Human-Animal Interventions Archives - International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy

When We Adopt a Dog: The Early Days

by Risë VanFleet, PhD | Mar 28, 2022 | Uncategorized, Animal Behavior, Human-animal bond, Human-animal interventions, Children, families, & animals, Animal welfare

Adding a new dog to the family requires considerable thought and planning. It’s a big decision requiring a lifelong commitment. When the dog arrives, the first steps including helping the new family member feel comfortable in the environment, assisting other animals in the family to adjust, and getting to know the new dog as well as possible. This process must precede decisions about any work in which the dog might become involved. This brief article highlights the early process to navigate the early days and weeks.

Finding and Preparing a Dog for Canine Assisted Play Therapy™

by Risë VanFleet, PhD | Feb 14, 2021 | Animal Assisted Play Therapy®, Articles, Animal preparation & training, Reference materials, Psychotherapy

Another frequently asked question about Animal Assisted Play Therapy™ pertains to finding the right canine partner and preparing the dog for the work. Most common are questions about which breeds make the best therapy dogs. These are actually more complex questions than many people realize. This blogpost is designed to point readers toward some helpful resources that we have developed.

Animals Speak! Issue 14: Pandemic Topics for Kids–Getting Annoyed with Brothers and Sisters

by Risë VanFleet, PhD | Jul 8, 2020 | Animals Speak!

In Issue 14 of Animals Speak! Murrie talks about annoyances that come from living with brothers and sisters. These can be heightened during the pandemic when family members don’t have as much time away from each other as they might want. Murrie discusses his own occasional frustrations with two of his sisters and then offers a few things to do about those situations.

Animal Assisted Play Therapy®: What Is It and Why Is It Trademarked?

by Risë VanFleet, PhD | May 4, 2020 | Children, families, & animals, Psychotherapy, Play therapy, Human-animal bond

This article briefly describes Animal Assisted Play Therapy® and some of the elements that make it unique, namely the acceptance and welfare of the animals, the systematic incorporation of playfulness in the process, and the strong emphasis on relationships. It also discusses the trademarks that are used to define it.