Martin- Rat Terrier Therapy Dog

Martin recieved his Therapy Dog Certification in July 2001.

Martin works with Julia and loves to visit our local Retirement & Assisted Living Nursing center, Foundation House.

Dogs can be used in animal assisted therapy in many different ways, for example

Physical.Health:

Improving fine motor skills., Improve wheelchair skills. Improve standing balance.

Mental Health.

Increase verbal interactions between group members, Increase attention skills (i.e., paying attention, staying on task), Develop leisure/recreation skills, Increase self-esteem.

Reduce anxiety, Reduce loneliness.

Educational Health, Increase vocabulary., Aid in long- or short-term memory, Improve knowledge of concepts such as size, color, etc.

Motivational.

Improve willingness to be involved in a group activity, Improve interactions with others, Improve interactions with staff, Increase exercise.

As a definition Animal Assisted Therapy must meet 3 criteria:

1) AAT is directed by health/human services professionals as a normal part of their practice. This person may be a physician, occupational therapist, physical therapist, certified therapeutic recreation specialist, teacher, nurse, social worker, speech therapist, mental health professional, etc. The animal may be handled by the professional or by a volunteer under the direction of a professional. To be considered AAT, a professional must use the animal as part of his/her own specialty. For example, a social worker must use the animal in the context of social work. If this same social worker were to visit a group of children on an informal basis, the activity would be considered AAA.

2) AAT is goal-directed. There is a specific end in mind, such as improvement in social skills, range of motion, verbal skills, attention span, etc. Any visit with an animal may result in the achievement of one or more of these goals. Unless the goals have been identified and defined before the session, there session would not be considered AAT.

3) AAT is documented. Each session is documented in the person's record with the progress and activity noted.

There is a special relationship that happens between dogs and people. Animal assisted therapy uses our natural empathy and rapport for animals for a positive purpose.