|
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
Dr. Risë VanFleet is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with IAABC |
Canine-Assisted Play Therapy & Family
Therapy
If
you live in the Carlisle, PA region and would like more information
about participation in the Playful Pooch Program, please contact
Dr. VanFleet using the "contact" section in the upper
left corner of this page.
Download
a brochure about the Playful Pooch Program.
| The Playful Pooch Program is designed to
provide canine-assisted play therapy services to children
and families and to offer training in the use of canines
in play therapy to mental health professionals. Canine-Assisted
Play Therapy is a combination of the well-established fields
of Animal Assisted Therapy and Play Therapy. Playful child-canine
interactions are systematically used to make progress toward
therapeutic goals. Substantial research has clearly demonstrated
the importance of the human-animal bond as well as the value
of properly trained animals for treating children with a
wide range of difficulties. The Playful Pooch Program is
just one part of the child’s overall treatment, but
it can facilitate progress on many dimensions. |
|
Safety
Every effort is made to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the Playful Pooch Program. Only properly trained dogs are used, and all interactions with children are completely supervised. Parents or caregivers should discuss with their therapist any pet allergies or prior negative experiences with animals that the child may have had. This program is completely voluntary. In the very unlikely event of scratches or other injuries, staff will immediately inform parents and apply first aid. To date, the program has run successfully with no negative incidents.
Preparation of the Child
We prepare children in advance of meeting the therapy dog so they know what to
expect and how to greet the dog safely. We teach children some simple canine “body
language,“ basic commands, how to give the dog adequate space when interacting,
and how to use treats safely. We also give the child suggestions and reminders
as they are meeting and interacting with the dog. Any behaviors by the child
or the dog that could lead to injury are stopped immediately and a different
activity is used.
Benefits
There are many potential benefits of Canine-Assisted Play Therapy. Your therapist
will discuss possible advantages for your child when recommending this program.
Some of the common benefits are listed below.
- Helps children open up quickly, capitalizing on the natural
interest that children have in animals
- Fosters healthy attachment relationships, not only with
the dog, but also with people
- Develops children’s empathy, sharing,
and care-giving capabilities
- Builds children’s skills and confidence
in themselves
- Allows children to experience unconditional
acceptance; therapy dogs quickly communicate how special they
think the children are in a way that children understand
- Helps children share traumatic experiences in
an emotionally safe way
- Teaches children appropriate behaviors with
animals, and consequently, with other children and people
- Prepares children for encounters with unfamiliar
dogs in public
- Helps children become more motivated for exercise
and fitness
- Helps calm children emotionally and physiologically;
reduces anxieties and fears
- Provides a unique opportunity for children to
overcome fear of dogs
- Helps children who have been abused, neglected,
or rejected find new hope
Canines are playful, and children usually are
very motivated to play with them--both speak the “language” of
play.
I could never take dogs for granted. .
. . They were just animals, after all, and it seemed to me
that their main preoccupation ought to be in seeking food
and protection; instead they dispensed a flow of affection
and loyalty which appeared to be limitless.
--James Herriot, veterinarian & author
What Goes On?
A number of different activities and interactions are used to accomplish therapeutic
goals. Some of the options are listed below.
- Children help train the dog, learning basic
obedience commands. They also can help teach the dog new tricks.
- Children learn how to stay safe with dogs as
well as how to keep the dog safe.
- Children take part in grooming and caring for
the dog, learning appropriate touch and sensitivity to the
dog’s signals. This can help calm both the child and
the dog.
- Children learn agility activities, such as running
a small obstacle course with the dog.
- When the therapy dog is present as a part of
the playroom, children may involve it in some of their imaginary
play.
- Children might communicate their thoughts and
feelings to the dog, either directly by telling the dog, or
indirectly by stories or artwork involving the dog.
- Children engage in problem-solving by helping
the dog “resolve” problems that might be similar
to the child’s.
- Children learn to self-regulate their emotions
and behaviors as they interact with the dog. They learn responsibility
for the safety and enjoyment of all involved.
- Children play a variety of games with
the dog, designed to help the child with various problems
or to build the child’s confidence.
 |
All the interactions are kept playful to
maintain a climate of emotional safety for the child. Much
therapy work can occur in this environment. Sometimes the
children initiate the activities with the canine, and at
other times, the therapist suggests brief activities tailored
to the child’s personality, strengths, and needs. Children
are never asked to do something if they feel uncomfortable
with it. |
 back
to top
Humane
Education
Many studies have shown a strong link between
people's behavior toward animals and their behavior toward other
people. Children who learn to be kind and sensitive with animals
are much more likely to use those same behaviors with other children.
The Playful Pooch Program is involved in teaching children how
to have happy, healthy, and caring relationships with the animals
in their lives. Occasionally we offer special programs on this
topic, and we are available to speak to school classes or other
groups about a variety of animal-related topics, including the
benefits of human-animal bonds, animals in nature, the similarities
of animal emotions and human emotions, how to meet and greet
animals safely, how human play and animal play are similar, how
to be friends with animals. Dr. VanFleet also offers some presentations
featuring her extensive collection of photos and videos of animals
in the wild, animals at play, life in Alaska, and so on. Contact
her for more information.
We will regularly be adding new articles and information to this
website related to the subject of humane education, and our Resources
section includes suggested readings on this topic as well as
others.
back
to top
Child and Family Dog
Training On a limited part-time basis in the Carlisle, PA area, Dr. Risë VanFleet offers dog- and people-friendly dog training at your home for everyone in the family. She uses behaviorally-proven methods, with an emphasis on positive approaches that build your relationship with your dog/s. She encourages children to participate. Risë works with most dog breeds, and she offers discounted fees for dogs adopted from rescue/shelter.
Dr. VanFleet's training style is fun (for people AND dogs!), practical, and effective, and she collaborates with families to make sure that the training "fits" with their daily lives. If she is unable to provide training, she will suggest other dog trainers who use behaviorally-based, relationship-oriented training. The Canine Good Citizen evaluation is also available.
Risë has experience training rescue dogs to prepare them for adoption, so if you've recently adopted a dog and want to get off to a good start, contact her (upper left corner of this page).
Limited availability by appointment.
For a full brochure of the Playful Pooch Dog
Training and Behavior Consultation Service, please
click here.
back
to top
Canine Behavior Consultations
If you have a dog with behavioral problems, Dr. Risë VanFleet is available on a part-time basis to assist, or when she is unable to help, to make referrals. Contact Risë to discuss a consultation about the following problems and more.
- separation anxiety
- aggression
- resource guarding
- chewing
- overweight
- fears, anxiety
- deafness, blindness, other disabling conditions
- compulsive behaviors
- jumping up
- multi-dog, multi-animal households
For a full brochure of the Playful Pooch Dog
Training and Behavior Consultation Service, please
click here.
back
to top |
