Amy Johnson

Suppose you’re counseling a young girl and she mentions that her father kicks her dog when he’s mad. It was not made as an isolated statement, but more as a part of the discussion of life in her house. As a counselor, what comes to mind? Do you address it? Let it go? If we probe just a little, chances are, someone else in the house is being battered as well. Studies indicate that 88% of families who have been reported for child abuse also had an animal abuser in the house.

Questioning allegations of animal abuse in the home is a necessary step in the counseling process; recognizing that animal abuse and child / spousal abuse are closely related. Domestic antagonizers abuse animals as a way to emotionally control or coerce their victims. In a survey of 50 shelters on the subject of women and children escaping from in-home abuse, 85% said that women in their shelter talked about abuse of their pets and 83% of the shelters had observed the coexistence of domestic violence and pet abuse. Further reports indicated that 70% to 75% of women who reported abuse reported that their pets were hurt or killed by their partner.[1]. In most cases, shelters do not allow women to bring their pets with them which results in them delaying refuge out of concern for their pets.

The Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reported on a case recently where the violence committed against the family cat led to his conviction for sexual abuse. A 9 year old girl was being sexually abused by her stepfather. He made her swear not to tell and threatened to harm her or her mother if she told. The case made it to trial and the prosecuting attorney asked if anyone else knew about her abuse. The little girl said that there was someone else, but he couldn’t talk. She was referring to her black and white cat, Oreo. She added that Oreo would lie outside her door at night and when her attacker approached, he hissed. In a protective manner, Oreo sat, attempting to block and intimidate the attacker who would brutally kick Oreo away from the door. This gave the prosecutor an idea. She had Oreo examined by a veterinarian and sure enough, Oreo had multiple injuries resulting from her consistent physical abuse. The prosecutor submitted the veterinarian’s report to the jury as evidence showing a pattern of violence in the home and the little girl’s allegations gained credibility. Because of this evidence, the stepfather was convicted and received a long prison sentence.

Too often, it is the family pet who has to take on the pain of an angry or jealous husband or heartless father or a mother as in the recent case who punished her son for his “bad” report card by forcing him to kill his hamster with a hammer. It is not a far stretch for one who hurts a beloved pet to harm a human.

[1]. The Abuse of Animals and Domestic Violence: A National Survey of Shelters for Women Who Are Battered” By Frank R. Ascione, Ph.D, Claudia V. Weber, M.S., and David S. Wood, Utah State University, Logan, Utah. Society and Animals, 5(3): 205-218. 1997.

Amy Johnson is a counselor, lecturer, founder, and program director of the non-profit organization, Teacher’s Pet: Dogs and Kids Learning Together.

Amy Johnson

We won’t see a dog practicing law any time soon, but that doesn’t mean we won’t see one in the courtroom. In fact, the practice is becoming more commonplace. Service dogs in the courtroom have been shown to be beneficial in breaking down the barriers of fear, distrust and anxiety, says one prosecutor, in order to get to the truth. Service dogs, offering unwavering emotional support and unconditional affection, can be useful in securing testimony from worried witnesses who might repudiate testifying against their known attacker.

To endure the ordeal of testifying, the calming presence of the service dog has been effective in nearly a dozen courtrooms around the country, especially with traumatized children. These specially trained canines meet with the witnesses or victims pre-trial so they can familiarize themselves with the children (or adults) and learn to recognize their emotional barometers. During the trial, their only job is to sit quietly in the witness stand with the person testifying. In most instances, they are barley seen or heard by anyone in the courthouse.

Courthouse Dogs, located in Washington, is an excellent resource that provides further information about courtroom dogs. The organization was founded after a prosecuting attorney began bringing her son’s service dog to work with her when her son was at school and she didn’t want the dog to be home alone. While she was bringing the dog to work, she was working on a case with twin 7-year old girls who had been sexually victimized by their father and were too terrified to testify. Without their testimony, their father would walk. The girls had spent time earlier with the service dog and were smitten with him. When the twins were on the stand, shaking and fearful, this prosecutor asked the judge to permit the dog to take the stand with the scared sisters. The judge allowed it and the dog laid quietly at their feet. Upon sensing tension in the girls, he would place his head on their laps. The dogs proved to be an item of comfort and security. The girls pet the dog as they were cross examined, and this provided them the ability to tell their stories, which resulted in two guilty verdicts on two counts of assault.

These legal beagles are typically trained by organizations that are members of Assistance Dogs International (ie Canine Companions for Independence). Their initial training emulates that of other service dogs (such as Leader Dogs for the Blind) like puppy raising, general training and then specific needs training. Characteristics for courtroom service dogs include:
* being quiet, unobtrusive and emotionally available for the witness
* being able to sit or lie down beside witness for an extended period of time
* not engaging in any behavior that would distract the witness or other people in the courtroom
* assisting the witness for as long as necessary

Those who oppose having dogs in the courtroom claim that it may taint the jury to where they would have more sympathy for the witness, thus not allowing for a fair trial. However, juries who were surveyed by Courthouse Dogs representatives did not find the dog’s presence to be inappropriate or opinion swaying. They understood, as do the courthouse canines, that some witnesses require additional emotional support during the trial. For more information, visit www.courthousedogs.com.

Amy Johnson is a counselor, lecturer, founder, and program director of the non-profit organization, Teacher’s Pet: Dogs and Kids Learning Together.

Amy Johnson

As therapists, we are taught that who we are is based on the collection of our experiences. Aristotle said something like: as for the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them. This is often forgotten in todays society where we tell children how to consider others feelings and we tell our clients how to forgive, but really, these constructs are only truly understood when they are experienced. Using experiential learning assists in helping clients make meaning from their experiences. Id like to share a story about a 15 year old girl who is in a court-referred residential placement and a scrappy, black lab mix with whom she worked in a program at her facility.

For nearly three weeks, the edgy teen and her unfocused, anxious dog just did not connect. Throughout those three weeks, there was an ample amount of whining from both ends of the leash. The teen was frustrated and feeling rejected because the little lab mix (Cutie) she was trying to train would not pay attention to her. Cutie was stressed and anxious because she had not come from a place where humans were kind and would pull frantically to escape her leashed confinement.

The ebullient teen persevered. She monitored her own frustration level, kept her voice friendly and soothing, became a human Pez dispenser providing hot dog bits and ensured that Cutie understood what was expected of her through boundary setting and consistency. Finally, Cutie began to seek attention from the teen and respond to the commands that were given. SUCCESS! As giddy girls often do, she bounced around the room, waving her arms and singing her own praises.

At one point, I asked her what this accomplishment meant to her. She responded with something so profound and unexpected to me. She said, “At first I didnt want to work with Cutie, she didnt like me and I didnt like her. But then, I just kept trying and trying and finally, she trusted me. It made me think that maybe if I keep trying with my mom, that eventually I can regain her trust.”

What a powerful and relevant lesson. Using dog training as a therapeutic intervention, the teen was not only in a safe and, more often than not, fun environment, she was open and willing to explore her internal self. Using experiential learning added experiences to her history on which to build and grow and ultimately, use some of her newly developed strategies to work on the relationship with her mother.

Amy Johnson is a counselor, lecturer, founder, and program director of the non-profit organization, Teacher’s Pet: Dogs and Kids Learning Together.

Amy Johnson

A friend of mine had been in the hospital for weeks experiencing a combination of pain, boredom and a disconnection from her loved ones. She tried texting, facebooking, watching TV, striking up conversation with the nurses but what finally roused her out of her funk was hearing the familiar jingling sounds sound outside her room. She sat upright instantly, wondering desperately if it could possibly be a dog. She said that once she was able to pet and hug her furry visitor, her spirits were lifted.

Laughter and positive emotions have a healing effect. This is just a small example of the power of animal assisted activities. Using the human-animal bond in infirmed settings continues to grow in popularity around the country and is used more and more in schools and counseling settings. Many therapists know this, but what they dont know is how to certify their dog. If you think your dog has all the makings of a great therapy dog, here are a few organizations that can help.

Therapy Dogs International (TDI) certifies healthy dogs over the age of one at locations throughout the U.S. TDI trained evaluators test to ensure the dogs can sit, stay even when the guardian leaves the room, leave it (dropped pills can be deadly), coming when called as well as test the reactions of the dogs around a variety of hospital equipment. Dogs should be friendly and seek attention from people as well as tolerate other dogs. TDI does not train your dog, only evaluate him. Liability insurance is available once your dog is certified. For more information or to find an evaluation site near you, visit www.tdi-dogs.org.

The American Kennel Club sponsors the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program. The CGC program awards certification for dogs (mixed or purebreds) who are good in the home and in the community. CGC does not certify therapy dogs; however, passing the CGC is an excellent precursor to taking the TDI certification exam. The test items include accepting a stranger, sitting politely to be pet, appearance and grooming, walking nicely on a leash, walking through a crowd, sit and down on command, stay, come when called, reactions to other dogs, distractibility and separation from his guardian. For more information on the Canine Good Citizen certificate, see www.akc.org/events/cgc.

Finally, the Delta Society is the largest and most renowned certifier of therapeutic animals. In addition to dogs, the Delta Society certifies all domestic animals including pot bellied pigs, llamas, cats, birds and pocket pets (guinea pigs, rabbits, rats) and more. Becoming a Pet Partner is possible even without a pet of your own. Animals do not have to be from a breeder; in fact, almost 30% of all Pet Partners were adopted from a shelter or rescue. Training inc ludes preparing yourself and your animal for visits, identifying and decreasing stress in your animal, special needs of specific client groups, facility and safety codes and more. Training can be done at a 12 hour hands-on course or a home study version. Visit www.deltasociety.org for more information.

If you have any experiences using animal assisted therapy or going through the training, please let me know! Id love to include your work in a future blog!

Amy Johnson is a counselor, lecturer, founder, and program director of the non-profit organization, Teacher’s Pet: Dogs and Kids Learning Together.

Amy Johnson

A slippery road, faulty equipment, a medical mishap. Just a sample of accidents which have caused thousands of people to spend their lives confined to a wheel chair or bed. Paraplegics and quadriplegics struggle with everyday executive functioning such as teeth brushing, getting dressed, changing the channel and sipping from a straw…compounding feelings of helplessness, isolation and depression.

In the late 1970s, psychologist Mary Jane Willard had friend who became a quadriplegic after such an accident. He was unable to eat, drink or blow his nose without a nurse’s assistance (Hahn, E., 1982). Dr. Willard, who as a student, worked with famous behaviorist B.F. Skinner, got the idea to use chimpanzees as aides. With their human-like qualities and opposable thumbs, the primates seemed to be a viable solution to help them live independently. Skinner, however, suggested she use capuchin monkeys because they are more nimble, smaller in size, more intelligent, have good memory skills and live about 30 years. She used Skinners reinforcement system for training and in 1979, she placed her first monkey, Hellion. Dr. Willard subsequently founded the Boston-based nonprofit program ”Helping Hands: Simian Aides for the Disabled.Since then, hundreds of capuchin monkeys have been eager hands…and sweet little companions…for paralyzed patients.

The dexterity of the diminutive simians allows them to perform meaningful and practical operations such as opening and closing doors, turning lights off and on, scratching an itch on a face, spoon feeding and inserting a disc and turning on the DVD player. Additionally, the person with whom the monkey is placed has a friend and aide nearby 24 hours a day with whom he creates a tight bond and close relationship. In fact, there was a quadriplegic man who passed away and for weeks his monkey would pick up a framed photo of the man and kiss it before putting it back on the table.

Helping Hands does, however, take the placement of monkeys seriously. Only 6-12,000 of the 250,000 quadriplegics in the U.S. are qualified candidates. Criteria include level of injury, living situation, vocational activity and attendant resource availability. The capuchin monkeys are supplemental to, not replacements for, human caregivers.

For more information on this remarkable program, visit www.helpinghandsmonkeys.org.

Amy Johnson is a counselor, lecturer, founder, and program director of the non-profit organization, Teacher’s Pet: Dogs and Kids Learning Together.

Amy Johnson

Auld Lang Syne
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

He was only six years old when he died. My husband and I had taken our shih tzu, Tobey, for a walk. After being spooked by something unknown to us, he managed to twist his head and body enough to slip out of his collar and run into the street. Despite my best efforts to stand in the middle of the road, begging the driver to stop, it was too late. The car halted but not before his front tires made contact with Tobey’s small body. The driver took off without so much as a backward glance. I started toward home, carrying Tobey and pleading with him to stay with us, but before we got there, I felt his body go limp.

That was over two years ago and it still hurts my heart. The grieving process was long and arduous. The most difficult part was the feeling that the intense pain I experienced was not warranted. After all, he was “just a dog.” But I am not alone. There are nearly 75 million dog owners and more than 88 million cat owners in the U.S. (www.hsus.org). A 1991 study of pet owners on the impact of loss of pets reported that over half of the women and one quarter of the men reported feeling extremely distressed by the loss of their pets.

For some, the loss of a companion animal can be equally or more devastating than the loss of a significant human relationship. The social dynamics between people and pets consist of qualities much like those of human social bonds. The human-animal bond involves an emotional attachment to a furry friend and sincere feelings of affection. Bowlby posited that the purpose of attachment is to “maintain an affectional bond and provide a sense of safety and security. Any relationship can become an attachment relationship if it fulfills that need for safety and security” (Sharkin and Knox, 2003).

As clinicians, this cannot be discounted. This pain is real and loss is loss. If there is a client bereaving a pet, ask about the relationship, what special place did the pet hold in her life and apply grief theory if necessary. Because pet bereavement has not received warranted attention in the counseling and psychology communities, many individuals who have lost a pet feel too embarrassed to seek help from counselors or friends… prolonging the pain and increasing feelings of isolation.

Let’s look at it this way: the presence of pets has been reported to elevate feelings of happiness, security, self worth and decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation so it would stand to reason that the loss of a pet would impact these affects as well. If we choose to love with all our hearts, we must grieve with all our hearts as well. This is true whether it’s a human or a companion animal relationship.

For those who live alone or have a limited social support network, the loss of a pet may signify the loss of a confidant, a friend who loved unconditionally and non-judgmentally. This is often hard to match in human form. Companion animals can be considered family or children. Pets often enhance the quality of life in families in ways that include increasing outward expression of affection, facilitating interaction and improved communication and increasing the overall joy in the home (Sharkin and Knox, 2003).

So during this time of togetherness and celebration, we can do as the seminal song suggests, remember our longstanding friendships and raise a glass to all of our family and friends, past and present, human and animal. We miss you Tobey. Happy Holidays!

Amy Johnson is a counselor, lecturer, founder, and program director of the non-profit organization, Teacher’s Pet: Dogs and Kids Learning Together.

Amy Johnson

“I named my dog Faith. I named her that because I have faith in her.”
“I have learned to be more patient and Mack has brought up my mood when I’m down.”
“Working with my dog has allowed me to learn so much about myself and others.”
“…I finally got my level for the first time since I’ve been here! I want to come work with my dog so it makes me try harder in my program.”
These quotes come from youth in our program who have been labeled as a “bad seed,” “monster,” “unreachable” or “untreatable.” Thankfully, the dogs with whom they have worked do not see the children that way. Instead, these behaviorally challenged shelter dogs have helped the youth improve their self-efficacy, self-worth, patience, impulse control and accountability.

Because the dogs have been able to crack open the door to their souls, the therapists have really been given the opportunity to reach the kids at a level that may have not been possible otherwise. It is so humbling to witness the bond and changes the youth are making internally and externally. I could spend this whole blog writing examples and stories about the experiences and I have no doubt that those of you who have an interest in animal assisted therapy could relay similar anecdotes, but I would like to share a few things that ought to be considered before beginning animal assisted therapy. For the sake of space, this blog will speak to using dogs specifically.

Consideration #1: ANIMALS MAY NOT WORK FOR EVERYONE
This is obvious, but for those of us who love dogs, it’s a little difficult to imagine that not everyone does. For a variety of reasons, some clients may not be comfortable around dogs. We have had residents/students who did not like dogs initially who have dramatically changed their minds, but it cannot be forced.

a) FEAR AND ALLERGIES
For clients who have been bitten, attacked or otherwise threatened by a dog in their past, this fear can make an animal assisted intervention difficult, but not impossible. Some clients may want to use the opportunity to work through this fear. Other therapists have told stories about clients who were very hesitant about having a dog in the room, but because of the dog’s ability to calm the client, they have changed their mind. The direction needs to come from the client when she is ready. We also need to consider that if we share office space or work in a school or residential setting, others entering the building should know that there will be a dog on site. Even for clients who love dogs, there are allergies to consider. Individuals can be allergic to the fur, dander or saliva of the dog so even having a dog who doesn’t shed could still a pose potential allergy issues. It is necessary to have a sign on the door indicating that there is a dog on premises, as perhaps someone in another room or waiting room may have fears or allergies. It is also important to let clients know when they call to set up an appointment for the first time that you do have a dog present in your therapy room. If they have any issues or concerns with the dog, determine what accommodations you can make.

b) DOGS NEED CONSIDERATION TOO
If you have a dog in your office, there will also need to be a separate room or crate for clients who are not ready or willing to work with a dog in the room. Since we’re making considerations, we need to consider the dog himself. Sometimes dogs get tired or overstimulated and they need a break as well. Therapists need to be able to recognize when their dogs are feeling stressed and oftentimes, we think that because WE are fine seeing client after client as we have been trained to do, the dogs are fine too. But that’s not true; sometimes they need to take a break. Dogs innately sleep a lot more than humans – typically 12-16 hours a day. We need to make concessions for their need for sleep. The repercussions for keeping your dog engaged when he needs to take a break can result in a bite. Learning about dog behavior would be beneficial and a topic I will write about later, hoping you don’t mind!

Consideration #2: CULTURE
I have worked with children from other cultures where dogs are a food source. They have a hard time relating to dogs as ‘friends’ or ‘companions’ with feelings. This does not rule out the opportunity for them to learn to engage with another living being. We worked with a boy from Korea who had a million questions about the dog he was working with. He was motivated to research information on line himself, and the first time his dog licked him, he was disgusted. Once I explained to him why dogs lick, he not only welcomed it, but would encourage it!

Consideration #3: LIABILITY
Finally, though certainly not the end of considerations to be made, liability insurance is a must. Because children, adults and dogs are unpredictable, we need to protect everyone involved. Even if a therapist using Animal Assisted Interventions has a waiver, legally, a waiver does not mean we are protected from a lawsuit. Insurance is not that expensive…mine runs less than $200 a year. If your dog goes through Therapy Dog International for certification or the Delta Society, certification often comes with a liability insurance policy.

If you have other thoughts, considerations, or questions please feel free to post a comment!

Amy Johnson is a counselor, lecturer, founder, and program director of the non-profit organization, Teacher’s Pet: Dogs and Kids Learning Together.

Amy Johnson

For some of those planning to use animal assisted therapy (AAT), it is equivalent to getting a new piece of technology without the benefit of directions. AAT seems simple enough; just bring the friendly dog along to the clinic as you would any other accessory and voila, sit back and watch the magic happen. Wouldn’t it be great if it worked that way? But alas, just like any other therapeutic intervention, it doesn’t.

Animal assisted therapy is often misunderstood. In fact, if you were to Google animal assisted therapy, you’d find dozens of terms (ie animal facilitated therapy, pet therapy, therapy pets, animal assisted interventions, animal assisted activities) and a whole host of definitions. However, following the writings of experts in the field, the appropriate terminology is animal assisted therapy or even animal facilitated therapy.

The Delta Society is the go-to organization when it comes to animal assisted therapy and the certification of therapy dogs. Their definition of animal assisted therapy, which is used in the majority of the literature on the subject, is: “… a goal-directed intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. AAT is directed and/or delivered by a health/human service professional with specialized expertise, and within the scope of practice of his/her profession. AAT is designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning. AAT is provided in a variety of settings and may be group or individual in nature. This process is documented and evaluated.” (From Standards of Practice for Animal-Assisted Activities and Therapy).”

Key features of AAT include specified goals and objectives tailored to each individual where progress is measured. Most people are familiar with pet visitation programs where trained and certified therapy dogs go into facilities randomly and visit with the elderly, those in hospice, children with illnesses…but would that be considered true animal assisted therapy? Not necessarily. Visitation is considered an Animal Assisted Activity (AAA). Sure, studies have shown that the mere presence of a domestic animal can reduce anxiety levels, lower blood pressure, decrease elevated heart rates, but it does not follow the definition established for therapy. Think about clown visits to sick children at local hospitals. Would that be considered clown assisted therapy?

The Delta Society defines Animal Assisted Activities as: “…providing opportunities for motivational, educational, recreational and/or therapeutic benefits to enhance quality of life. AAA are delivered in a variety of environments by specially trained professionals, paraprofessionals and/or volunteers, in association with animals that meet specific criteria.” (from Standards of Practice for Animal-Assisted Activities and Therapy)

AAA tend to be more casual, “meet and greet” type activities that involve visitation. These visits are generic rather than befitting a particular client which is the biggest difference between AAA and AAT. Volunteers and treatment providers do not take detailed notes nor measure outcomes. Visits are spontaneous and last as long or as short as needed.

Regardless of whether you’re using the intervention in an AAT or AAA context, animals act as excellent emotional outlets where students, patients and clients can communicate using verbal and non-verbal techniques. Animals have a calming effect and their companionship is unlike human interaction in that it’s uncomplicated. They are non-judgmental, accepting, attentive and non-threatening.

Amy Johnson is a counselor, lecturer, founder, and program director of the non-profit organization, Teacher’s Pet: Dogs and Kids Learning Together.