For the Curious
Animal-assisted therapy is a field that is gaining increasing recognition. Professionals need to promote their work, its benefits, and expand their network. To achieve this, they must meet many people and network as much as possible. Here’s an overview of some frequently asked questions. What is Animal-Assisted Therapy? Many people mistakenly believe that we either […]
Mom, I’m Scared!
From simple discomfort to chronic fear, the fear of animals is a common phenomenon among humans. People who experience discomfort in the presence of animals live with daily stress, whether it’s walking down the street, going to the park, or visiting family or friends. These individuals sometimes feel restricted in their daily lives and may […]
The Animal Therapist’s Role within the Multidisciplinary Team
During your next visit to a health center, specialized residence, or school, pay attention to the variety of professionals surrounding a person in need. Depending on the location, you will find nurses, caregivers, recreation therapists, physiotherapists, doctors, occupational therapists, psychoeducators, special education teachers, and many others. Each professional has their own methodologies, procedures, ways of […]
The Animal Partner for Team-Building Workshops
What is team building and who is it for? Team building is an activity offered to businesses, groups of friends, families, or even classes of students experiencing relational difficulties that negatively impact the atmosphere, performance, organization, or well-being of each team member. The goal of such an activity is to allow participants to become aware […]
Animal-assisted Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s and other cognitive deficits affect many families and, unfortunately, will impact more and more in the coming decades. When family and friends learn of the diagnosis, they often feel helpless, and the stages to go through can be very difficult for both the affected individual and their family. Engaging an animal-assisted therapist can help […]
Animal-assisted Therapy in Correctional Settings
We often hear about animal-assisted therapy practitioners joining multidisciplinary teams in seniors’ residences, schools, non-profit organizations, and hospitals. But what about animal-assisted therapy in correctional settings? Are there programs in Quebec? What objectives can be pursued during these sessions? Where there are needs, animal-assisted therapy can be considered. Several projects have emerged in the United […]
The Dog Bank
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. […]
Hiring an Animal-Assisted Therapist
If you’re considering hiring an animal-assisted therapist for a specific project in your facility or for a family member, here are the aspects you should consider when working with an animal-assisted therapist. Your Expectations and Goals First, you need to determine if you’re looking for an animation activity (zoo-animation) or animal-assisted therapy sessions, also known […]
The Animal, a Social Facilitator
As a society, we interact with people daily. At first glance, it might seem easy to approach someone we don’t know. However, some fear ridicule, others freeze when they have to speak in front of a group, or they are simply shy, but in reality, we all face obstacles when meeting new people. Every human […]
Animal-assisted therapy or animal-assisted activities: what exactly happens when you call on an animal-assisted therapist?
Even before clarifying the specific practices of the animal-assisted therapist profession, it is important to specify the qualifications for such a professional. An animal-assisted therapist is a professional trained in the field of animal-assisted therapy, with access to a membership number from the Quebec Animal-Assisted Therapists Corporation. This corporation aims to regulate and supervise the […]
Motor Skill Development in Young Children
Animal-assisted therapy or animal-assisted activities often involve using animals as working partners for clients with specific health issues. But what about group animation workshops, also known as animal-assisted activities, for young children (0 to 5 years old) focusing on their motor development? The Concept It is proven that for a child’s psychomotor development to be […]
Animals in Service of Reading
The inclusion of animals in programs that promote various types of learning, such as reading, is not new. In 1999, in the United States, the R.E.A.D (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) project was launched. This program involves training facilitators whose tasks include selecting and training dogs, as well as their active participation in developing reading skills […]
The Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy for Children with Attention, Hyperactivity, and Impulsivity Difficulties
Difficulties in forming relationships, sustained attention problems, the impression that the child isn’t listening, as well as a lack of interest and little appreciation for calmer activities are some of the possible symptoms to observe or note in certain children. To facilitate the child’s progress, animal-assisted therapy can help these children, whether diagnosed with an […]
The Benefits of Animal Presence
What a Presence! Many Quebec households have a pet. In many cases, it is considered a full-fledged family member. Its presence brings joy to both adults and children. For all the well-being it brings me, can I conclude that the relationship between my pet and me is animal-assisted therapy? True or false? FALSE. There are […]