PAWgust Special - 3 Key Tips for Adding a Therapy Dog to Your Team

Happy PAWgust!

This month is all about celebrating therapy dogs and the amazing difference they can make in therapeutic settings. What better way to celebrate our fluffiest team members Phantom and Winnie!

If you’re an allied health clinician considering bringing a therapy dog into your practice, that’s fantastic! But before you leap into action, here are three friendly tips to help you navigate this exciting decision.

1. Make Sure a Therapy Dog Fits Your Practice and Clients

First things first: think about how a therapy dog would fit into your specific practice. Consider the dynamics of your environment and the needs of your clients. Would a therapy dog enhance the therapeutic atmosphere? Reflect on both the potential benefits and challenges. For instance, while some clients might feel more comfortable and engaged with a dog present, others might have allergies or fears that need to be considered.

Assessing whether a therapy dog aligns with your therapeutic goals and meets the needs of your clients will help ensure that the dog's presence is a valuable addition rather than a distraction.

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2. Pick the Right Dog and Get the Right Training

Choosing the right therapy dog is like picking the perfect teammate. Look for a dog with a calm demeanour and a friendly nature. Ideally, they should have undergone specific therapy dog training to handle various scenarios and interact well with clients.

And don’t forget, you’ll want to get trained too! Understanding how to work with a therapy dog, manage their behaviour, and keep things running smoothly is key. This way, you can ensure that the dog’s presence truly enhances the therapy experience rather than complicates it.

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3. Think About the Practical Stuff

Bringing a therapy dog into your practice involves a bit of planning. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Financial Considerations: Be ready for the ongoing costs associated with dog ownership. This includes food, grooming, veterinary care, training, insurances and any additional expenses that may arise. Ensuring you can afford these costs is essential for the well-being of the therapy dog and the sustainability of integrating one into your practice.
• Long-Term Commitment: In addition to the financial cost, owning a therapy dog requires a significant, ongoing commitment of time, attention and effort. Be prepared to exercise the dog daily, provide constant companionship, ensure your home, yard and workplace are secure, implement ongoing training and commit to daily health checks and grooming. Remember, therapy dogs need continuous emotional and physical care over their 10+ year lifespan.
• Insurance and Liability: Check with your insurance provider to make sure you’re covered for having a therapy dog. It’s always better to be prepared and ensure that you’re meeting all legal requirements.
• Hygiene and Safety: Make sure your space is ready for a dog. This includes keeping things clean and ensuring everyone’s comfortable. Have clear rules in place about how the dog interacts with clients and how you handle any messes. In addition, you will need to consider what additional WHS policies and procedures will need to be implemented to keep everyone safe.
• Client Comfort and Communication: Discuss the therapy dog with your colleagues and clients in advance. It's important to be upfront about the dog's presence, as some people may have allergies, phobias, or preferences regarding dogs. Providing options and alternatives can help accommodate everyone's needs and ensure a positive experience for all.
• Want to learn more? Check out the following article: “Dogs in the Workplace: A Review of the Benefits and Potential Challenges.”

Adding a therapy dog to your practice could be a wonderful way to enhance your therapy sessions and bring a little extra joy to your clients. By thinking through these tips, you’ll be better prepared to make this exciting change a smooth and positive one.

So, as we celebrate PAWgust, why not consider how a therapy dog might make a difference in your practice? It could be just what you and your clients need to take things to the next level!

Jen

P.S. Every year, Guide Dogs hosts a challenge to walk with a furry friend for 30 minutes a day throughout the month of August. By participating, we can raise money both as individuals and as a team to support this wonderful organisation.

If you'd like to join the challenge, here's how you can get involved:

1. Click here to sign up for the Chatterbox Team .
2. Promote your individual page on social media and encourage friends and family to support you.
3. Walk for 30 minutes every day throughout August.

It’s a simple, fun way to get outdoors and exercise with your furry friends!

Let’s rally behind Guide Dogs to help them continue their incredible work with these amazing dogs!

P.P.S. If you love this content, then check out my email newsletter- Therapy Unpacked. It's a must-have resource full of practical tips and tricks for allied health clinicians: chatterboxspeechpathology.ac-page.com/home

If you want to connect with more like-minded clinicians, be sure to join our Facebook group- Thriving Therapists for Kids: https://chatterboxsp.com.au/thriving-therapists-for-kids/

And finally, if you have families who are looking for tailored advice and support to help them navigate the challenges of raising happy and healthy children, please be sure to share my email newsletter- EmpowerED. It's designed to empower parents with valuable information and strategies to help them get the most out of therapy: https://chatterboxspeechpathology.ac-page.com/empowered