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.