Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is one of many activities you and your dog can do after completing your Delta evaluation. It is not for everyone; some dogs or people do not have the interest or temperment to do ATT. We were curious about what AAT involved and how dogs are trained to do ATT. We invited Bonnie and Jack McPortland to help educate us.
On August 16, 2008 Bonnie and Jack McPortland, conducted an AAT workshop for Heeling Partner members and our dogs. Bonnie’s and Jack brought their two Labrador Retrievers, Nimoy (left) and Sully (right), who were raised to be guide dogs but were career changed and are now seasoned therapy dogs. Bonnie began her AAT work in assisted living facilities and worked next with special needs children. She and Jack now work in the Craig Rehabilitation Hospital where they take Nimoy and Sully each week. They also continue their work as Leaders for Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Note: Abbreviations below include AAT (Animal Assisted Therapy), PP (Pet Partner – the handler/dog team), OT (Occupational Therapy), ST (Speech Therapy), PT (Physical Therapy) and HP (Heeling Partners).
Bonnie explained that AAT consists of activities performed within a theraputic plan which has been prescribed by a health professional, such as a physical, occupational or speech therapist. The activities are always done under the direction of a medical professional, who supervises and directs the therapy session. Although the health professional is in charge, that person works with the PP team to find interesting and safe ways to motivate and meet the patient’s needs.
A patient’s OT may include the need to regain balance and improve walking skills. Sometimes the patient uses a walker or has an IV stand. Walking with a PP team is often motivating and fun for the patient, breaking the monontany of routine OT.
When walking with a patient, the dog is double leashed, with the patient loosely holding one leash and the handler holding the other leash. It is important that the leash be loosely held by the patient’s fingers (vs looped over the wrist) for safety reasons. HP member Joanne practices with Nimoy, while Jack acts as the patient.
Although some of our pictures show only the “patient” and the PP team, in reality the medical person directing the therapy is ALWAYS present, sometimes holding the patient with a Gates Belt (as Bonnie demonstrates). For variety or ST, the patient can give commands “walk”, “stop” or “sit” to the dog. This gives the Patient a chance to exercise some control, as well as practice walking.
Patients can also practice bending over to pet the dog, using different muscles and practicing balance, as Jack demonstrates with Sully.
After making sure the patient’s wheelchair is in the locked position, the dog is positioned in a chair next to the patient. Even a large dog like Sully can become comfortable in a chair.
At this point, the patient is free to pet the dog and begin other activites from the wheelchair. Joanne take Nimoy's paw, while Bonnie controls the situation.
For example, petting the dog all the way from his head to his tail is a way to strengthen arm muscles.
Bonnie designed a jacket for her dogs which has velcro strips attached (the loop side of the velcro). Her early design was on a soft material.
Later, she developed a stiffer jacket with longer velcro strips. If you don’t want to make a velcro jacket, you can also use any vest and clip felt on it.
There are many materials which can be used with the velcro jacket. Examples include alphabet letters in brightly colored, large sizes (smaller sizes for use with small dogs) which have the other side of the velcro (“felt” side) glued to the back. The therapist asks the patient to spell words, rearrange the letters to form new ones, point to shapes, etc. Using the fine motor skills is a form of PT, improves cognitive function and speaking the words involves ST.
Part of the fun of AAT is thinking of ways to work with your dog to meet the goals of the therapist’s plan and motivate the patient to accomplish the behaviors which the therapist prescribes. In this photo, Jack asks HP member Audrey, as the patient, to point to shapes on Sully's velcro jacket.
Sometimes a velcro jacket isn’t even needed, as with HP dog, Molly. The letters stick directly to her coat!
Games are a great way to vary use of the velcro jacket. Audrey plays Tic Tac Toe with Jack and Sully, having both therapy and fun. "Bone" and "Paw" pieces add interest.
The same “board” can be used to play a form of “Concentration” where squares are turned over and identical pictures matched. Any game which uses a board can be used.
Any jacket with pouches or zippers, such as the Delta Society jacket, can be useful therapy tools. The patient can reach into and remove objects from the jacket pocket. They can unfold, refold and put items back. There is also a zipper to manipulate.
Carabiners come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors (use the non-climber’s kind).
The patient can clip the caribiners to parts of the dog’s jacket. Clipping/unclipping a leash also works.
Activities can be adapted to any size dog. Small dogs can rest in the patient’s lap (on a towel), the PP person’s lap, or stay on the floor if the patient’s range of motion is being worked on. HP member Judy can see that Molly would love to be in Audrey's lap.
Patients can give commands to the dog. Audrey has just given the “down” command to Sully. Set the patient and dog up for success. If the patient can’t enunciate you can help the dogs with hand signals, especially from behind the patient, as Jack is doing in the background.
Patients can use gloves to pet the dog, as Jacquie is demonstrating with Molly. Other grooming options include a brush with open handle, mitts (widen the opening), or a Zoom Groom. Judy controls the situation, making sure the patient is gentle with Molly.
Bonnie has adapted a wide variety of every-day craft and dog items to help the therapist and paitent reach their goals. All these materials were designed by Bonnie. She had used and refined them over her years of therapy work.
Additional activities which can be used are to:
* Brush the dog’s teeth
* Touch the dog’s paw, tail, collar, toenails, etc.
* Change the dog’s collar
* Clean the dog
* Throw something for retrieval (dog must remain leashed – let out leash or use a long line)
* Hand something to the dog
* “Undress” the dog (carry a slip leash as a spare for this activity)
A patient may want to give the dog a treat. When doing so, it is very important to make sure the dog takes the treat from an open palm so no fingers are accidentally placed in the dog’s mouth. Joanne keeps a flat, open palm as Sully takes a treat.
Helping the patient keep an open palm may be needed. Always remember to ask the patient’s permission before touching them. If there may be any problem with giving a treat, place the treat in a small bowl; the patient can hold the bowl towards the dog.
Bonnie and Jack stressed many important points, including:
* Speak directly to the patient, incorporating them in any conversation, even one with the therapist. Speaking directly to the patient maintains their respect.
* Never touch the patient without asking their permission first.
* Always advocate for and protect your dog. For example, shield your dog’s eyes & nose when the uncoordinated are going to touch your dog, especially around the face. Watch your dog for signs of stress.
* Use lots of praise, both for your dog and the patient. Use a non-condescending tone with patients.
* Maintain confidentiality.
* After AAT, provide play for your dog to help them relieve stress and unwind.
* Provide wipes for the patient to wash their hands after touching the dog.
Laura took great notes on the laptop, proving much of the text for this website page. What could she be reading that is so funny . . .?
Ann (left), Jacquie and Maxx. Maxx had a lot to say during the workshop; he did NOT like his mom (Joanne) consorting with other dogs during the workshop. He is uncharacteristically quiet in this picture.
Fina (Trish's dog) uses Audrey's foot as a pillow. Fina made the rounds of Heeling Partners members during the workshop, as Trish was busy taking pictures.
Joanne looks approvingly at Maxx, now well-behaved and looking adorable for the camera.
Our group is never one to pass up an opportunity to have lunch together . . . the food was great (thanks to Joanne, Jacquie, Debbie, and Trish).
Joanne and Ann relax at lunchtime on the porch swing.
The workshop was terrific, we learned a lot and had fun . . . what a great day. !
On August 16, 2008 Bonnie and Jack McPortland, conducted an AAT workshop for Heeling Partner members and our dogs. Bonnie’s and Jack brought their two Labrador Retrievers, Nimoy (left) and Sully (right), who were raised to be guide dogs but were career changed and are now seasoned therapy dogs. Bonnie began her AAT work in assisted living facilities and worked next with special needs children. She and Jack now work in the Craig Rehabilitation Hospital where they take Nimoy and Sully each week. They also continue their work as Leaders for Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Bonnie explained that AAT consists of activities performed within a theraputic plan which has been prescribed by a health professional, such as a physical, occupational or speech therapist. The activities are always done under the direction of a medical professional, who supervises and directs the therapy session. Although the health professional is in charge, that person works with the PP team to find interesting and safe ways to motivate and meet the patient’s needs.
A patient’s OT may include the need to regain balance and improve walking skills. Sometimes the patient uses a walker or has an IV stand. Walking with a PP team is often motivating and fun for the patient, breaking the monontany of routine OT.
Although some of our pictures show only the “patient” and the PP team, in reality the medical person directing the therapy is ALWAYS present, sometimes holding the patient with a Gates Belt (as Bonnie demonstrates). For variety or ST, the patient can give commands “walk”, “stop” or “sit” to the dog. This gives the Patient a chance to exercise some control, as well as practice walking.
Patients can also practice bending over to pet the dog, using different muscles and practicing balance, as Jack demonstrates with Sully.
After making sure the patient’s wheelchair is in the locked position, the dog is positioned in a chair next to the patient. Even a large dog like Sully can become comfortable in a chair.
At this point, the patient is free to pet the dog and begin other activites from the wheelchair. Joanne take Nimoy's paw, while Bonnie controls the situation.
For example, petting the dog all the way from his head to his tail is a way to strengthen arm muscles. 
Bonnie designed a jacket for her dogs which has velcro strips attached (the loop side of the velcro). Her early design was on a soft material.
Later, she developed a stiffer jacket with longer velcro strips. If you don’t want to make a velcro jacket, you can also use any vest and clip felt on it.
There are many materials which can be used with the velcro jacket. Examples include alphabet letters in brightly colored, large sizes (smaller sizes for use with small dogs) which have the other side of the velcro (“felt” side) glued to the back. The therapist asks the patient to spell words, rearrange the letters to form new ones, point to shapes, etc. Using the fine motor skills is a form of PT, improves cognitive function and speaking the words involves ST.
Part of the fun of AAT is thinking of ways to work with your dog to meet the goals of the therapist’s plan and motivate the patient to accomplish the behaviors which the therapist prescribes. In this photo, Jack asks HP member Audrey, as the patient, to point to shapes on Sully's velcro jacket.
Sometimes a velcro jacket isn’t even needed, as with HP dog, Molly. The letters stick directly to her coat!
Games are a great way to vary use of the velcro jacket. Audrey plays Tic Tac Toe with Jack and Sully, having both therapy and fun. "Bone" and "Paw" pieces add interest.
The same “board” can be used to play a form of “Concentration” where squares are turned over and identical pictures matched. Any game which uses a board can be used.
Any jacket with pouches or zippers, such as the Delta Society jacket, can be useful therapy tools. The patient can reach into and remove objects from the jacket pocket. They can unfold, refold and put items back. There is also a zipper to manipulate.
Carabiners come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors (use the non-climber’s kind). 
The patient can clip the caribiners to parts of the dog’s jacket. Clipping/unclipping a leash also works.
Activities can be adapted to any size dog. Small dogs can rest in the patient’s lap (on a towel), the PP person’s lap, or stay on the floor if the patient’s range of motion is being worked on. HP member Judy can see that Molly would love to be in Audrey's lap.
Patients can give commands to the dog. Audrey has just given the “down” command to Sully. Set the patient and dog up for success. If the patient can’t enunciate you can help the dogs with hand signals, especially from behind the patient, as Jack is doing in the background.
Patients can use gloves to pet the dog, as Jacquie is demonstrating with Molly. Other grooming options include a brush with open handle, mitts (widen the opening), or a Zoom Groom. Judy controls the situation, making sure the patient is gentle with Molly.
Bonnie has adapted a wide variety of every-day craft and dog items to help the therapist and paitent reach their goals. All these materials were designed by Bonnie. She had used and refined them over her years of therapy work.
A patient may want to give the dog a treat. When doing so, it is very important to make sure the dog takes the treat from an open palm so no fingers are accidentally placed in the dog’s mouth. Joanne keeps a flat, open palm as Sully takes a treat.
Helping the patient keep an open palm may be needed. Always remember to ask the patient’s permission before touching them. If there may be any problem with giving a treat, place the treat in a small bowl; the patient can hold the bowl towards the dog.
Laura took great notes on the laptop, proving much of the text for this website page. What could she be reading that is so funny . . .?
Ann (left), Jacquie and Maxx. Maxx had a lot to say during the workshop; he did NOT like his mom (Joanne) consorting with other dogs during the workshop. He is uncharacteristically quiet in this picture. 
Fina (Trish's dog) uses Audrey's foot as a pillow. Fina made the rounds of Heeling Partners members during the workshop, as Trish was busy taking pictures.
Joanne looks approvingly at Maxx, now well-behaved and looking adorable for the camera.
Our group is never one to pass up an opportunity to have lunch together . . . the food was great (thanks to Joanne, Jacquie, Debbie, and Trish).
Joanne and Ann relax at lunchtime on the porch swing.
The workshop was terrific, we learned a lot and had fun . . . what a great day. !
