About Animal Assisted Therapy
WHAT IS ANIMAL THERAPY?
There are two types of animal therapy. One is animal assisted activities - or visitation - which promotes a general feeling of well-being, reduces isolation and anxiety, provides recreation, and offers unconditional affection. Interactions with the therapy dog are low-key and usually involve such activities as petting and brushing. Therapy dogs can affect the physiological and psychological stress levels of the participants, lowering blood pressure, slowing a person’s heart rate, and reducing stress hormones. All dog therapy interactions contain elements of visitation and its benefits.
The other type of therapy encounter, which Rainbow focuses on, is animal assisted therapy which is the utilization of animals to facilitate healing and rehabilitation in a therapeutic setting. The dog plays an important part in someone’s physical, social, and emotional therapy activities. The therapy dog’s skills are used to meet the needs of the participants and utilize the mutually nurturing relationship between people and animals. These dogs require special training and work intensely with one person at a time or in small groups. Therapy dogs can aid in improving focus, interact with those who have difficulty communicating, encourage and aid in speech functions, and motivate physical activities. It’s the dog’s interaction with the participants that becomes the therapy.
The other type of therapy encounter, which Rainbow focuses on, is animal assisted therapy which is the utilization of animals to facilitate healing and rehabilitation in a therapeutic setting. The dog plays an important part in someone’s physical, social, and emotional therapy activities. The therapy dog’s skills are used to meet the needs of the participants and utilize the mutually nurturing relationship between people and animals. These dogs require special training and work intensely with one person at a time or in small groups. Therapy dogs can aid in improving focus, interact with those who have difficulty communicating, encourage and aid in speech functions, and motivate physical activities. It’s the dog’s interaction with the participants that becomes the therapy.
What type of ANIMAL therapy does rainbow provide?
Rainbow focuses on animal assisted therapy, using dogs to facilitate healing and rehabilitation in a therapeutic setting. The dog plays an important part in someone’s physical, social, and emotional therapy activities.
Rainbow provides community-based animal assisted therapy services at a variety of local facilities such as hospitals, schools, and park districts as well as at corporate and professional events. We don’t train or certify service or emotional support animals. Rather, our handlers and their dogs undergo special training and work intensely with one person at a time or in small groups.
Rainbow provides community-based animal assisted therapy services at a variety of local facilities such as hospitals, schools, and park districts as well as at corporate and professional events. We don’t train or certify service or emotional support animals. Rather, our handlers and their dogs undergo special training and work intensely with one person at a time or in small groups.
What’s the difference between a service dog and a therapy dog?
As defined by the American with Disabilities Act, a service dog is trained to perform tasks for a specific individual with a disability. The dog’s tasks must relate directly to a person’s disability. Service dogs are not considered pets.
A therapy dog, however, is considered a pet. They’re trained to interact with people to promote a feeling of well-being in a variety of settings. In addition to comfort work, Rainbow focuses on animal assisted therapy which utilizes dogs to facilitate physical, social, and emotional therapy.
Therapy dogs can aid in improving focus, interact with those who have difficulty communicating, encourage and aid in speech functions, and motivate physical activities. It’s the dog’s interaction with the participants that becomes the therapy. That interaction can provide practice for specific physical therapy functions. Essentially, the dog encourages the work. How? By being a dog. For example, dog grooming, walking a dog, and even ball throwing with a dog can help with coordination, strength, and flexibility.
A therapy dog, however, is considered a pet. They’re trained to interact with people to promote a feeling of well-being in a variety of settings. In addition to comfort work, Rainbow focuses on animal assisted therapy which utilizes dogs to facilitate physical, social, and emotional therapy.
Therapy dogs can aid in improving focus, interact with those who have difficulty communicating, encourage and aid in speech functions, and motivate physical activities. It’s the dog’s interaction with the participants that becomes the therapy. That interaction can provide practice for specific physical therapy functions. Essentially, the dog encourages the work. How? By being a dog. For example, dog grooming, walking a dog, and even ball throwing with a dog can help with coordination, strength, and flexibility.
Can any dog be a therapy dog?
The key to any dog’s ability to be a successful therapy dog is its temperament. In general, a good therapy dog is responsive to its owner as well as other people, has good manners, is willing to learn new things, and doesn’t become overly stressed in new situations. Therapy dogs must be friendly and gentle, enjoy human contact, and feel content being petted and handled.
If your dog has these qualities, then he or she is a good candidate for animal assisted therapy. To explore your abilities as an AAT team, try our Introduction to Animal Assisted Therapy class.
To be eligible, dogs must be 12 months or older, have lived in a permanent home for at least 6 months, should respond to basic obedience commands (sit, down, stay, etc.), and be able to walk on a loose lead. Dogs must also be healthy and up-to-date on all vaccinations.
If your dog has these qualities, then he or she is a good candidate for animal assisted therapy. To explore your abilities as an AAT team, try our Introduction to Animal Assisted Therapy class.
To be eligible, dogs must be 12 months or older, have lived in a permanent home for at least 6 months, should respond to basic obedience commands (sit, down, stay, etc.), and be able to walk on a loose lead. Dogs must also be healthy and up-to-date on all vaccinations.
Is there an age limit to be a therapy dog?
At Rainbow, no. Some organizations retire dogs at a certain age. Rainbow does not automatically refuse a senior dog however, the animal's general health and background is an important consideration. Starting at an older age may be stressful for your dog.
About Rainbow
WHERE IS RAINBOW LOCATED?
Our headquarters and training facility is located at 6042 West Oakton Street in Morton Grove IL. Classes are occasionally held in Evergreen Park IL and in Barrington IL.
WHAT GEOGRAPHICAL AREA DOES RAINBOW SERVE?
We offer animal assisted therapy programs throughout the Chicagoland area, including its suburbs.
DOES RAINBOW PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL HOME VISITS?
No. Rainbow only provides community-based animal assisted therapy services at a variety of local facilities such as hospitals, schools, park districts as well as at corporate and professional events.
DOES RAINBOW VISIT HOSPITALS?
Yes. Rainbow therapy teams that visit hospitals are required to have at least six months of experience working in our programs and complete our three-part Rainbow Medical Training class.
Our hospital partners also require that our Rainbow volunteers fulfill certain health requirements in order to work within their facility. These requirements vary from hospital to hospital and may include annual flu shots, blood titers, vaccines (including COVID), etc.
Our hospital partners also require that our Rainbow volunteers fulfill certain health requirements in order to work within their facility. These requirements vary from hospital to hospital and may include annual flu shots, blood titers, vaccines (including COVID), etc.
DOES RAINBOW VISIT nursing HOMES OR RETIREMENT CENTERS?
Due to our extensive commitments, we’ve limited our programs to serve other types of facilities and are unable to visit nursing homes or retirement centers.
DOES RAINBOW HAVE LIABILITY INSURANCE?
Yes. Our volunteers and therapy teams are covered by liability insurance at all authorized Rainbow programs or events.
Volunteering with Rainbow
HOW DO I BECOME A RAINBOW THERAPY TEAM WITH MY DOG? DO I NEED SPECIAL TRAINING TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER?
The first step to becoming a member is enrolling in Rainbow’s Introduction to Animal Assisted Therapy class. Upon successful completion of the class and passing the Rainbow Registry Test, you and your dog can join Rainbow as an AAT team and begin working in programs.
In order to retain working status as an AAT team, Rainbow requires a minimum eight-month commitment totaling a minimum of 22 hours a year participating with a dog in Rainbow programs. Yearly re-evaluations are required for each therapy team.
To be eligible, handlers must be 18 years or older.
Visit our Volunteer page to learn more about joining our Rainbow community.
In order to retain working status as an AAT team, Rainbow requires a minimum eight-month commitment totaling a minimum of 22 hours a year participating with a dog in Rainbow programs. Yearly re-evaluations are required for each therapy team.
To be eligible, handlers must be 18 years or older.
Visit our Volunteer page to learn more about joining our Rainbow community.
CAN I CERTIFY MY DOG THROUGH RAINBOW AS MY PERSONAL THERAPY/COMFORT DOG OR TO WORK WITH ME FULL-TIME?
No. Rainbow only provides community-based animal assisted therapy services at a variety of local facilities such as hospitals, schools, park districts as well as at corporate and professional events. We don’t train or certify service or emotional support animals. Rather, our handlers and their dogs undergo special training and work intensely with one person at a time or in small groups.
Partnering with Rainbow
HOW DO I REQUEST RAINBOW THERAPY DOGS AT MY COMMUNITY FACILITY? HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
To request a visit from Rainbow, please Contact Us and our Program Coordinator will contact you regarding how we can best accommodate your needs.
We offer therapy programs at no charge to not-for-profit corporations. Since Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy is an Illinois 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, supported by donations, your voluntary sponsorship is greatly appreciated.
We offer therapy programs at no charge to not-for-profit corporations. Since Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy is an Illinois 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, supported by donations, your voluntary sponsorship is greatly appreciated.
HOW DO I REQUEST RAINBOW THERAPY DOGS AT MY CORPORATE EVENT? HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Rainbow provides therapy dog services for business, corporate, or professional events. These include employee de-stressing and wellness sessions, marketing, or presentations. For corporate events, tax-deductible donations are requested.
To request a visit from Rainbow, please Contact Us and our Program Coordinator will contact you regarding how we can best accommodate your needs.
To request a visit from Rainbow, please Contact Us and our Program Coordinator will contact you regarding how we can best accommodate your needs.
DOES RAINBOW HOST SPEAKING EVENTS?
Yes. You can Contact Us to schedule a presentation about Rainbow and/or the general benefits of animal assisted therapy. At Rainbow, we're passionate about telling our story and spreading awareness about what we do. All presenters can be accompanied by certified, trained therapy dogs.
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