socialized and trained. The handler must understand the requirements for therapy in a variety of settings. To help teams pass the evaluation, Austin Dog Alliance holds a Pet Therapy Seminar every other month. |
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Once a team passes the evaluation, Austin Dog Alliance is ready to place them in a variety of programs. Our current opportunities include:
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| For more information on any of our programs, please contact us. | ||
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