Canine-Assisted Interventions

Based on the latest scientific research, John-Tyler Binfet and Elizabeth Kjellstrand Hartwig have produced a unique and important guide to the implementation of canine-assisted interventions in settings ranging from classrooms and retirement facilities to mental health clinics and college campuses. The book is a veritable how-to manual, covering topics such as the selection and training of handlers and dogs, the assessment of dog/handler team effectiveness, and therapy animal welfare. This book is a must-read for anyone involved with animal-assisted intervention programs. - Hal Herzog, PhD, author of Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It's So Hard to Think Straight About Animals, USA Drawing on a wealth of experience, John-Tyler Binfet and Elizabeth Kjellstrand Hartwig provide a comprehensive review of what is known about canine-assisted interventions (CAIs) and give essential information on best practice and how to credential therapy dog teams, ensuring the wellbeing of the dogs. CAI organizations and those interested in becoming a CAI team must read this book. - Anthony L. Podberscek, editor in chief, Anthrozooes, Australia Canine-Assisted Interventions is an essential guide to all those involved in delivering and researching canine-assisted interventions. It provides evidence-based guidelines for professional practice, building upon current international research evidence and professional practice guides. The combination of up-to-date scientific evidence on canine-assisted intervention and professional experience has led to a sourcebook that every practitioner involved in canine-assisted intervention should use. Canine-assisted intervention practice is growing rapidly around the world, and this book provides a much-needed guide to credentialing teams and ensuring our practice benefits our human clients while ensuring the welfare of the dogs we work with. - Jo Williams, professor of applied developmental psychology, University of Edinburgh, UK In Canine-Assisted Interventions, John-Tyler Binfet and Elizabeth Kjellstrand Hartwig bring together a groundbreaking, thorough, and detailed guide to the assessment and credentialing of dog and handler teams. This long overdue resource is a much needed and indispensable resource for individuals and organizations engaged in the work of animal-assisted interventions. Binfet and Hartwig articulate a clear and thorough evidence-based approach to animal-assisted intervention that will significantly advance this growing field of research and practice. - James Gillett, associate dean of research, McMaster University, Canada