Pet-Assisted Therapy

Bringing People and Pets Together to Enhance Well-Being and Education with Pet-Assisted Therapy

Pet-Assisted Activities are volunteer offered, free visits. Teams should meet with staff and visit the facility to discover what the best approach for minimizing stress for everyone, especially the pet. Our many years of experience have taught us to expect the unexpected. Planning in advance includes meeting staff, a site assessment (elevators, flooring, tight spaces, cultures) and clarifying expectations (individuals, groups, time, commitment). This helps create a positive and professional visiting experience.

Oftentimes, visiting teams are considered entertainment. Although dogs can be entertaining, it is not the primary goal. Like bingo, playing word games and singing, Pet Activities add joy and connection for those who love pets! I

Intrinsically, as a professional volunteer team, knowing when someone does not enjoy visiting or it is stressful for the pet requires observational skill. With integrity and calmness, you learn when to pleasantly move on.

Pet-Assisted Therapy is a goal directed intervention. Depending on the team and the interested facility / health care professional, it can be offered as a free visit or fee for service. Most HCP’s cover their own insurance.

Although both Activities and Therapy offer joy, connection and healing, PAT is generally set-up as an adjunct to treatment planning. Prior discussion is required between the therapy team and staff before initiating contact with clients. Each facility and/or primary health care professional is different. During consultation, payment, hours, intentions and goals need to be clarified. Oftentimes, a negotiated contractual agreement is required.

Activities Therapy

Board Certified Counselor

Registered Therapy Dogs

Team Journey and Team Tate

, Journey and Tate

As a board certified counselor with over 20 years of pet-assisted therapy experience (counseling, mediation, coaching) with children, families and older adults, I am testimony to the benefits of adding PAT as an adjunct to treatment goals. I enjoy being an active volunteer and offer pet-assisted therapy as part of my private practice.

Dogs make a difference in the right situations. I know because they have healed me many times.

Living and learning with dogs makes me a better human.

If you have a client and/or group that you feel would benefit from pet-assisted therapy, contact me.

Email neppnh

Call: 603-635-3647 b

603-661-3647 c

Maureen Ross, MA

Casual meet and greet activities that involves pets visiting people
No specific treatment goals planned
Same activity can be used with many people
Detailed notes unnecessary
Visit content is spontaneous
Visit can be as long or short as designed

Significant part of treatment for many people who are physically, socially, emotionally or cognitively challenged
Stated goals for each session
Individual treatment for each client
Notes on client progress taken at each session
Visit scheduled, usually at set intervals
Length of visit is pre-determined to fit the needs of client

Group or Private Coaching Info.