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Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud is known as the father of psychoanalysis (McLeod, 2013). During his sessions with clients, Freud would allow his dog with him. He noticed that when his dog was there, his clients were more open (Latham, 2011; & Coren, 2013).
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Boris Levinson
Boris Levinson is looked at as the founder of pet therapy. He gave the first presentation on animal assisted therapy in the 1960's, but was met with ridicule and snide remarks. Levinson found that when he brought his dog with him to work, the children he worked with seemed to be more at ease (Coren, 2017).
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Delta Society is Founded
The Delta Society is now known as Pet Partners. This organization registers eight species of animals for pet therapy. In order to register an animal as a therapy pet, the handler must pass the Handler Course. Additionally, the pet must pass a team evaluation and pay the registration fee (Pet Partners, n.d.).
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Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship
Alan M. Beck and Aaron H. Katcher write the book Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship analyzing the relationship between pet owners and their pets as well as the benefits of owning a pet. The book also explores the medical benefits of having a pet (Purdue University Press, 2015). Link text -
R.E.A.D. Program
The R.E.A.D. program was created to helps students with reading and communication skills. Only certified therapy dogs are used and sent to schools for children to read to. The program has grown world-wide (Therapyanimals.org, n.d.).
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Canine Visitors: The Influence of Therapy Dogs on Young Children's Learning and Well-Being in Classrooms and Hospitals
The study conducted by Jalongo, Astorino, and Bomboy (2004) found that therapy animals can have a positive influence on children's mental health. The study indicates that therapy animals that visit classrooms and hospitals can help promote "...children's physical health, psychological well-being, social interaction, and academic achievement..." (Jalongo, Astorino, & Bomboy, 2004, p. 16). -
Mutt-i-grees is founded
Mutt-i-grees are shelter dogs of mixed breeds. The program was created to bring awareness of these shelter dogs. Yale School of the 21st Century partnered with Mutt-i-grees to design a curriculum that could be used with children and Mutt-i-gree dogs in schools to teach Social and Emotional Learning (The Pet Savers Foundation, 2017).
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Carmen Farina, New York City Chancellor
Carmen Farina took the advice of some 5th grade students about bringing dogs into the schools. The students suggested having dogs in schools during a leadership meeting. One student felt that having dogs in the schools would help students who were having a bad day. Farina listened to the ideas and the Comfort Dog Program was implemented (Guyon, 2017). Link text -
Comfort Dog Program
New York City's schools teamed up with the North Shore Animal League America make student wishes come true and bring dogs into schools. Dogs are tested by a pet behaviorist to determine if the dogs will be a good fit for students. The dogs help to deescalate students, help autistic students, help with social and emotional skills, and provide comfort to students and staff (Algar, 2017 & Harris, 2017).
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Bella, First School Therapy Dog in Arkansas
Bella becomes Arkansas first school therapy dog. The principal says that Bella provides emotional support to students. Another school in Arkansas just adopted a dog to follow suit.
To watch the news report click the Link text button.
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