My dog, Charlie, and I were registered through Therapy Dogs International as a Certified Therapy Dog/Handler Team. Charlie, my co-therapist, is a 14-year-old female Mini Australian Shepherd who has experience working with children and teens in a therapeutic day school setting, as well as in a private practice. Therapy dogs are known to benefit people in that they can decrease anxiety, improve mood, lower blood pressure, and improve socialization, per research. **Although Charlie is now retired, our newer Mini Aussie, Penny Lane, is in training to become a therapy dog. (Pandemic delays on that training…) However, you can see both of these little pups during telehealth sessions!
Charlie and I provided innovative treatment called Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), which is also known as Pet Therapy. Using the power of the human-animal bond combined with evidence-based treatment such as CBT and ERP, clients learn effective coping skills to navigate life’s challenges. During the clinical interview, I assess the goodness of fit for the use of AAT.
ABOUT CHARLIE: Charlie is a Mini Australian Shepherd who is very easy going and LOVES people. She gets along with babies, children, and all animals, including cats and birds! Charlie underwent lots of training (including basic and advanced training courses, Canine Good Citizen training, and passed the Therapy Dogs International test). She knows some fun tricks that she would love to show you!
CHARLIE’S RESUME: In addition to working in a therapeutic day school and private practice setting, Charlie has volunteered at College of Lake County (CLC) to help relieve students of stress during final exam week. She also visits her great-grandmothers in nursing communities and elderly residential facilities. We also co-presented at Adler University about Animal-Assisted Therapy. She even met a therapy horse there too!
