Canine-Assisted Interventions: A Comprehensive Guide to Credentialing Therapy Dog Teams

Description

Covering principles of therapy dog team training, assessment, skills, and ongoing monitoring, Canine-Assisted Interventionsprovides guidance on the most evidence-based methods for therapy dog team welfare, training, and assessment. The authors offer a linear approach to understanding all aspects of the screening, assessment, and selection of dog-handler teams by exploring the journey of dog therapy teams from assessment of canines and handlers to the importance of ongoing monitoring, recredentialing, and retirement. In addition to reviewing key findings within the field of human-animal interactions, each chapter emphasizes skills on both the human and dog ends of the leash and makes recommendations for research-informed best practices. To support readers, the book culminates with checklists and training resources to serve as a quick reference for readers. This book will be of great interest for practitioners, in-service professionals, and researchers in the fields of canine-assisted interventions and counseling. and researchers in the fields of canine-assisted interventions and counseling. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Dedication Contents List of Figures List of Tables List of Boxes Meet the Authors 1 Introduction The Surge in Popularity of CAIs Challenges in the Field of CAIs CAI Terminology Clarifying the CAI Team Credentialing Process Overview of Chapters Conclusion 2 What Are Canine-Assisted Interventions? Scenario Foundations of HAIs Human-Animal Bond Theoretical Explanations for HAIs Benefits of CAIs Contraindications of AAIs Types of HAIs With Canines Conclusion 3 What Makes a Strong and Effective Canine-Assisted Intervention Team? Scenario CAI Organizations The Importance of Published Criteria Understanding Trends in Volunteering CAI Team Screening Form The CAI Team Conclusion 4 Safeguarding the Welfare of Clients and Therapy Dogs Scenario The Burgeoning Field of CAIs Factors Impacting Canine Welfare The Importance of Canine Stress Awareness Strategies to Mitigate Canine Stress During Sessions Safeguarding Client or Visitor Well-Being During Sessions The Importance of Handler Training Conclusion 5 Best Practices in Canine-Assisted Intervention Team Training Scenario How Much Training Is Needed? Components of Effective Team Training Knowledge: Training the Handler Skills: Preparing for CAI Training Practice: Developing CAI Team Skills Conclusion 6 Canine-Assisted Counseling: Preparing Teams for Clinical Work Scenario What Is Canine-Assisted Counseling? A Review of CAC Literature Practitioners Perspectives of AAC Why Teams Need to Develop Competence in CAC CAC Training CAC Skills Checklist Conclusion 7 Canine-Assisted Intervention Team Assessment Scenario Why Assessment Is Important Purpose and Challenges of the CAI Team Assessment An Overview of CAI Organization Assessments Setting Up the Assessment Environment What to Bring Appearance and Grooming CAI Team Assessment Skills Reviewing Assessment Outcomes and Next Steps Conclusion 8 Assessment Considerations for Specialized Contexts Scenario What Is a Specialized Context? The Importance of CAI Team Training for Specialized Settings Illustrations of Specialized Contexts Conclusion 9 Credentialing, Recredentialing, and Retirement Scenario Internship Credentialing the CAI Team Recredentialing Retirement Conclusion 10 Future Directions in Canine-Assisted Interventions Scenario Best Practices for CAI Teams Future Directions for CAI Organizations Future Directions in CAI Research Conclusion Appendix A: Canine-Assisted Intervention Team Screening Form Appendix B: Canine Health Screening Form Appendix C: Canine-Assisted Counseling Skills Checklist Appendix D: Canine-Assisted Intervention Team Assessment Index