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Animal-assisted therapy

Aloha Facility Dog

A Certified Canine Companion Facility dog that can be part of treatment at times to encourage kids to try their best!

Aloha, the yellow Labrador facility dog

Lauren and Alex both have a passion for using AAT as an intervention approach in therapy. They presented a research poster on the effectiveness of AAT at the Florida Occupational Therapy Association (FOTA) in 2008.

AAT is a type of therapy intervention that uses a certified/specially trained animal in a client’s goal-directed treatment program.

Currently, 7 Senses Therapy utilizes “Aloha” a Yellow Lab from Canine Companions For Independence. AAT is designed to help improve the physical, educational, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning of clients. AAT can also be used to motivate a client to attempt a new or challenging task.

To learn more about obtaining a dog, like Aloha, free of charge from Canine Companions for Independence please go to www.cci.org.

Videos

All videos on YouTube

How Aloha helps in a session

  • Take Aloha through an obstacle course for sequencing and gross motor skills
  • Work Aloha’s fasteners, leash, and collar for fine motor skills
  • Practice dressing by buttoning and zipping Aloha’s vest
  • Cut treats for scissor skills
  • Brush and pet Aloha for range of motion and tactile input
  • Give commands for sequencing and language
  • Toss toys for arm motion and eye-hand coordination
  • Play tug-of-war for arm strength and proprioceptive input
  • Carry water and food for bilateral coordination
  • Read to Aloha to build confidence with reading
  • Touch ear, paws, and tail for body-part recognition
  • Use Aloha as support when a task is new or hard
  • Walk Aloha to practice transitions
  • Take turns in a game
  • Practice manners and opening up with another being
  • Watch Aloha demonstrate a tunnel or course, then try it
  • Paw painting for children who need tactile input
  • Write letters to Aloha for legibility, formation, and spacing
  • Watch Aloha model when to be excited and when to be calm
  • Toss a balloon back and forth for bilateral coordination
  • Use gestures and signals to communicate, for fine motor practice
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