Canine Assisted Therapy (C.A.T.) is a 501(c)(3) and was founded in August 2009 to address the need of companionship and to provide unconditional love to those in need in nursing homes, hospitals, hospice, etc. C.A.T. recruits volunteers and their dogs.
The dogs are evaluated for the necessary temperament and personality and are also required to pass the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Certification for obedience.
All of our volunteers have submitted to a Level 2 Criminal Background Screening and are eligible to volunteer to work with the elderly, children, special needs, and at risk populations according to Florida state law. We provide training and accompany the volunteer for their first visit to a facility and also provide continuing support to both facilities and the volunteer.
The organization has grown to include providing services to not only the elderly, but to youth and disabled individuals as well. In addition to the Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) that are provided in nursing facilities and hospitals, our programs now also include:
Pack Readers Program: Advanced Certified C.A.T. Dog Teams provide the unconditional love and non-judgmental support to children who are learning to read. Our services are currently provided in public and charter schools in Broward, Palm Beach and Sumter counties with plans to expand to Miami/Dade counties in the near future. The focus of the program is to work with children who may be reading below their grade level; have low self esteem; or may be learning English as a second language.
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT): The newest program is Animal Assisted Therapy. We have recently partnered with Ann Storck Center to provide some of our Advanced Certified C.A.T. dogs to assist in Physical and Occupational Therapies with participants of Ann Storck Center. Significant motivation is provided to the physically challenged by the dogs. Participants reach, touch, feed, groom, and give affection to the dogs. The program is in its early stages and there are plans to have the dogs walk with individuals in walkers with the goal of “one more step” because of the dogs. The dogs will also be worked into the Art Therapy Program. We have only just begun to explore the ways in which our wonderful C.A.T. Dogs will be able to enhance the lives of the individuals at Ann Storck.
Continuing Education Program: C.A.T. understands the need for our volunteers to be educated about the different populations that they serve. In December of 2009, we began a series of Continuing Education seminars covering such issues as Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementias; Working with Special Needs Individuals; Metal Illness and Disorders; and Infection Control just to name a few.
Teen Corps: The Teen Corps was started by board member, Susan McCauley and is currently in The Villages in Oxford, Florida. With Susan’s help and guidance, the teens work with their dogs learning basic obedience commands. The goal is for the dog to be able to pass the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen test and receive the AKC certification. The teens, along with their canine companions then learn how to communicate and work with the elderly in nursing facilities. This program not only enables the teens to fulfill required community service hours, but also strengthens the bond between the teen and their dog and has ultimately strengthened the bonds of entire families.
Senior Corps: The Senior Corps is currently active in Independence Hall, an assisted living facility in Wilton Manors, Florida. The seniors assist with the C.A.T. Dog certification process by participating acting as a “crowd” for our testing. The seniors also help C.A.T. by preparing volunteer welcome packets and special projects. Many of the seniors have also assisted us in the training of our dogs for use in Physical and Occupational Therapies. Because many of the seniors are unable to leave the facility but are still active and want to give back to the community, C.A.T. has brought the volunteer opportunity right to their homes.
To learn more about Canine Assisted Therapy, please see our website at www.catdogs.org
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