Anne & John J Walsh Foundation, 35 Prospect Park W, Apt 6B, Brooklyn, NY 11215, US

The Good Dog Foundation has developed a program for adult volunteers and their dogs to become a Good Dog Team, certified to volunteer for animal assisted therapy in our various programs, such as healthcare facilities, community programs for adults and children, and disaster relief. The training consists of 10 highly effective sessions that teach dogs and their handlers the necessary skills and procedures to participate in animal assisted therapy. Adult volunteers are not only taught how to work with their dog, but also how to comfortably and confidently interact with all types of patient populations in a variety of situations. Dogs are trained, through positive reinforcement only, to hone their temperaments and gain the necessary mannerisms and skills to navigate a healthcare environment and become a therapeutic assistance to someone in need. Teams are tested and evaluated throughout the training course and certified upon completion of the course to work as a Good Dog Team. They are also monitored and assisted as they first enter animal assisted therapy work and re-certified on a yearly basis. The Good Dog Foundation seeks out, establishes, and maintains relationships with healthcare facilities open to animal assisted therapy. These partner institutions are the facilities our volunteers visit. The Good Dog Foundation coordinates between the healthcare facility staff and the Good Dog Team to arrange schedules, patient information, and therapy coordination. The Good Dog Foundation also provides opportunities for volunteers to participate in community programs. These varied opportunities engage children and adults in all states of need throughout the community in both education and service-oriented projects. The Good Dog Foundation collaborates with researchers, healthcare professionals, and other organizations to promote research studies that document the effects of the human-animal bond on human healing and wellness. While there is much anecdotal evidence supporting the monumental benefits of animal assisted therapy, there is much to be done in the world of scientific research and documentation to help open doors for animal assisted therapy to the healthcare community and beyond.

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