in association with Amazon.com and Dogwise.com.
Animal-Assisted Activities and Therapy
Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling, by Cynthia K. Chandler (Available from Amazon.com)
Therapy Dogs, Compassionate Modalities, by Kris Butler 2004.
Freckles, The Mystery of the Little White Dog in the Desert, by Paul M. Howey.
Between Pets and People : The Importance of Animal Companionship by Alan M. Beck, et al. 1996. (Available from Dogwise.)
The Good Shepherd : A Special Dog's Gift of Healing by Jo Coudert. 1998. (Available from Amazon.com.)
Handbook of Animal Assisted Therapy: Theoretical Foundations and Guidelines for Practice by Aubrey H. Fine (Editor). 1999. (Available from Amazon.com.)
Nose to Nose: A Memoir of Healing by Barry J. Schieber. 2002. (Available from Amazon.com.)
Therapy Dogs Today, Their Gifts, Our Obligation by Kris Butler. 2004. (Available from Amazon.com and Dogwise.com)
“Therapy Dogs Today: Their Gifts, Our Obligation by Kris Butler, explores complex professional and ethical issues that surround the environments in which therapy dogs do their jobs.” Anyone who trains or handles visiting therapy dogs will find this an insightful reference. Professionals who proactively utilize therapy dogs in their workplace will gain an insider’s viewpoint on how to contribute to the success of a visiting animal program. As a Delta-licensed Instructor, Evaluator, and Pet Partner myself, I commend Kris’ ability to present a balanced perspective on the role of a therapy dog. In addition to the role of the animal, she provides insight on how critical the collaborative roles of the handler and client are in enabling and ensuring a functional and effective therapy team.
The increased interest from people desiring to have their pet dog become a therapy dog is mirrored in the increasing demand from healthcare and educational facilities to find therapy dog teams to come and interact with their patients and clients with the goal of enhancing lives. What is often lacking on both sides is a commitment to standards of practice which address the necessary preparedness to ensure a successful visiting animal program which is exemplified by the skilled, trained and humane utilization of a therapy dog.
“Nothing else dogs do compares to the kinds of intrinsically stressful social interaction that takes place when they visit clinical, educational, or post-trauma situations. Dogs who actually enjoy (these types of) interactions are very rare, and the uniqueness of their talent should be appreciated.” Kris incites serious reflection when she refers to dogs having an inherent talent for the task of visiting. There is much debate over whether or not reluctant dogs can be conditioned to enjoy visiting. Many fine therapy dogs came from a history which put them at a distinct disadvantage when it came to accommodating the various environmental dynamics of visiting. Regardless of the nature vs. nurture debate, Kris maintains clear focus and is very accurate in stating “ A key issue relating to visiting dogs is that the reasons behind their behavior are not as important as the effects of their behavior”. How our clients perceive the actions of our therapy dogs is the pivotal point to focus on.
Again, to give the reader a clear understanding of the obligation and responsibility inherent in creating an effective visit environment for a therapy dog, Kris poignantly states “Welcoming dogs and handlers into clinical and educational environments without first assessing the teams’ qualifications and behaviors on-site is an unacceptable risk.” While the handler is ultimately responsible for ethical standards of practice during a visit, the facility staff, which is just as key a player as the handler and the therapy dog, has responsibility to facilitate intervention and, ultimately, to ensure safe and effective interactions between their clients and a therapy dog.
Careful not to leave any part of the equation incomplete, Kris challenges instructors and trainers to be dissatisfied with arbitrarily issuing what she calls “blank checks of approval” to handlers but, rather, to prepare them well by imparting to them an understanding of both the visit environment and how to read and interpret their dog’s responses to that environment.
This book achieves the goal of providing awareness to the instructor, handler, and facility staff person alike, that effective utilization of a therapy dog does not occur in a vacuum. It requires the combined effort and understanding of all involved in therapeutic intervention with a dog that collaboration is a key element of success and, most importantly, that compassion toward our loyal therapy dogs is a must. I urge anyone who desires to become a more effective instructor, evaluator, therapy dog team, or facility staff person utilizing AAA/T to partake of Kris’ extensive knowledge and experience. The result will be an increased ability to creatively and responsibly work with therapy dogs and, as Kris would say, to “discover the endless possibilities inside.”
Reviewed by
Diana McQuarrie
Wanted: Animal Volunteers by Mary R. Burch. 2002. (Revised edition of Volunteering with Your Pet.) (Available from Dogwise.com.)
You Have a Visitor: Observations on Pet Visitation and Therapy by Renee Lamm Esordi. 2000. (Available from Amazon.com.)
Therapeutic Riding
Horse the Handicapped, the Riding Team in a Therapeutic Riding Program : A Volunteer Training Manual by Barbara T. Engel (Editor). 1994. (Available from Amazon.com.)
Children and Animals
Canines in the Classroom, Raising Humane Children Through Interactions with Animals, by Michelle A. Rivera (Available from Amazon.com and Dogwise.com)
“My theory has always been, if you plant a seed then hopefully one day the seed will take root and grow.” Michelle A. Rivera’s book “Canines in the Classroom” is such a seed. My hope is that after you have read her book, you too, will share the humane education techniques that Ms. Rivera outlines, with all those you encounter as Pet Partners. She has made this any easy approach with lesson plans, contact lists, organizations, fundraising ideas and a glossary. It is the obvious next step for those of us working with today’s youth with our therapy animals. Her ideas and resources are creative and time-saving.
When I was asked to review this work, I did not realize the depth of the book. It is comprehensive and intelligent. This book affects us all, we are all responsible to educate and encourage others to understand what we as Delta Society members all know “the human/animal connection”. There are fewer than one hundred professional, salaried humane educators in the United States. I think Pet Partners across the U.S. can further enhance the humane education process. This book is a recipe for getting there
The chapters in “Canines in the Classroom” are varied. It breaks step-by-step instructions in chapter three for getting a humane education program started in your community. There are references with organizations to help such as Delta Society, HSUS & AHA. Chapter four discusses keeping animals in the classroom and the responsibilities educators have to specific needs those animals have. I appreciate the acknowledgement of those animal’s rights as living creatures. Isn’t that what humane education is all about. A lesson in chapter ten really hit; home with me on helping young children understand the need to have dogs and cats neutered. Children in a class were given photos of puppies, all with Velcro on the backs of them. Around their classroom were photos of homes all with Velcro spots on them. The children were asked to find a “home” for their puppies by affixing their puppy to a house. Sadly there are many puppies left without homes. A photo of an animal shelter is brought out with several Velcro spots on it. Again the children try to find a place for their puppies. The children are then given the assignment to figure out what to do with the remaining puppies. These lessons helped the children understand in a humane way why it is important to be responsible pet owners. There are many ideas and examples in this book for learning empathy and the importance of it with all living things. The book also takes on animal cruelty. Signs to be aware of and what to do are included. There is a correlation of animal abuse and family abuse and there are organizations such as HSUS’s First Start Campaign that can help.
The seventeen chapters filled with valuable resources for any of us out in the community with our therapy animals. All Delta members can take away something beneficial from “Canines in the Classroom”. You don’t have to be in a classroom to be able to use the information provided. The knowledge and expertise Michelle Rivera brings to her book makes it a resource you should not miss.
Dogs Helping Kids with Feelings (Dogs Helping People) by Terry Vinocur. 1999. (Available from Amazon.com)
A Gift to Share, The Story of Moritz, by Barry J. Schieber (Available from Amazon.com)
Reading Education Assistance Dogs, A Program of Intermountain Therapy Animals (Available from Intermountain Therapy Animals)
Therapeutic Recreation for Exceptional Children : Let Me In, I Want to Play by Aubrey H. Fine (Editor), Nya M. Fine (Editor). Hardcover. 1996. Also available as a Paperback (1997). (Available from Amazon.com.)
