Animal Assisted Interventions For Individuals With Autism

This book looks at how therapies involving animals can be used to help individuals with autism to develop skills, including sensory and social skills, to manage challenging behaviors, and improve quality of life. Whether participating in therapeutic horseback riding, utilizing a trained service dog, visiting a dolphin therapy center, or simply experiencing companion animal therapy, people with autism can reap a multitude of benefits from interaction with furry, feathered, and finned friends. Merope Pavlides relates the success stories of different animal-assisted interventions, as well as noting the challenges of working with particular animal species. She also emphasizes the importance of tailoring interventions to the specific needs of the individual and of monitoring progress. With recommendations for resources and further reading, this book will be of great interest to people with autism, their parents, and the professionals who work with them.

The original edition was the first book to provide a comprehensive overview of the ways in which animals can assist therapists with treatment of specific populations, and/or in specific settings. The second edition continues in this vein, with 7 new chapters plus substantial revisions of continuing chapters as the research in this field has grown. New coverage includes: Animals as social supports, Use of AAT with Special Needs students, the role of animals in the family- insights for clinicians, and measuring the animal-person bond. *Contributions from veterinarians, animal trainers, psychologists, and social workers *Includes guidelines and best practices for using animals as therapeutic companions *Addresses specific types of patients and environmental situations

This book shares the journey of Renee Farneti Jensen, occupational therapist, who developed and implemented a Canine Animal Assisted Therapy program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The book is a valuable resource for therapists and parents who are considering this type of therapy for autistic children. The introduction shares a vingette written from the perspective of the therapy dog, Vicki, who shared this journey with Renee. The author provides comprehensive information from start to finish in selecting populations who would benefit from this type of therapy through the selection of a dog, trainer and even materials to use to train others. This book is being published posthumously for the author by her sister, Carol Farneti Foster, as a fulfillment of the author's dying wish.

This is a book for anyone who wants to learn more about what a social working dog is. Maybe you’re curious about what it might be like to work in a school or some form of health care together with your best friend? Maybe you’ve already done an assessment test and are looking for or have already started the course that best suits you? Or maybe you have a family member who you think would benefit from sessions with a dog team but want to know a little more before you propose it? The authors have based the contents of this book on the situation in Sweden and cover everything from why dogs function so well with people who are in need of support, to how to select a suitable dog for the job. They give you tips on how to start training basic skills, finding the course that suits you best, and what you should think about when you have a certified social working dog. You will also read about important things to keep in mind when introducing a certified dog into the workplace. Thirteen dog handlers tell their stories about a day at work with their best friend and colleague. The book also contains quotes from employers who have invited a dog team into their workplace. Animal Assisted Interventions – Professionals Embrace the Power of the Dog is simply a book that educates as well as moves you. Together, Sara Karlberg and Helena Eriksson have a great deal of experience in both training and working with social working dogs. They are both dog handlers, and Sara runs Svenska Terapihundskolan where Helena has been working as a teacher since the very beginning. Sara’s background is in communication and public health sciences. Helena is a social worker and the manager of a recreational therapy facility. In this book, they share their collective knowledge of and love for the dog, both as best friend and colleague.

Animal-Assisted Interventions for Emotional and Mental Health provides a unique opportunity to learn from a variety of leaders in the field. Leading scholar Dr. Cynthia Chandler and colleague Dr. Tiffany Otting present interviews with pioneering experts from the U.S., U.K., Israel, India, and Hong Kong, revealing key beliefs, values, and ideas that are fundamental to animal-assisted interventions. Their words will inspire and guide current and future generations of practitioners, teachers, and researchers.

How Animals Help Students Learn summarizes what we know about the impact of animals in education and synthesizes the thinking of prominent leaders in research and practice. It’s a much-needed resource for mental-health and education professionals interested in incorporating animals in school-based environments, one that evaluates the efficacy of existing programs and helps move the field toward evidence-based practice. Experts from around the world provide concrete examples of how animals have been successfully incorporated into classroom settings to achieve the highest level of benefit while also ensuring the health and welfare of the students and animals involved.

In the 10 years since the first edition of Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy published, the field has changed considerably. The third edition of the Handbook highlights advances in the field, with 10 new chapters and over 50% new material. In reading this book, therapists will discover the benefits of incorporating animal assisted therapy into their practice, how to design and implement animal assisted interventions, and the efficacy of animal assisted therapy with different disorders and patient populations. Coverage includes the use of AAT with children, families, and the elderly, in counseling and psychotherapy settings, and for treating a variety of specific disorders. * Includes coverage of the use of cats, dogs, birds, and horses * Discusses the "why" to use animals in therapy as well as the "how" * Covers the use of animal-assisted therapy with different special populations and to treat different disorders

This comprehensive overview of the many types of animal-assisted therapy provides the perfect reference for students, general readers, pet owners, animal care specialists, psychologists, occupational and physical therapists, and mental health professionals. The use of animals for therapy is a burgeoning form of treatment for individuals with physical, emotional, or psychological illnesses. Written for students and general readers, Animal-Assisted Therapy offers a historical overview of the practice, detailing its growth and the many ways it is practiced today. Filled with illustrative examples, such as successful programs where children with reading problems read aloud to canine companions, the book illuminates the expansive nature and effectiveness of this therapy as it is practiced both generally and among special populations, including children, the elderly, autistic individuals, and the incarcerated. The book also provides specific information that will be of interest to pet owners who want to get involved in these programs and includes information on U.S. government requirements allowing guide dogs in public and private facilities.