Nicole Verret

10/5/2015

LEI 4724

Dog Therapy
Citation Source: Cory, L., McKenny, A., Marsden, S. (2011). Facilitation techniques in
therapeutic recreation. J. Dattilo and A. McKenny (Eds). State College, PA: Venture Publishing.
Equipment Needed: Dog(s) who are certified through Therapy Dogs International (TDI).
Activity Description: This activity is designed for a group setting with children, where there is a
large room such as an auditorium, and multiple therapy dogs and their owners. The dogs and
owners would be seated at intervals throughout the room. This may be appropriate in a school
setting, a community recreation center, hospital or mental health clinic. The children can be
separated into small groups, about three maximum per dog. The children will be instructed which
dog to start at, and at set intervals will be asked to rotate to the next dog around the room. Have
plenty of time set aside for the children to be able to spend equal amount of time at each station,
and at the end of the time, encourage the children to say goodbye as a group before the dogs take
their exit. Depending on the age and size of the group time can be spent talking with the group as
to their favorite part, any special memories, pets they have at home, etc. The focus of this activity
is to provide positive social interaction with the animals, the owners and their peers where they
must practice taking turns.
Leadership Considerations: It will be important to review rules and expectations with the
children prior to meeting with the dogs. Basic information about dogs can be reviewed, as well
as etiquette such as not staring at a dog in its eyes, not pulling on fur or tails, or putting hands
into the dogs mouths. It is important to limit the number of children in the groups to not
overwhelm the dog but also to allow each child time to feel as though they were able to be with
each dog. The owners will want to be prepared to talk with each group of children about the dog,
share information about their pet.
Adaptations : For individuals in a long term setting such as a group home or nursing home this
activity can be adapted to where the pets are also residents and serve as companion animals and
the residents take care and tend to the animals. This can provide a sense of purpose, ownership
and responsibility, and perhaps be reminiscent of times when they had a pet at home. Within a
hospital setting, dog therapy would be better performed 1:1, especially if you are working with
individuals who are immunocompromised. The size of the dog can be varied, depending on if the
resident is in bed, out of bed, etc. participants may like a dog that can be held, or sit on their lap,
or a larger dog that sits next to them.