Dogs On Call, Inc.What We Do
Therapy dogs help people by providing affection, entertainment, and a special kind of acceptance that only an animal can give. A DOC team consists of a handler and a canine - usually the handler's personal pet - who are trained to work with people in a variety of situations as a certified Pet Partner® team.
DOC dogs are acclimated to conditions that may occur in a medical or a nursing home environment. They respond appropriately to unusual noises, smells, movement, and emotions. They are accustomed to working next to wheelchairs, walkers, IV hook-ups, oxygen machines and other equipment. DOC dogs must also undergo a screening by a veterinarian to insure that they are healthy; current on vaccinations; and free of parasites, disease, and infection. DOC volunteers (both human and canine) have been tested by a certified evaluator after they have completed a day-long course or a home study program.
DOC volunteers currently visit a number of nursing homes and assisted-living centers in the Dane County area, participate in the R.E.A.D. program, and also present programs to teachers for children with special needs. Teams have presented educational programs at special events. Some of the animal handlers have pursued further training and have learned to use their dogs for goal-oriented activities, such as physical and occupational therapy work in clinical settings.
In all settings, DOC teams utilize the animal as a motivating force to enhance treatment of the people they visit. The benefits of such human-animal interaction include improvements in: empathy, self-esteem, mood, outward focus, nurturing, rapport, acceptance, entertainment, socialization, mental stimulation, motivation, physical contact, physiological functioning, and spiritual fulfillment.
Animal-Assisted Activities vs. Animal-Assisted Therapy
Dogs On Call teams participate in animal-assisted activities (AAA) and animal-assisted therapy (AAT). These are the terms that health and human services providers use when referring to the involvement of animals in human treatment programs.
The following is a brief explanation of the differences between AAA and AAT:
Animal-assisted activities provide opportunities for motivational, educational, and/or recreational benefits to enhance quality of life. AAA are delivered in a variety of environments by a specifically trained professional, paraprofessional, and/or volunteer, in association with animals that meet specific criteria.
Key features of AAA:
- Specific treatment goals are NOT planned for each visit
- Volunteers and treatment providers are NOT required to take detailed notes or record results of a visit
- Visit content is spontaneous
Animal-assisted therapy is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal meeting specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. AAT is delivered and/or directed by a health/human service provider working within the scope of their profession, such as occupational or physical therapy. AAT is designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning. AAT is provided in a variety of settings and may be group or individual in nature. The process is documented and evaluated.
Key features of AAT:
- Specific goals and objectives are set for each individual
- Progress is measured
- AAT is overseen by a health/human service provider as part of their profession
