Animals and Face Masks : Creating Safety, Fun, and Familiarity
As we reopen our businesses, dog trainers, behaviorists, and human therapists are likely to be wearing masks and engaging in social distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19. How do animals respond to mask-wearing humans? How can we make our use of masks comfortable for them? This post focuses on ways to ensure that masks do not become impediments to the work we do that involves animals.
Read MoreAnimals Speak! Issue 12: Pandemic Tips and Getting Along with Family Members
Animals Speak! is a volunteer project of the International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy® which provides information, encouragement, and ideas for kids of all ages about the pandemic. In Issue 12, we get some reminders on how to stay safe, how to get along with your family when they get on your nerves, and then a special message for a couple kids who follow along with us!
Read MoreResuming In-Person Animal Assisted Play Therapy® During the Pandemic
As people involved in Animal Assisted Play Therapy® and Animal Assisted Interventions plan to reopen their clinics or practices for in-person sessions, many risk factors must be considered. Risk management plans must be updated to take the pandemic into account. This article provides some excellent resources and some factors to think about when planning for a safe resumption of in-person sessions.
Read MoreAnimals Speak! Issue #11: Hong Kong Therapy Dogs Sing For You!
Animals Speak! is a a project of the International Institute of Animal Assisted Play Therapy® featuring therapists and their animals from all over the world who have been trained in AAPT. The purpose is to provide child-friendly information about topics related to the pandemic, along with some fun or interesting ideas to help kids of all ages cope with what is going on. In Issue 11, we will hear from some singing dogs from Hong Kong!
Read MoreTeletherapy Sessions with Animals: Initial Considerations
Reports by therapists suggest that their own therapy animals or family companion animals are being involved in their teletherapy sessions. This process is not as straightforward as one might think. This blogpost outlines some key considerations for therapists prior to involving any animals in their sessions.
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