General Benefits of Animal Facilitated Treatment in Medical
Rehabilitation Settings

SOCIALIZATION:

• Interacting with dog, handler and therapist
• Conversing with other patients about dog

COOPERATION:

• Increased willingness to participate in
  treatment sessions

ADJUSTMENT:

• Enhanced self-confidence; ability to direct dog
  and obtain desired response
• Enhanced self-esteem; animal is non-judgmental
  creature

COMFORT:

• Animal provides a warm, comforting presence,
  patient listener and relaxing interlude (particularly helpful with
  children)

Development Steps

• Acquire written permission from Facility
  Administration


• Prepare a program outline, policies and
  procedures and general treatment protocols


• Contact local obedience classes and clubs,
  kennel clubs, breeders, trainers and veterinarians to recruit
  volunteers with appropriate dogs


• Formulate a Volunteer Training Program


• Establish an ‘Animal Evaluation System’
  (Temperament testing, health screening, obedience assessment,
  inventory of any "tricks" in the dog’s behavioral
  repertoire)


• Educate staff by providing in-services, handouts.