Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a type of therapy that involves an animal with specific characteristics becoming a fundamental part of a person's treatment. Animal-assisted therapy is designed to improve the physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning of the patient, as well as provide educational and motivational effectiveness for participants.[1]
Service animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.
[1] American Humane Association (2010) Animal-assisted therapy American Humane Association
Meet some local therapy and assistance animals
Research has shown that owning a pet has many health benefits, including lowered blood pressure and anxiety relief. So, it is no surprise that pets make such great assistance and therapy animals. We want to introduce you to some local animals who are making a difference in people's lives right here in Palm Beach County.
The "Lovebug Gang" – (l-r) Leonardo, Gianna, Baby Nino
(top) and Laura
Gianna, Leonardo and Baby Nino
Delray Beach, FL
Through lots of hard work and training Gianna earned her CGC title (Canine Good Citizten) in May 2008. She and her mom, Laura formed an animal assited therapy team for Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, where they volunteer an average of 30 hours a month visiting assisted living and nursing home residents. In the last 6 months they have added Baby Nino, the bird, who is the first pet therapy bird with Vitas as well as Gianna's brother Leonardo, who is a pet therapy dog in training.
Each month Gianna, along with many of her furry friends, hosts a Canine Couture Fashion Show and Ice Cream Social for the assisted living residents. This year Gianna and Laura were recognized as "Volunteers of the Year" for Palm Beach County Hospices.They often visit the assisited living facilities in the "Love Bug" getup so the whole gang can come at once. This brings lots of smiles to the residents. Starting in April, the Love Bug will be hitting the road once a month to visit childrens hospitals.
Coco is a trained, licensed and insured therapy dog through Therapy Dogs International.
When you meet Coco, it is immediately obvious that
he loves his job. He and his mom, Kelli currently visit 4 to 5 facilities per week. And while they did not set out to work primarily with seniors, the seniors are Coco's biggest fans.
Just ask Coco and you'll see why they chose to do this work. "It's really amazing to do this type of work. I have seen the benefits of therapy work in action such as lowering someone's blood pressure just by petting me; comforting someone who was close to death; bringing smiles to individuals who have no one else in their lives. It may not be much, but the joys I received from being a therapy dog are truly priceless!"
Jake's story is close to our hearts here at Palm Beach Pet Lovers! Christmas day of 2005 we found him wandering the streets of West Palm Beach. We took him in, determined to find his family, but instead found a new loving adoptive family!
Jake joined his new family in Jupiter Farms and after much hard work and training, became a registered Therapy Dog through the Delta Society and Therapy Dog, Inc. He was also named an American Kennal Club Canine Good Citizen because of the work he does through the State Attorney's Office in West Palm Beach. Jake works with children who have been witnesses or victims of crime.
We have since lost touch with Jake and the Taylor family, but we have such fond memories of him and our hearts are filled with joy thinking of the amazing work "Jakers" is doing.
Click Here to read more about Jake in the Rescue Stories section of this website.
