Canine Assisted Therapy, Inc.

Canine Assisted Therapy, Inc., offers a variety of senior services to hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospice organizations, and even in-home visits. For seniors, the benefits of a furry companion visit can have life-changing effects that improve their overall health and quality of life.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, "More than 50% of nursing home residents have no living close relative, and it is estimated that 60% of nursing home residents have no visitors.”

Activities performed during senior visits include petting, brushing, walking, and even just simply snuggling. These activities provide a means for staying engaged in everyday movement and behavior. This gives the individual purpose by providing care and love for the animal, while at the same time lowering stress levels, promoting socialization with others, and providing mental stimulation.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that develops as a result of a traumatic experience and involves symptoms of vigilance (being extra alert and aware of surroundings), numbness (having difficulty feeling emotions), and re-experiencing (flashbacks and nightmares). Many military personnel returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been traumatized by their experiences, and some will go on to develop PTSD.

It’s no surprise that a therapy dog can help to soothe and draw out even the most isolated personality, help traumatized veterans overcome emotional numbness, and open the lines of communication which can aid in the healing process.

Canine Assisted Therapy, Inc.’s, therapy teams work with psychologists, social workers, and counselors, to provide support to veterans during group and individual counseling. The mere presence of C.A.T. therapy dogs is proving to be very beneficial in helping veterans cope with issues related to PTSD and other disorders. Therapy dogs also provide motivation and support for veterans in rehabilitation and medical facilities as well as those in skilled nursing care and hospice.

Individuals with Special Needs -
New statistics were released by the Centers for Disease Control in 2014 reporting that about 1 in 68 children has been identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder, according to estimates from the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. Because ASD and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development – characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors – having structured contact with animals can be a great addition for educational and treatment plans.

Working with the University of Miami & Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD), C.A.T. provides therapy teams working with the special needs population with advanced training and tools to ensure the interactions are understood and meaningful for both the therapy team and the recipient. Storybooks are created for each therapy team to make sure the children know what to expect when meeting and interacting with the dog. "Feelings Boards” help volunteers understand how verbal and nonverbal people are feeling about the experience. Also, First/Then scenarios are created to help teach procedures such as greeting a dog, and playing, walking, or grooming the dog.

College Stress Relief Events -
College students experience intense stress and anxiety during mid-term and finals weeks. Considerable research has indicated that when people interact with pets, their level of cortisol – or the stress hormone – decreases, while endorphins or – in the canine world, the happiness hormone – increases, which makes pet therapy at college campuses such a healthful idea. Lower stress = greater performance!

C.A.T. implemented the first therapy dog program in the Broward County, FL court system. When appearing in court, the experience can be uncomfortable, especially for children. Having a therapy dog present both inside and outside the courtroom provides much-needed comfort to children involved in the Dependency System. To participate in this program, C.A.T.-certified therapy teams are required to pass the Advanced Certification and complete the 30-hour Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Training, which certifies and appoints volunteers to protect the rights and advocate for the best interests of a child involved in a court proceeding.

The therapy dogs also visit courtrooms, judges chambers and lobby areas of the courthouse.

Camp Good Grief helps children ages 5 to 15 who are experiencing the death of a loved one.

Through a combination of therapeutic and fun activities with a therapy dog, children are able to learn new ways to cope with grief and begin their healing. They are able to rely on the therapy dog as an outlet for comfort and support while having fun.

Therapy dogs are brought in after mass trauma events to help comfort victims, survivors, and families. Therapy animals are also used in suicide prevention groups in high schools.

Pet therapy teams spend time with patients and family in hospice care.

Therapy dogs provide stress relief during final exams.

Children are taught the safe and appropriate way to approach a dog or to protect themselves if approached by a strange dog. After the presentation, each child has the opportunity to practice what they learned on a therapy dog.

TeleDog is a new online pet therapy program created in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. The program allows us to continue our mission by providing time with a therapy animal on a virtual basis. It allows us to reach people across the country rather than just in our community. Virtual visits are provided to isolated seniors, nursing homes, students working on their reading skills can still practice reading to a therapy dog, etc.