Connecting Canines Animal Assisted Therapy Program
Animal Assisted Therapy (also known as AAT, dog
therapy, or pet therapy) is the use of trained canines to provide a
therapeutic benefit (psychological, physical, or educational) to
multiple humans in one-on-one or group settings. AAT is sometimes
provided under the guidance of a therapist, medical practitioner, or
educator, but it is also often provided more casually as with the
growing use of dogs to provide stress relief on college campuses. The
therapeutic value of dogs in any number of settings is increasingly well
documented, though most of us know how healing a little dog time can be
without ever reading an academic journal.
Project Canine recognizes the increasing need and demand for highly
qualified AAT teams. Our Connecting Canines AAT program was started with
the goal of setting the gold standard in AAT team education, training,
certification, and outreach.
Connecting Canines was developed by
experienced dog trainers and behaviorists with over 30 years of
practical experience providing AAT in our community.
We have brought necessary innovation to therapy animal training, testing, and
certification procedures while providing our teams with the highest
level of ongoing support and education.
Our exam was designed by dog trainers and
behaviorists to assess as accurately as possible each team's unique
capabilities in a real world visiting situation.
All qualified teams are required to complete two supervised "shadow" visits in order to qualify for full certification.
All certified teams carry $1M in liability insurance.
All teams must recertify every two years.
Puppy certifications are available to suitable puppies 8 weeks to 1 year old.
Off-leash endorsements are available on an as needed basis to experienced teams who pass the Off-Leash Exam.
Connecting Canines teams visit in Puget
Sound area schools, hospitals, nursing and assisted living facilities,
residential treatment and correctional facilities for adults and
children.
Several Connecting Canines teams are
nationally certified crisis response teams working with first responders
in Washington state.
Campus Canines (Project Canine’s fastest
growing program) provides stress relief to University of Washington
students in five residence halls, and began working with students at
South Seattle Community College in December 2011.
