Can a calm animal become an emotional vessel?
Is a calm dog really easier to manage than an engaged dog? “I’m looking for a very calm dog. It will be much easier during interventions.” This is a widespread idea. And yet, it deserves some nuance. Because a calm dog is often easier to manage… But is it always the best partner for achieving […]
Touch: protecting the animal also means protecting the quality of the intervention
What if the best professional gesture sometimes is not allowing contact? When an animal is present, many people’s first instinct is to want to touch it. This reaction is natural. It is often associated with comfort, affection, or the pleasure of meeting an animal. But in animal-assisted intervention, one essential question should always come before […]
When our role as a helping professional makes us overlook the methodology of human-animal interactions
What if our greatest strength as a practitioner sometimes became our biggest blind spot? Helping professionals develop remarkable expertise. They learn to observe behaviors, understand emotions, analyze needs, build intervention plans, and guide individuals toward their goals. This expertise is essential. But when an animal is integrated into the intervention, a new reality emerges. It’s […]
When a beneficiary suddenly throws an object…
The activity is taking place calmly. The dog is focused on its interaction with the beneficiary. Then, without warning, an object flies across the room. For the practitioner, this reaction may be related to frustration, disorganization, impulsivity, or difficulty expressing an emotion. They know their clientele and quickly adapt their intervention. But what does the […]
How can interactions with an animal and a professional support learning to read?
Why do some children rediscover a love for reading when an animal partner is part of the experience? Learning to read is a challenge for many children. Some lack confidence, fear making mistakes, read very little at home, or avoid situations where they have to read in front of others. Intervention goals can vary: developing […]
Should an animal approach a beneficiary whenever it feels like it?
“We always let the dog choose the person who needs it most.” This idea is often presented as a great quality in animal-assisted intervention. It’s touching. It gives the impression that the dog instinctively knows what to do. But an essential question deserves to be asked: Is it really the animal’s role to decide who […]