Charlie is a six-year-old Border Collie/Labrador Retriever. I adopted him when he was eight-weeks old from Dumb Friends League and registered him in training classes right away. Charlie has completed obedience Puppy Level 1&2, Canine Good Citizen (not tested), and Get Tricky courses. Charlie loves being around people and other dogs. He is loving, silly, and a quick learner. He enjoys learning new tricks and getting pets and treats from people. Everyone who has met Charlie says he has a calm presence and is a great asset to a therapy office to help others or simply be available for providing comfort!
Did You Know…There are many benefits associated with having an animal integrated in sessions. Some benefits that have been found include:
· Animals help improve client motivation and engagement in therapy, which can result in a shorter recovery process.
· Animals provide a sense of security and emotional support. Dogs in particular offer unconditional acceptance and positive regard.
· Animals can promote relaxation. Research has demonstrated that petting an animal can help lower blood pressure, heart rate, and increase oxytocin (a feel-good chemical in the brain).
· Animals can help clients learn frustration tolerance and other anger management techniques.
· Animals can help in the areas of focus and attention.
· Animals can be instruments of learning, which can increase self-confidence and self-esteem.
· Animals offer humor and fun due to their playful and fun nature.
· Animals in therapy ask for clients to develop empathy, nurturance, and responsibility, and model other skills like forgiveness and patience.
· Clients can learn about stereotypes affecting animals, and how they deal with stereotypes in their own life. Through this, they can learn advocacy skills.
· Using positive reinforcement-based dog training, clients can learn the importance of rewarding good behaviors in themselves, in their partners, and/or their children.