Krylyn Peters

“I named my dog Faith. I named her that because I have faith in her.” "I have learned to be more patient and Mack has brought up my mood when I’m down.” “Working with my dog has allowed me to learn so much about myself and others.” “…I finally got my level for the first time since I’ve been here! I want to come work with my dog so it makes me try harder in my program.” These quotes come from youth in our program who have been labeled as a “bad seed,” “monster,” “unreachable” or “untreatable.” Thankfully, the dogs with whom they have worked do not see the children that way. Instead, these behaviorally challenged shelter dogs have helped the youth improve their self-efficacy, self-worth, patience, impulse control and accountability.

For some of those planning to use animal assisted therapy (AAT), it is equivalent to getting a new piece of technology without the benefit of directions. AAT seems simple enough; just bring the friendly dog along to the clinic as you would any other accessory and voila, sit back and watch the magic happen. Wouldn’t it be great if it worked that way? But alas, just like any other therapeutic intervention, it doesn’t.

Sandy Urkovich is a counselor in Sanibel Island, Florida and a recent graduate of an online animal assisted therapy certificate program. With her clients, Sandy uses her own dogs who have helped not only ameliorate relationships, but often provide a temporary deflection of feelings of pain, or offer a shoulder to cry on. Here is what Sandy has to say about her dog Duke: “Duke came into my life when he was two years old…after being 'forgotten' once the children of his human family were born in his former home in Chicago. I flew him to Florida in 2002 and he has been a very relevant part of our family ever since.

Those of us who work within the realm of animal assisted therapy often see the effects that an animal can make on a struggling client, patient, student or resident. Animal assisted therapy makes an exceptional adjunct to traditional modes of therapy…even for some of the most challening cases. Angela Sabin Veek, started PAWSitive Changes when she was staff at a youth corrections facility in Oregon. PAWSitive Changes strives to reach youth and dogs in need by pairing incarcerated youth with shelter dogs for the benefit of both. The idea to start the program began she asked the question, “How can you make a youth care about something when they have nothing to lose?”

Horses have been used therapeutically with those who have physical, developmental and emotional limitations for more than four decades. As very social creatures, horses are often eager to please the humans in their lives. They cannot be easily forced into submission, but rather respond positively to slow, deliberate actions evoking trust.