The Dog Bank - Synergie Plumes et Poils

What is it?
One of the primary roles of an animal-assisted therapist is to select an ideal working partner to help achieve the goals of the individual they are assisting. To do this, they must choose the best candidate from their own dogs or utilize a dog from an owner listed in the dog bank. A dog bank is simply a list of owners who allow the professional to borrow their animal for a few hours.

How it Works
Dog owners who believe they have a suitable candidate for this work are invited to contact an animal-assisted therapist to have their animal evaluated for the purpose of joining the team. The next step will involve a meeting where, through a series of questions about your animal’s health and an assessment of its behavior, it will be determined whether it can integrate into the team. As a guideline, only one in ten candidates passes the test.

Once the evaluation is successful, owners should be aware of certain aspects. Firstly, the animal’s participation is voluntary, and the animal-assisted therapist’s professional insurance covers the animal during sessions. A relationship of trust must be established between the animal-assisted therapist and the owner, as the owner cannot be present at the client meeting location.

It’s important to note that there is no perfect partner; therefore, it is essential to identify each candidate’s strengths and assign them to a target clientele based on their aptitudes.

Selection Criteria
The dog is evaluated based on its temperament. It must be patient, tolerant, respectful, and enjoy human presence. A series of tests aims to assess its tolerance to noise and handling, its respect for personal space, its stress management, its interest in play, its manner of taking food, its energy management, and its behavior in a car and in unfamiliar environments. It is also important to understand its interaction with children and humans in general.

Benefits
Firstly, owners of animals participating in the bank are often open, positive, and proud to see their animal bring comfort and assistance to people with specific needs. They appreciate their animal being stimulated during its workday and having the opportunity to expend its energy. Upon returning home, their animal is happy and calm.

Secondly, the ability to source suitable candidates from a bank provides the animal-assisted therapist with a wide range of options, without the limitations of housing multiple dogs at home or exhausting the only candidates at their disposal.