Animal Assisted Therapy
Local
A Good Idea
Description
Therapy dog Elle is a standard poodle who is certified through Therapy Dogs, Inc. She works with the Hearing and Speech Department at Children's National Medical Center. She primarily works with children as follows:
1. Children with severe profound communication disorders use speech generating devices (augmentative and alternative communication devices, or AAC) to command the dog to "sit", "jump", "shake" etc.
2. Children who are inpatients and are initial Passy-Muir valve users can call the dog from the door to their bedside.
3. Older, at risk children who are receiving court order evaluations need the dog for lowering anxiety and building rapport.
1. Children with severe profound communication disorders use speech generating devices (augmentative and alternative communication devices, or AAC) to command the dog to "sit", "jump", "shake" etc.
2. Children who are inpatients and are initial Passy-Muir valve users can call the dog from the door to their bedside.
3. Older, at risk children who are receiving court order evaluations need the dog for lowering anxiety and building rapport.
Goal / Mission
The goal of Animal Assisted Therapy is for the dog to provide an immediate reward to the child through her affection and reduce anxiety about the various tasks the child is being asked to participate in.
Results / Accomplishments
Therapy Dog Elle has been working with the Hearing and Speech Department since 2008. She generally comes once weekly for an entire day and sees patients during their regular appointments. She also greets families in the waiting room. Records are maintained about her visits. She averages 8 - 10 direct patient visits a month. She has a reputation among staff and families as being one of the better clinicians. She was featured in two articles in John Kelly's column in the Washington Post in 2012.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Children's National Medical Center
Primary Contact
Sheela Stuart, Ph.D., CC-SLP
Children's National Medical Center
111 Michigan Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20010
301-765-5427
sstuart@childrensnational.org
http://www.childrensnational.org/departmentsandpro...
Children's National Medical Center
111 Michigan Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20010
301-765-5427
sstuart@childrensnational.org
http://www.childrensnational.org/departmentsandpro...
Topics
Health / Children's Health
Health / Adolescent Health
Health / Disabilities
Health / Adolescent Health
Health / Disabilities
Organization(s)
Children's National Medical Center
Date of implementation
2008
Location
Washington, D.C.
For more details
http://www.childrensnational.org/files/PDF/Departm...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/at-childrens-h...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/at-childrens-h...
Target Audience
Children, Teens, Families
Additional Audience
Medical Professionals
Submitted By
Children's National Medical Center