About Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy

Rainbow AAT Programs Training Mission History

Happy girl with dog Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy, the largest and oldest organization of its type in the Chicago metropolitan area, is a volunteer organization committed to using the capabilities and magic of dogs in therapeutic environments, especially with children.

Rainbow was founded in 1987 with less than a dozen member/handlers. Today, Rainbow services the city of Chicago and the surrounding 6-county metropolitan area. Rainbow currently operates over 75 programs, reaching more than 1000 children per month.

All our programs, besides developing and building essential skills, give the children a focus other than their disability or disease and provide a happy respite from the rigors and challenges of daily life.

Animal Assisted Therapy
Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is the utilization of animals to facilitate healing and rehabilitation. AAT programs are goal-oriented, differing from visitation programs which occur when an animal and its owner/handler visit patients or residents. AAT also differs from programs involving assistance, service, or companion dogs; typically these animals are placed with individuals as a part of daily life.

Rainbow Programs
Rainbow’s AAT programs build on the unique bond between dogs and humans to meet specific goals. Many times, participants will perform tasks for the dogs that they would not ordinarily do for anyone else. Rainbow works with the organization involved to identify goals, although sometimes goals are established at an individual level. Goals may be oriented to emotional growth such as self-control, physical skills such as reaching for or grasping objects, or growth in skills such as reading. Rainbow’s dogs provide powerful motivation—and a lot of fun! Currently, Rainbow is active in hospitals and health care facilities, residential centers, schools and libraries, and parks and camps. Our programs are provided without charge although donations are always appreciated. Please visit our Programs web page for more detailed information on Rainbow Programs.

Rainbow Testing and Training
Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy is a volunteer organization. Our volunteers work with their own dogs and must pass a registry test to participate. Particularly since Rainbow works with children, many of whom are sick or have special needs, it is vital that Rainbow dogs are well-mannered and behaved. Rainbow members are tested annually to ensure that both dogs and handlers retain their abilities to handle potentially difficult situations. Our members are insured for liability when participating in Rainbow programs.

Rainbow offers classes to potential new members to help them build therapy-oriented skills and learn how to handle their dogs effectively the in various therapeutic environments Rainbow works in. Additionally, regular “drop-in” classes are held for Rainbow volunteers to refresh and hone their skills further. Please visit our Classes web page for more detailed information on Rainbow training classes.

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Rainbow
Mission
Statement

Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy is an organization that works with trained, registered therapy dogs to help people, especially children and those with special needs, to improve their health, activities of daily living and quality of life.

We are volunteers working with and handling our own dogs.

We develop training and registration programs to prepare dogs and handlers.

We work in facilities such as schools, hospitals, residential centers, and park districts throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.

We develop programs to meet the needs and goals of each facility.

History of Rainbow
Rainbow was started in 1987, by a group of 7 dog owners (including Nancy Lind, current President and Executive Director of Rainbow). The basis for forming Rainbow was to fill a gaping hole in the therapeutic methods used to work with special needs children. Nancy Lind, who spent many years as a special education teacher, realized that the use of animals, and specifically canines, was not being used at all as a therapeutic aid.

After identifying the therapeutic need, these 7 dog owners trained their dogs to do therapy work with physically and mentally handicapped children. The combination of using specially-trained therapy dogs, along with specific education, recreational and motivation goals was a magical combination! It was soon evident to the original founders that even the “problem children” would respond to the non-judgmental attention of a friendly dog.

In 1990, Rainbow began working regular sessions for the Chicago Park District in their special education programs at park locations across the city. Demonstrations were given at dog shows and expositions, where the special kids were proud to show off their ability to interact with the Rainbow dogs. Rainbow founders also encouraged other dog owners and dog clubs to start their own pet therapy programs. Over time, this exposure led to more and more organizations and facilities requesting demonstrations and programs to work with the Rainbow dogs. Shriner’s Children’s Hospital of Chicago, among the very first of those organizations, is still being served by Rainbow volunteers today.

In 1996, Rainbow became a Corporation and is registered as an Illinois 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. From one program in 1987, Rainbow currently services the city of Chicago and the surrounding 6 county metropolitan area in over 75 different therapeutic programs, reaching more than 1000 children per month.

Rainbow AAT Programs Training Mission History

Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy, Inc. is an Illinois 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.

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