Therapy dogs
canine-assisted services
Our courses are based on up-to-date research in ethology, anthrozoology (human-animal interactions), pedagogy, and public health. The courses are adapted individually to each student's ambitions and abilities.
Emphasis on animal welfare
All training of dogs is based on positive training methods, and personality assessments of all dogs to determine if they are suitable for work in AAS (animal assisted services).
Dogs have the ability to instantly get close to a person and feel familiar. They can be an icebreaker, helping us to faster create a connection with a person. Dogs have a calming effect on people and can lighten a persons mood and their effect on us can be significant. They can help a person to open up, lessen anxiety, be a motivator, be a higlight and something to look forward to in a persons week/day.
Therapy dog teams work in various fields
Education
- assisting students of all ages with challenges in areas such as reading, concentration, communication, self-control, social interactions, and more.
Therapy
- assist healthcare professionals with patients in physical therapy. Therapy dogs help enhance overall well-being, reduce stress, and improve the effectiveness of rehabilitation exercises.
General activities
- some therapy dog teams work more freely with different institutions, businesses and privately contracted for individual clients.
What does science say about the effects of animal assited interventions?
Research shows that interactions with animals:
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Can strengthen self esteem and belief in one's abilities
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Can be a catalyst to promote human social contact
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Can be effective as emotional support
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Increases compassion and empathy in people
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Reduces blood pressure
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Lowers a persons heart rate
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Activates hormones that are positive for calm and wellbeing
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Contributes to increased motivation
Dogs have a unique ability
to give us a sense a calm
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to make us smile, to make us be present here and now, and give us closeness and warmth. A dog is let into our comfort zone already by the first time we meet. Closeness to humans can be complicated and take time, but with a dog, it comes naturally and the positive effects can last long. Humans who are lonely, isolated, chronically ill, children with learning difficulties, and many more can be in need of animal-assisted interventions.
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Both dog and owner are enriched
by the work they do together in animal-assisted interventions.
The family dog that spreads love and joy in your house can do the same for someone who needs a break, needs a smile, needs help to relax, or just needs the extra help a dog can give in situations that are difficult.
Your dog loves activities with you and working in AAI is very stimulating for the dog, providing lots of mental stimulation and a positive change and enrichment in everyday life.
Community and personal advancements
ICofA is a big network of people certified in AAS and meets regularly online and in training camps during the summer. Everyone shares experiences, inspires each other in further developments, and supports each other.
Animal assisted services are growing and developing rapidly and we recommend staying up to date and educating yourself to grow your craft further.
Dogs are diverse
Dogs have been selectively bred throughout history to cooperate and live closely with humans. They are eager to please and socialize, and there are significant variations in qualities and traits among breeds and individuals.
This allows dogs to fit a wide range of user groups and activities. We graduate dogs from all breeds to work in animal-assisted interventions.
The individual's characteristics determine suitability, not the breed.
The dog is evaluated by an ethologist, to see if it is suitable for use as a visiting dog, school dog or therapy dog
Teach your dog the new and exiting training method developed as a result of a research project in dogs social learning skills. The dog learns tricks and behaviors by mimicking your actions.
Have you ever wanted to try Do As I Do: Using social learning to train dogs? Fumi Higaki, the co-founder of the method will answer all your questions and show several videos with explanation
Introductory course, that gives you 3 unique lectures and the possibility to listen to the method authors.
What is Do as I Do? In this Q&A you will get all your questions answered by the co-author of the method!
Introductory course, that gives you 3 unique lectures and the possibility to listen to the method authors.
Step by step Mini-courses
These courses teach you essential behaviors that you need for your work in AAI. Easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions set up for both beginner and more advanced dog owners.
The behaviors are also very useful for everyday life and the many situations we regularly encounter with our dogs
