Swedes Launches Animal Therapy Program
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Posted: 3:42 PM Jul 27, 2010
Swedes Launches Animal Therapy Program
Hospital seeks animals that can join its new animal-assisted therapy program.
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From SwedishAmerican Health System:

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- SwedishAmerican Health System will begin an Animal Assisted Therapy/Activities Program this fall. The program is being offered through the Health System’s Holistic Health Services Department as an adjunct to other services provided to its patients.

Research has shown that a visit by a specially-trained therapy dog and handler can reduce stress and pain levels, lower blood pressure and result in shorter hospital stays for many patients.

“We are very excited to bring, what we think, will be an outstanding new service to our patients,” said Cathy Keith, Director of Holistic Health at SwedishAmerican. “Our program will include friendly visits to patient rooms, group activities in areas like our Center for Mental Health, as well as one-on-one therapy tailored specifically to a patient’s medical condition. We also plan involvement with the Ryan Jury Child Development Learning Center as well as community involvement at our neighborhood schools, especially if they have students that could benefit from this type of therapeutic work."

The program is currently recruiting members for its team of specially-trained therapy dogs and handlers to become part of this new volunteer opportunity. An information session will be held Monday, August 2, at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Center, rooms 5 & 6, at the hospital, 1401 East State Street. Deb Schwarze, Animal Assisted Therapy Coordinator, will provide details of the program and requirements for the handler and their dogs. Attendees may use either the State Street or Charles Street entrance and follow the signs to the conference room.

For further information, contact Deb at 815-961-2030, ext. 2166, or dschwarze@swedishamerican.org. Dogs should not attend the information session.

FAQ About Animal Assisted Therapy/Activities

What is Animal Assisted Therapy/Activities?
Animal Assisted Therapy/Activities are services provided by trained dogs and their handlers to individuals in a variety of settings. At SwedishAmerican Hospital, dogs will visit patients in individual and group situations.
Animal Assisted Activities are designed to bring comfort to hospitalized patients who may be calmed or encouraged by a visit from a furry, friendly, four-legged friend. Animal Assisted Therapy is a specific goal-directed intervention designed to improve a patient’s physical, social, emotional and/or cognitive functioning.

Why Is This Service Being Offered?
SwedishAmerican Hospital is proud to offer Animal Assisted Therapy/Activities as an adjunct to other services provided to its patients. Research has shown that a visit by a specially trained therapy dog and handler can reduce stress and pain levels, lower blood pressure and result in shorter hospital stays for many patients.
Since many individuals miss their canine companions, a visit by a tail wagging therapy dog can bring a more home-like atmosphere to their hospital room.

Where Will this Service Be Offered?
There are some limitations as dogs are not allowed in all areas of a hospital. The pilot project for the Animal Assisted Therapy/Activities program will be in the Center for Mental Health on the 4th floor of the main hospital. The hope is to expand the service to other areas of the hospital in late 2010 or early 2011.

What About Infection Control Issues?
In 2008, The State of Illinois amended the Hospital Licensing Act to allow Animal Assisted Therapy/Activities in hospitals. Rules are stringent and training for the dogs and handlers must comply with these regulations as well as standards recommended by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. and adopted by the hospital. Our program will also follow protocols established by Delta Society—a leading animal assisted therapy organization.

What Makes a Dog A Good Candidate?/b>
Dogs must:
- be one year of age or older
- complete basic obedience training
- have no history of animal or human aggression
- be confident and outgoing
- like to be petted and touched
- have an easy-going personality
- be able to handle stress well
- be predictable
- be well-mannered
- love people and other dogs
- have a current registration with a national therapy dog organization and applicable liability insurance coverage or is willing to obtain registration
- be able to successfully complete SwedishAmerican’s specialized temperament assessment

What Training is Required?
- Because of health and safety issues for all concerned, additional training specific to the needs of SwedishAmerican Hospital patients is required for both dogs and handlers.
- Dogs must be registered with either Therapy Dogs International or Therapy Dogs Incorporated. Websites are www.tdi-dog.org (Therapy Dogs International) and www.therapydogs.com (Therapy Dogs Incorporated).
- Both dogs and humans must comply with health requirements.
- Dogs and handlers must successfully complete an intensive 2½ day training program.

How Do I Get Involved?
- The first step is to complete volunteer applications. A specific Animal Assisted Therapy/Activities Program application is required in addition to the SwedishAmerican Health System Volunteer application.
- The potential volunteer must provide two non-relative references as well as a statement of ability to participate in the Animal Assisted Therapy/Activities program from their primary care provider.
- A background check is also required. (cost is covered by the hospital)
- Volunteers must complete an initial two stage TB testing and be tested every year thereafter in their birth month. (cost is covered by the hospital)
- Volunteers will follow all rules and procedures established by SwedishAmerican Health System. (Employee volunteers will also need to comply with these requirements).
- After these documents are completed and all necessary documentation is received by the Animal Assisted Therapy Coordinator, dogs and handlers that are registered with Therapy Dogs Inc. or Therapy Dogs International will be invited to attend a temperament screening.
- If the dog and handler successfully complete the screening assessment, they will be invited to attend a 2½ day intensive training.
- After completion of this training, the dog and handler will be invited to become volunteer members of SwedishAmerican’s Animal Assisted Therapy/Activities Program.

Are There Other Requirements?
- Volunteers are required to work two 2-hour shifts per month.
- Specific guidelines for behaviors, clothing and confidentiality must be followed.
- Dogs must be on year-round flea and heartworm protection, be bathed less than 24 hours prior to each visit and comply with all needed health and vaccination requirements.

This Sounds Like a Lot of Work!
We recognize that involvement in our program is work intensive. However, bringing
animals into a health care setting is highly regulated. We want to ensure safety for our
patients, our visitors, our staff members, our volunteers and the dogs. Consequently, all of
the paperwork, training and hard work will result in a successful program that will benefit
all concerned.

What’s In It For Me?
The human member of a therapy dog team will tell you that they enjoy the time spent visiting with their dog. It can be satisfying to know that you are helping others and are able to spend time with your four-legged family member.

Where Do My Dog and I Go For Training?
SwedishAmerican Health System and SwedishAmerican Animal Assisted Therapy/Activities program does not endorse any specific local dog trainers. We suggest that you consult with your vet, groomer or others who may have taken their dogs for training to choose a trainer that meets your needs. We do encourage you to ask about the type of training methods used (positive reinforcement use is encouraged) and if the trainer is a part of any professional dog trainer organizations. A well-trained dog will be well-behaved, not because they fear you but because they want to please you.

How Do My Dog and I Get Registered as a Therapy Dog Team?
Please refer to the following organization’s websites. The local evaluators for their organization are also listed here.

Therapy Dogs International - more information available at their website, www.tdi-dog.org.
Evaluators
- Jan Carlson, itrain538@aol.com, 815-235-1500
- Pat Nordenberg, pnrdnbrg@aol.com, 815-633-8189
- Jeff White, jwhite245@yahoo.com, 815-275-4124

Therapy Dogs Incorporated - more information available at their website,

Latest Comments

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 27, 2010 at 11:32 PM

copycats. Another local hospital already does this. You're just trying to compete with them. You're too late. They were the first and it is highly successful with them and the patients.
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