To read more about "Pugsley" our Companion Dog in training, click here!

WHAT IS A FACILITY THERAPY DOG?      
A Facility Therapy Dog is a highly trained and skilled therapy dog used to enhance the quality of life and education for children or adults with disabilities or special needs and Seniors.  Facility dogs are handled by professionals and can be used to assist a select group of clients better manage their daily tasks.  Facility Therapy Dogs typically work hand-in-hand with Therapists, Counselors, Guidance Counselors, Psychologists and Rehabilitation Therapists.

FACILITY DOG - KEY BENEFITS
Encourage Physical Movement, Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication & Improved Social Behavior

• Motivation:
• The client responds more positively, enthusiastically, and comfortably when a dog is involved.  Together, the client and the Facility Dog work together to engage in physical activities which help achieve goals set by the therapist.  Since dogs offer unconditional, non-judgmental love, therapy sessions can be pleasurable as well as productive.
• Recovery Motivation: 
• The client's ability to move is improved and response to physical stimuli is increased.  This encourages the client to engage in physical activities, often overlooking pain. 
• Social Interaction & Language:
• Therapy dogs open dialogue and facilitate conversations that encourage social and emotional development.  Therapy dogs help promote social and emotional development.
• Comfort, Compassion and Care:
• Facility dogs can provide support and friendship to anyone who may have the unique challenge of making new friends, or lack self-esteem.  Dogs can also be used as a motivator or reward system to teach responsibility.
• Feelings of Safety & Well-Being:
• Therapy dogs are a calm companion who helps relieve stress, anxiety and loneliness.  Dogs bring a pleasant distraction and reduce negative feelings, thoughts and concerns.

Your Facility Therapy Dog's Skills & Abilities can be customized to meet your specific client needs, or the needs of your facility.
 
There is currently a 6-12 month waiting list to receive your TDU Facility Therapy Dog.  Email your request for a Needs Assessment Application today!

WHAT IS A SKILLED SUPPORT DOG?
A Skilled Support Dog is a highly trained and highly skilled dog used to help a client better manage his or her daily lives and common tasks.  TDU's Skilled Support Dogs encourage Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) methods - treatment that uses trained therapy dogs to assist physical and occupational therapists meet specific goals or "measured results" important to a patient's recovery.  Skilled Support Dogs help return quality of life.  Typically, individuals who reside in their own private residence or at a group home request the services of a Skilled Support Dog.  Senior living communities and facilities that provide educational or rehabilitation services are also common placement locations.   Skilled Support Dogs have many proven benefits working with children and adults with emotional, behavioral and cognitive challenges, Autism, Down syndrome, or affected by developmental  or physical delays.

SKILLED SUPPORT DOG - KEY BENEFITS
Regain Health, Independence and Mobility

• Functional Goals:
• Dogs help with physical rehabilitation to improve mobility, range of motion, balance, coordination and muscle strength, as well as visual or cognitive skills.  Skilled Support Dogs help return the client's quality of life.  Some methods used to meet Functional Goals include: 
  • Play Fetch:  Improves extremity coordination, coordination, timing and sequence
  • Walk the Dog:  Improves visual coordination and awareness
  • Brush the Dog:  Promotes range of motion, coordination and strength.
• Motivation:
• Skilled Support Dogs encourage the client to engage in physical activities, often overlooking pain.  Dogs also help increase the desire to cooperate, and reduce distractions while increasing attention spans.
• Reduce Fear of Rejection:
• Dogs help increase social behaviors, decrease stereotypical behaviors and decrease self-absorption.
• Physical Assistance:
• Dogs are capable of directed or automatic retrieves; able to push, pull and carry objects; able to act as a brace for sitting, standing, or walking.  TDU's Skilled Support Dogs learn 40 different commands/abilities to better assist your daily activities.   Some common tasks include: 
  • Retrieval:  items placed at different heights
  • Attraction: encourage walking, communication or social interaction
  • Language development: to benefit Autistic children
  • Balance: walking or climbing stairs

• Catalyst for Positive Change:
• Returns a sense of need, provides the ability to love, care and nurture (especially in seniors).  Brings companionship and initiates communication.
• Physical & Emotional Benefits: 
• Alleviates loneliness and depression, calms anxiety, and helps to reduce stress and blood pressure.  Provides a positive diversion from prolonged periods of repetitive behavior and activities.
• Promotes Healing & Overall Well-being: 
• Helps a body and mind heal more quickly.  Companion dogs also help create emotional bonds which can translate to a bond with other people.

There is currently a 6-12 month waiting list to receive your TDU Companion Dog.  Email your request for a Needs Application today!


ACE PROGRAM
Animal Care for Exceptional Children & Adults


ACE is a traveling school-based animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and rehabilitation program designed to help children and young adults dealing with Emotional, Behavioral or Cognitive Challenges, Physical or Developmental Delays,  Speech or Hearing difficulties, Autism, and individuals with Down Syndrome.  Our ACE Program works through a therapy dog team and a trained therapist or counselor to bring about positive emotional outcomes and healing.  This program has targeted outcomes measured in weekly increments.  

Emotional, Behavioral or Cognitive Challenges

• Builds a bond when used as transitional objects
• Gains and uses non-aggressive voice tones
• Use of appropriate eye contact
• Initiates play and sharing techniques
• Decrease self-absorption

Autistic Children & Young Adults

• Induces speech
• Promotes self-initiated interaction
• Increases social behaviors; decreases stereotypical behaviors
• Decreases self-absorption
• Creates focus in socially or emotionally withdrawn children
• Initiates play

Physical or Developmental Delays

• Motivates physical movement and rehabilitation
• Encourages non-verbal communication
• Improves attention spans
• Compliance

Down Syndrome

• Proper techniques for sharing and playing
• Use of appropriate eye contact
• Self-initiated interactions 

To find out more about our ACE Program, call (814) 456-DOGS (3647) or Email pat@therapydogsunited.org

To read more about "Pugsley" our Facility Dog in training, click here!

Therapy Dogs United 2008 All rights reserved.
1934 B West 8th Street Erie PA 16505
(814) 456-DOGS

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