Therapy Dog Programs

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Therapy Dogs in Medical Facilities and Trauma Centers

Whether it's for Children, Veterans, Sexual Assault/Rape Survivors, or those who have experienced a Traumatic Event, Therapy Dog Teams strive to provide the best possible experience with the utmost sensitivity to patients dealing with trauma. We believe in the power of the Human Animal Bond to soothe during challenging times, and canine therapy can play a vital role in supporting the patient’s team of experts deliver comfort and relief, through Animal Assisted Interventions. 

Having Therapy Dogs in Medical Facilities helps normalize the setting for patients who are away from home during stressful and uncertain circumstances. These dogs play an important role in comprehensive treatment, enriching the patient experience with joy and companionship while enhancing healing through proven therapeutic benefits.

Animal Assisted Therapy Dog visits can:

- Reduce pain, fear, anxiety, and stress during a medical stay, a scary procedure, or after a traumatic event

- Motivate and inspire confidence, boosting the morale of the patient, family members, and care team, while encouraging communication and supporting coping and progress toward treatment goals

- Soothe feelings of loss, isolation, and loneliness with unconditional love and acceptance through physical contact and gentle touch

Therapy Dogs and Crisis Response in Schools

Therapy Dog Handler Teams consist of experienced professional volunteers who are passionate about their work and dedicated to providing a safe space during crises for students and staff to find relief. 

The goal is to offer immediate comfort, help build rapport with survivors, and provide emotional relief by leveraging the human-animal bond in stressful situations through Animal Assisted Interventions. These teams serve as a supportive presence and catalyst for healing and stress reduction in the aftermath of Human Caused, Environmental, Technological, or Simulated Crises, including: 

- Mass Gun Shootouts 

- Natural disasters like Earthquakes, Wildfires, and Flooding 

- Collective Grief over Suicide or the passing of a Student or Staff member 

- Simulated Drills 

- Students facing personal crises during pivotal moments in their academic life, such as Finals and College Admissions 

It's vital that in these distressing situations, students and staff are provided with calm stability and relief, allowing them to start processing trauma while promoting healthy coping mechanisms and expression.

Therapy Dogs for First Responders

First Responders, including Paramedics, Fire Fighters, and Emergency Medical Professionals, are essential in managing the initial impact of Crisis Response to Traumatic Events. 

Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) for first responders utilize trained animals, such as therapy dogs, to mitigate the high rates of stress, burnout, and PTSD experienced by these professionals. 

These interventions can:

-Lower stress hormones, reduce blood pressure, and elevate mood

-Create a sense of connection, countering the isolation and loneliness often felt by first responders after traumatic events

-Offer comfort during downtime or after critical incidents, serving as a morale boost and a positive distraction

-Provide essential emotional support and aid in trauma recovery following significant disaster events

Therapy Dog Teams deploy to Fire Departments and other First Responder locations, creating a dedicated space where we can offer a break from the trauma first responders endure throughout their careers, including Therapy Dogs in medical facilities for additional support.