Agenda Introductions Rationale for a therapy dog program on a college campus Utilization of therapy dog at Loyola Development of policy and procedures Identify what type of dog works best Lessons learned

Introductions Human Providers: Joan Holden, APN Associate Director, Loyola Wellness Center Dianna Stencel, MSW Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Loyola Wellness Center Animal provider : Tivo- Certified Therapy Dog, Loyola Wellness Center

Rationale – the Story Our first encounter Reading about benefits Canine Therapy Corp More reading about benefits “What if we had our own dog?”

Well documented health benefits Improve mood Impact on stress related parameters such as cortisol, heart rate and blood pressure. Self reports on fear & anxiety Interpersonal interactions

Rational – The Loyola Model A novel way to reach out to students and de-stigmatize therapy and provide another therapeutic service.

Ways dogs serve Service DogsTherapy Dogs (Animal Assisted Interventions) Emotional Support Animal Individually trained to perform tasks and mitigate their handlers’ disabilities. Also receive extensive training to provide psychological or physiological therapy to individuals other than their handlers Not required to undergo specialized training. Provide their disabled owners with emotional comfort. One dog to one personOne dog for many clients One dog to one person Handlers’ rights to be accompanied by these dogs in establishments open to the public are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Not protected by ADA

Definitions Animal Assisted Activities AAAAnimal Assisted Therapy AAT Casual ‘meet & greet’ activities that involve animals visiting people Significant part of treatment for people with physically, socially, emotionally and/or cognitive challenges No specific treatment goals plannedStated goals for each session Same activity can be used with many people Individual treatment for each patient Visit content is spontaneousVisit is scheduled, usually at planned intervals Visit can be long or short as desiredLength of visit is pre-determined to best fit needs of patient

Therapeutic activities Talk with Tivo Wellness events Individual therapy Group therapy Comfort animal

Other Duties as Assigned Facebook Page (share prevention information, promotes Wellness Center, build community) Attends Events (promotes Wellness Center, build community) Other projects & collaborations (build community)

What type of dog works best? Decision on breed Prior history of the dog Training background Certification Nationally Therapy Dog International, Pet Partners Local (to Chicago) Canine Therapy Corp, Rainbow Therapy Dogs

Tivo’s Performance Review "To understand the impact and affection that Tivo garners on campus, you have to understand that we have Sr. Jean, a spry and ever-happy, 94- year-old nun who is also the Men's Basketball Team chaplain. She is the most popular person on campus....on two legs. Then, Tivo rivals her on four." Fr Michael Garanzini, S.J. - President Loyola University Chicago

Tivo’s Performance Review “ Tivo has the ability to help build the relationships that support students to succeed at Loyola. And despite being busy, he seems to enjoy it and always wants to give more. For me, he is an ideal staff member.” Fr. Justin Daffron, S.J. Associate Provost for Academic Services

Policy: safe use of the therapy dog Leashed at all times Updated health records Supervised with students Registration updated annually No food from students, faculty or staff Registered through a pet assisted therapy organization

Continued Grooming/Hygiene One handler Bathroom etiquette Behavior management Minimum age requirement

Setting up program Housing arrangements Managing campus partners Managing multiple handlers Managing Tivo’s work space & schedule Learning to say NO.

For consideration Financial Implications Legal Implications Human Resources Daily Care Vacations Managing Problem Behaviors Scheduling Issues

Lessons Learned Discussion & Questions

Resources Certification and more about AAI Nationally Therapy Dog International, Pet Partners (formerly Delta Society) Local (to Chicago) Canine Therapy Corp, Rainbow Therapy Dogs

More resources: books Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling. Routledge Cynthia K. Chandler. Handbook on Animal Assisted Therapy: Theoretical Foundations and Guidelines for Practice. Academic Press, Aubrey H. Fine. The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs. Ballantine Books, Patricia B. McConnell. The Psychology of the Human-Animal Bond: A Resource for Clinicians and Researchers. Springer, Christopher Blazina, Guler Boyra, David Shen-Miller (editors).

More resources: Articles Health Benefits of Animal-Assisted Interventions. Morrison, Michele L. Complementary Health Practice Review, 2007 Jan; 12(1): Psychosocial and Psychophysiological Effects of Human-Animal Interactions: The Possible Role of Oxytocin. Beetz, Andrea; Uvnas-Moberg, Kerstin & Kotrschal. Front Psychol. 2012; 3: 234. Who Let the Dog out? Implementing a Successful Therapy Dog Program in an Academic Law Library. Aiken, Julian & Cadmus, Femi. HeinOnline -21 Trends L. Libr. Mgmt. & Tech