Therapy Dogs By Steve
1. Definitions According To The Americans With Disabilities Act
An individual with a disability is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. This definition of disability is broad, and we must look closer at what it means to understand the implications for therapy dog teams. This law was initially written to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities, and its jurisdiction only extends to those individuals. However, subsequent changes to the ADA and the Department of Justice's implementing regulations may change how this is explicitly defined in the case of students. Because the rights of students with disabilities are no different than those of adults with disabilities, they may use therapy dogs in academic institutions just the same as working adults. In June 2010, the Department of Justice provided updated provisions of the ADA to "create greater consistency between the Titles II and III regulations, which will help members of the public better understand the rights and obligations outlined in the ADA." The Department of Justice papers outline new provisions for service animals and their handlers but do not aim to change the definition of "disability".
Therapy dogs are dogs that are trained to work with people with disabilities in a variety of settings. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a person with a disability can receive the help they need from a therapy dog, and the definition of a therapy dog is in direct correlation with that of a person with a disability. Unfortunately, because the term "therapy dog" is used so loosely throughout the country, it has been dramatically misinterpreted by people in many industries. There are therapy dogs that are trained to work with people who have mental or emotional disabilities. These animals work in nursing homes, group homes, and hospitals. There are also therapy dogs used in reading programs in elementary schools, and there are even therapy dogs trained to work with children with physical disabilities.
Regardless of the setting, a therapy dog is trained to work with people with disabilities in petting, grooming, and walking activities. While the specifics of what a therapy dog does can vary greatly, the hope is always the same—to improve the mental and physical health of a person with a disability. Often, the work of a therapy dog can provide a change in attitude that results in a person being more open to other forms of therapy.
While this definition is closely related to the first, it differs in the fact that while a service animal is required to be trained in at least one specific task and perform that task for its owner, a therapy animal specializes in raising spirits and mood in humans, often not even having to make physical contact with the people it is servicing. This animal can usually be its owner's pet. This animal benefits its owner's emotional or mental state, whereas a service animal is often used to aid with a disability. Since it has been recognized that many people with emotional disabilities can benefit from the companionship of an animal, a therapy animal can be beneficial in such a wide array of situations. Therapy animals are generally not provided public access rights as service animals are. They may also work in facilities that are not as accessible to the general public, such as a therapy animal that uses amateur racing to work with an owner who has schizophrenia. In this case, Jaqaru, a therapy rabbit, can work on her backyard track, which has helped keep her motivated and out of the hospital for the last ten years.
This definition does not explicitly exclude any that are not dogs, nor does it exclude any specific breeds. A new ruling in the ADA prevents certain breed bans from affecting service animals. This means that any breed of dog can be a service dog. However, in the cases of specific breeds that there is evidence to show that they are inherently dangerous, a particular animal can be excluded from an individual public place if it poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others. This is in an extreme case and hardly happens.
This definition of a service animal is an exclusionary clause. This means a dog not meeting this definition is not considered a service animal. It states that a service animal is a dog trained to perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The tasks can be anything, ranging from pulling a wheelchair, retrieving items, alerting to seizures or changes in blood sugar, or providing physical support and assistance. It goes on to say that the tasks performed by the dog must be directly related to the person's disability. This is important because if the functions are not associated with the disability, then the person is not allowed to bring the dog with them when accessing places of public accommodations. At the end of the definition, there is an additional note that says that the work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler's functional limitations due to their disability. This definition is more specific than Definition 2 and weeds out what is commonly considered therapy or emotional support animals.
Your trainer will provide the evaluative criteria for the organization you hope to be registered with. It is beneficial for you and your dog to visit the location where your therapy work will occur. This will allow you and your dog to experience real-life scenarios and possible encounters. Therapy dog training classes and evaluations are not to be taken lightly. It is a long process that involves a commitment to improving one's best friend and companion in addition to oneself. The American Working Dog Association provides further information about therapy dog evaluations.
Training an animal to be a therapy dog involves teaching a dog to be well-behaved and reliable in any environment. Dogs and handlers usually take a training course together. Depending on the organization, your therapy dog can be trained in obedience classes at several levels. Many therapy dog organizations do not require the dog to take an obedience class to be registered. However, the dog and handler must agree with the dog's training and know the dog's behavior and body language.
A significant point needs to be made here: not all friendly, well-behaved dogs can become therapy dogs. There are some special criteria that all good therapy dogs must meet. For instance, a good therapy dog must be friendly, patient, gentle, and at ease in all situations. Therapy dogs must enjoy human contact and be content to be petted, cuddled, and handled, sometimes clumsily. They must be predictable, reliable, and safe around all people, young or old, small or large. Therapy dogs should have a calm and gentle temperament. They should also be friendly and patient. Therapy dogs must be comfortable around equipment such as wheelchairs and crutches and are not frightened by unusual noises. They need to be outgoing and friendly with a gentle disposition. A therapy dog's primary job is to allow unfamiliar people to make physical contact with it and to overcome any barriers that may prevent them. These dogs are meant to help people feel more comfortable and at ease, and they will often visit hospitals and retirement homes where they will encounter people with special needs. This allows the person to cope with his or her problems; the dogs can bring joy and a break from the routine of daily life. While any dog can become a therapy dog, some breeds are more suitable than others. Mostly, the dog should like humans and enjoy human interaction. A therapy dog's responsibility is to its handler. Any dog breed can be registered as a "Therapy Dog" today through various organizations. Still, the most essential issue is whether or not the dog has the right temperament and personality for therapy visits.
Optional Test - The TDI CGC. Although the Canine Good Citizen Program tests basic obedience and behavior, it indicates the dog's ability to function safely and reliably in the human environment. The CGC award is a prerequisite for therapy dog testing with Therapy Dogs International. For people who want to be sure their dog can fulfill therapy dog work before taking the test, the CGC award is now an optional test for assessing therapy dog teams. Although not mandatory, it is very beneficial for therapy dog teams to attain the CGC award before therapy dog testing or reassessment and to maintain the prize throughout the dog's therapy work.
Volunteering and visiting skills. Therapy dog handlers provide encouragement, comfort, and an inviting presence to the people they visit. They must develop their interpersonal skills and learn about their volunteering settings to be effective. The key to the dog's effectiveness as a therapy dog is the ability of the handler to motivate and direct the dog. Therapy dog and handler teams work in a wide variety of settings, and each of these settings has its specific demands. Therefore, therapy dog training is a never-ending process. Handlers and dogs must continuously improve their services and learn to work effectively in new environments.
Dogs visiting a hospital can also provide a source of enjoyment and distraction for those who are in outpatient care. Often, the simple act of petting a dog can promote an easier and faster recovery. Dogs can also absorb the emotional stress of those at a hospital. This suggests that negative emotions are transferred to the dog, leaving the patient more at ease. There is no doubt that therapy dogs can comfort those in the hospital, whether through a simple diversion while sick or injured or through absorbing some of the stress brought on by a patient's illness.
Therapy dogs can provide excellent support and companionship for people in various settings. Grouped into general categories, it is helpful for a therapy dog to possess the ability to offer affection, comfort, and love to people in their time of need. Long-term care facilities are one of the best places for a therapy dog to work. Those residing in a long-term care facility are often lonely, missing their pets, and longing for a dog's simple companionship. Therapy dogs can help facilitate a positive experience for the facility's residents by providing a pleasant diversion to the day. The presence of a dog can also make it easier to connect with other residents. Seeing a dog may prompt those less active to leave their rooms and take a short walk, providing some physical activity and possibly lifting their mood. Therapy dogs can also positively impact an often stressful workplace for caregivers in long-term care facilities.
Long-term care pet therapy programs usually operate in residential facilities for the elderly. However, therapy dogs can also provide services for the physically or mentally impaired, who may be of any age. A successful animal-assisted therapy program in a nursing home must be long-term since the relationship-building process is essential. Typically, nursing homes allow pets and therapy dogs to visit the residents because of the proven benefits of interacting with an animal. However, the common practice of visiting may not constitute a successful therapy program. It is known that therapy dog visits help normalize the environment, reduce patient stress and talkativeness among themselves, significantly increasing interaction between residents and visiting family and friends. Ample anecdotal evidence illustrates patients' positive attitudes and behaviors in environments where therapy animals are brought in. This evidence would soon be underpinned by data from a recently completed study. This is the most promising project to date validating the value of pet visits for the elderly. Barring any complications in the dog's health, dog and handler teams can be effective in complex healthcare situations. A recent study at a non-veteran hospital in Miami was conducted to see if therapy dogs could provide viable therapy to HIV/AIDS patients. At first, it was expected to be merely a novelty act. Yet after just three visits from therapy dogs, there was such overwhelming support from the hospital community that the program is ongoing. Therapy dogs can also help in physical rehabilitation. A dog's presence can motivate a patient to accomplish a task they may view as tedious. For the physically impaired, therapy dogs can add an extra dimension to their lives, which in turn helps to create a more welcoming environment for pet visits.
The Bellevue/New York University Program for Survivors of Torture initiated an animal-assisted therapy program with survivors of politically motivated torture and their families. The program aims to help patients overcome social isolation and rebuild interpersonal trust. The therapy dogs have effected spectacular improvement between visits one and two in receptivity and responsiveness for patients. This highly effective program plans to renew its efforts with more frequent therapy dog visits. Studies show that simply patting a dog can reduce blood pressure. Hospitals have come to recognize that the presence of gentle, nonjudgmental pets can have a calming effect on patients. Visits from therapy dogs provide a welcome distraction for patients and can also help reduce boredom, feelings of isolation, and depression. The short-term interactions between the dog and patient often encourage communication and emotional expression from people who are otherwise resistant to interactions with others.
Because of their proven effectiveness in providing comfort, increasing confidence, and raising the motivation of children struggling with reading, it is becoming increasingly common to see therapy dog teams in school and library settings. In the UK, for example, Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D) is 'designed to improve children's reading and communication skills utilizing the unique child-friendly approach of therapy dogs.' Through the scheme, reluctant readers are matched up with a dog and handler and tasked with reading to the dog (or sometimes with the dog following along) in an environment where it is simply the child, the dog, and a book. It has been an incredible success, and similar schemes are being implemented worldwide.
Children represent a significant portion of people who experience stress and benefit from Animal Assisted Therapy. The contribution of therapy dogs in this field, while perhaps less publicized, is no less significant. A study in a south-eastern university in the United States found that therapy dog visitation 'significantly improved' the immediate and overall perceptions of stress in over 300 student volunteers. In this, and many cases, the interaction rather than the visitation is the critical factor in stress reduction. Interactions with animals are 'useful in developing personal, social and emotional skills' in children. They are a 'useful tool in enabling children to relax, open up and have fun while learning.'
Numerous studies have concluded that dogs can be a great help to persons who are dealing with debilitating diseases, especially mental illness. In a large market in the United States, therapy dogs serve as helpmates to those in need. Relatively easy to train, a therapy dog typically receives its Canine Good Citizen certificate from the American Kennel Club, and then its owner works with whichever agency the owner desires. Once accepted, the dog perpetually makes visits to brighten people's days or reduce client stress by improving the atmosphere of human contact. These interactions build a positive association with receiving care, further helping these persons to reach their ultimate goal of recovery. The population that dogs serve is vast, ranging from persons in a hospital for cancer treatment to inmates in a juvenile detention center, even grieving parents who have recently lost a child. Often, the dog and owner visit the exact location several times, as the clients always expect a fantastic visit from the dog and may consistently ask when the dog returns. Therapy dogs also have a positive effect on the dogs themselves. Take, for example, a service dog bred and trained to do a specific task. This could mean many behaviors, yet none of these dogs ever experience being a dog, perhaps until retirement. Therapy dogs are often trained early in a dog's life and continue performing this job until they cannot physically continue. It's not rare that a therapy dog is retired and replaced by another eager dog ready to help. This gives the dog a sense of purpose, doing what it knows best until its last days.
