Therapy Dogs and Visiting Pets
Stories and Articles on Therapy Dogs, Animal Assisted Therapy, Animal Assisted Activities, Visiting Pets and the Human-Animal BondThis page provides links to stories about pets on visits and press articles about human-animal bond programs including pet visiting program, animal assisted therapy, animal assisted activities, dogs in rehabilitation programs.
Don't expect to find a lot of scientific or research oriented material here. If you are trying to do university level research then make use of the university librarian to show you how to access the relevant publications. Many are on line, but I have neither the time nor the interest to try to maintain information to that level of detail. What you will find here are summaries, observations, and feel good stories. They are here to provide some insight. These are the kind of sites you read to answer the questions (1) what is it like? (2) what can happen? (3) why do it?
Learn About Leo in NEW LIVES: Stories of Rescued Dogs Helping, Healing and Giving Hope, by Joanne Wannan
http://www.3BlackDogs.org/
This book includes a story of Leo, a rescued fighting dog who goes on to help people in animal assisted activities.
An article by Lisa Wagie on her experiences in a variety of aspects of Animal-assisted therapy. Includes description of the talents of her therapy rabbit, Angel Bunny; a discussion of therapeutic horseback riding, and an introduction to "Project Pooch" which is a program using pets in a juvenile rehabilitation program.
Descriptions of therapy dog visits. "This web site is about an adventure with a therapy dog; how we get started, selection of the dog, training, and our vists. "
An article by Cynthia Chandler on the use of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and animal-assisted activity (AAA) as another useful tool which could be offered in counselor education programs and in school counseling programs.
A good overview by Cindy Wirth on animal assisted therapy in general. The kind of article you refer people to when you want a decent one page summary explanation.
An article describing the author's experience with Animal Assisted Activities and describing the R.E.A.D. program.
A general overview on the value of pet therapy with some references.
An article By Cathryn Domrose November 11, 2002 in the on-line magazine, Nurse Week
Patti Webb describes her introduction to Maclaren School's Project Pooch in Oregon introducing juvenile delinquents to caring and training
A nicely done story illustrating therapy dog work by alternating viewpoints. This is one page of a site that explores social issues and collects opinions on ideas presented.
A Washington Post article describes improvements in residential care facilities through cultural change, including the introduction of both visiting and residential companion animals.
Article by Sarah-Jane Noden Describes the work of Bosworth Bloodhound and other pets in easing the lives of hospital patients.
Article by Shelley Bueche describes the work various animal assisted therapy groups in easing the lives of hospital patients.
A list of research projects on a variety of animal related issues including animal assisted therapy. If you are trying to locate research materials on the animal-human bond, pet assisted therapy, or similar issues this a resource you should check.
An article by Katherine Connor and Julie Miller on various animal assisted therapy issues. The article explains the difference between pet visitation and pet therapy, the certification process, infection control issues and more.
Article by Linda Nebbe on the mutual benefits realized between human and animal in animal assisted activities, animal assisted therapy and related programs. The article includes specific examples and a listing of published resources.
This Psychiatric Times article by Sandra B. Barker, Ph.D. (February 1999 Vol. XVI Issue 2) cites various studies documenting how pet ownership and animal visitation may affect physical and mental health. The article includes references to a long list of publications.
A couple of unpublished papers on the benefits of animals in the classroom.
This article originally published in the Annals of Long-term Care, by Steve Reiman focuses on pet visitation therapy in long-term care facilities.
A paper by Joanne Roth published in The International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation. It evaluates the influence of Pet assisted therapy in geriatric rehabilitation programs.
An article of Smithsonian Magazine first published in July 1999 this article discusses the growing acceptance of allowing animals into health care facilities as part of the healing process.
A very sweet description of Jake and his introduction as a visiting dog.
A brief description of a pet therapy program in Gainsville, Florida. Includes a story by "Sasha" a visiting dog.
This article by Linda Wilson Fuoco describes a program in which a patient's own pets are allowed to visit them in the hospital.
Another wonderful article from the Dog Owner's Guide.
This web site by Axis Gears is preparing a 13-part television series on animal-assisted therapy - Fur, Fins and Feathers, MD. The series will explore animal-assisted therapy in every way, shape and form.
This article describes the role Koko and Suki play in their role as therapy dogs for Caring Paws, a local chapter of Therapy Dogs International.
A short article about Pam and Angus and their volunteering in animal assisted activities.
Read about Rosie as she cheers people who are sad or sick or lonely.
A short description of the animal-assisted therapy program at the Colorado Boys Ranch. For a related story see Pets.Coloradosprings.com
An article describing the basic role of visiting and therapy dogs, overview of requirements and how to get started.
This page describes the role of Miss Molly, a standard poodle, in the author's psychotherapy practice.
The author describes the healing influence of her own dog, and her later introduction into pet therapy for others.
Horses, dogs, dolphins, this sites lists links to a variety of "other" therapy animals web sites.
An article by Theresa Deschamps for Canine Canada about one pet therapy team, and an overview of the benefits and requirements of participation in a pet therapy program.
This article overviews the benefits of an animal therapy program.
Stories written from the view point of the visiting pet.
We are a beauty salon that specializes in "special needs" childrens hair cuts. the dogs are trained from birth to sit with autistic children and other disablities while they get a hair cut. the dogs also go to project freedom an adult disable living community and visit and sit with the tenants while they receive free manicures and haircuts.
More Therapy Dog Resources from Dogwise Books
The following links may also be of interest:
(1) Promote visiting pets with a variety of visiting pet/therapy pet apparel, tote bags, bumper stickers and more from DogPlay Shops. Identify your team as a visiting pet or therapy pet team with custom shirts or pin buttons.
(2) Books and Videos - Selected books and videos for everyone from the person interested in how to train their dog for visiting to the professional counselor incorporating animals in a guided treatment program.
(3) Resources Links - Web sites providing information on how to train for visits, how to start your own group, or academic studies.
(4) Coursework and Education Links - Organizations providing formal training, academic credit, seminars and similar advanced training for the human half of the team.
(5) Stories and Article Links - Stories about pets on visits and press articles about human-animal bond programs including pet visiting program, animal assisted therapy, animal assisted activities, dogs in rehabilitation programs.
(6) Volunteer Organizations Links - Web sites maintained by organizations that are active in pet visitation programs.
(7) Networking Links .- Discussion groups, email lists, bulletin boards and similar resources for contacting individuals involved in therapy dog and similar programs.
(8) Related information:
Service Dog Links . Service dog information and resources. Therapy dogs are not service dogs. A service animal is assigned to provide assistance or support to a specific individual.
Special Program Links Information on organizations training dogs for rehabilitation therapy for prisoners, teens in trouble and related kinds of programs.
| DogPlay's Visiting Pet Stuff |
Check the other articles on therapy dogs, visiting pets and
related topics.
Also see Books and Publications - How to train your dog, how to start a program, and more.
Help finding information of visiting pets and therapy dogs
Lost? PageList lists all the DogPlay pages.
Check the Help page. 
Custom therapy shirts, mugs, buttons, stickers and other dog lover gifts: DogPlay Shops
Copyright © 1998-2005, Diane Blackman Created: February 12, 1998 Updated November 12, 2007