Pet Assisted Therapy Marie Volbrecht, PhD, LP, ABN

Why Animals? Psychological Benefits Physical Benefits

Pet Therapy v. Pet Assisted Therapy Pet Therapy Pet Assisted Therapy - Changing to Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) or Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI)

Which Animals? Dogs are most commonly thought of Many others: horses, cats, rabbits, even rats! Some organizations certify only certain species

Choosing Your Animal Species Size Qualities – Grooming requirements – Amount of time / care involved – Amount of training involved What happens if you don’t pass?

Training Dogs in particular have guidelines and procedures Start early Socialize often Think ahead

Certification Organizations Therapy Dogs Incorporated (TD Inc) Pet Partners (formerly Delta Society) Therapy Dogs International (TDI) Love On a Leash (Pet-Provided Therapy) Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs

READ Intermountain Therapy Animals First certify as Animal-Assisted Therapy Then additional process for READ

Therapy Dogs, Inc. As the name suggests: Dogs only (any breed or mix) At least one year of age Tested as a team and then observed doing 3 visits before certified Includes liability insurance when volunteering – not when “on the clock”

Pet Partners Various species included: dogs, cats, alpacas, horses, rabbits, pocket pets, birds, pigs Course and evaluation for person and then team test Smaller pets at least 6 months old; dogs and larger animals at least one year old Also offers liability insurance when volunteering

You’re Certified. Now what? Schedule Policies Liability Back up

What exactly do I do? Screen the people – protect the animal Have a goal in mind Proprioception, Tactile, and Motor Problem Solving Spatial Processing Memory and Attention Social and Emotional Speech and Language

I Can Bill For This? Animal-Assisted Therapy – view as another tool in your professional toolbox CPT codes: Billable = Having a purpose