Dog Gone Visiting Participation/Team

Dog Gone Visiting is always looking for people interested in participating actively as a registered Pet Partner and giving others positive animal-child experiences and interactions. Additionally, this group is well suited for those individuals who may be seeking an avenue to share in their lives and give back to their community in a program of this nature. The experiences provide happiness for the Teams as well as the receivers of such kindness and spirit. A variety of settings are used including visits to schools, hospitals, clinics, homes, child centers and others. All types of domestic animals are eligible for the program, provided they meet the Standards established by the Delta Society’s Pet Partners team training courses and evaluations. These trainings and evaluations are held regularly in Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire for those in the local area. Please visit the Delta Society Pet Partners web site specifically Pet Partners Team training activities found by clicking here.

Dog Gone Visiting Pet Partner Team Qualities

Dog Gone Visiting is looking for Pet Partners and their pets that appreciate fully the human-animal bond and are willing to devote their time to share this passion with children of all ages, especially those with special needs. A registered Delta Society Pet Partners team must successfully complete health and temperament screening and volunteer training. They must continue to meet the Guidelines established by the Delta Society Pet Partners program be energetic, respectful of others, patient and reliable.

"The best and most beautiful things in life cannot be seen or heard, they must be felt within the heart" ~ Helen Keller

Becoming a Dog Gone Visiting Pet Partner Team Member

The Delta Society Pet Partners Team registration process includes the following requirements:

• Submit the Delta Society Registration Packet,
• Get an up to date Pet Health screening by your veterinarian,
• Complete either the Home Study course or attend a one-day workshop taught by a licensed Delta Society instructor. (Refer to Links for local instructors and trainings)
• Achieve success in the Pet Partners Team Evaluation administered by a licensed Delta Society Team Evaluator (see Links for local evaluators).
• Pay fee to Delta Society which includes a 2 year membership to the Delta Society, primary liability insurance for the volunteer team, ID tags for handler and animal, continuing education about AAA/T skills through the quarterly newsletter Interactions.

For more comprehensive information about membership into Delta Society Pet Partners program, please link to the Delta Society web site, specifically to the Pet Partners program found by clicking here.

I, Sue Drouin, have been a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) for 20 years working with children who have significant social, communicative, and learning challenges. This is private services performed most frequently in the individual's home, yet I also practice in a variety of school based settings. Personally, I additionally share a passion for animals and have always sought a means to integrate this into my work. Given the willingness and interest of some families and that I most frequently carry out my professional work directly within client homes, I finally began to do just that! I worked toward including whatever live animals we were sharing our home with in my daily interactions with the children. Whether it was a new kitten, a bunny, or a turtle we found in the yard, I found a way to include it for a month of themed activities. Each time I included a live pet, the child’s reactions were priceless - perhaps revealing an inner connection with their own personal world. A live snail, a new goldfish, the busy hamster all brought more interest and excitement to the table than an expensive battery operated noisy toy. The lessons would strive to teach the basic information about the creatures such as where they lived, what they ate, how they spend their days, and what is special about them, all individualized to facilitate the social and communication goals each child had. I found that having a pet with me changes the entire therapy dynamic in a natural way to facilitate a shared love, comfort, excitement, understanding, and most undoubtedly, peacefulness beyond words. Currently, my private Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) practice, CommuniK-9, will continue to integrate the use of pets as appropriate and described within the Animal-Assisted Therapy and Speech- Language Pathology guidelines combined. Refer to The Delta Society for extensive information about Animal-Assisted Therapy and Animal-Assisted Activities.   

As a result of the ultimate satisfaction I not only observed in each and every individual I engaged in Animal-Assisted/SLP Therapy Sessions, I myself felt a satisfaction and pleasure beyond compare. This then sparked my enthusiasm to broaden the experience to all I could, not only those I serve in my practice. Thus, Dog Gone Visiting has evolved! I could not be happier to now have integrated both of my passions, supporting chldren’s ability to engage and communicate via SLP and providing them with interpersonal relationships with my pets through AAT. I am devoted to contributing positive experiences into my work and community, especially when such an overall need is so apparent in our society. So, I set forth on these venture with my companions close-by and always a comfort to me in this undertaking.

Fondly,
Sue Drouin, Founder

"No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as much as the dog does." ~ Christopher Morley

Animal-Assisted Activities 

According to the Standards of Practice in Animal-Assisted Activities and Animal–Assisted Therapy (Delta Society, 1996),“The goal of Animal-Assisted Activities is to provide opportunities for motivational, educational, and or recreational benefits to enhance quality of life. Animal-Assisted Activities are delivered in a variety of environments by a specially trained professional, paraprofessional, and/or volunteer in association with animals that meet specific criteria.” These activities are more general in nature and are not supervised by a licensed therapist. They may be indoor and out of door activities such as including the pets in physical play, pretend play, shared time with books, and include dialogue about friendship, feelings and social skills. The pets are excellent listeners and make wonderful conversational partners for even the youngest child.

As a part of all Dog Gone Visiting programs, the initial meeting with an individual or a  group of children does not include the pets. This time is used to focus on providing important information about dog safety, reviewing the idea of mutual respect between pet and child, and to answer any questions or concerns the participants may have. This is considered a necessary aspect of the program for all of the Pet-Partner teams. We feel it essential for the visited children to understand that our Dog Gone Visiting dogs have been specially trained to be well behaved and accepting of the occasional less than gentle advances of eager children. Our dogs have been desensitized to loud sounds, groups and busy environments. They are comfortable in many settings and anticipate being approached with enthusiasm. This is not the case with many family and neighborhood dogs. We want the children to understand this fact and not incorrectly assume that all dogs are approachable and ready for their attention. As part of the program, children are taught how to “read” a dog’s signals (what her nonverbal postures mean), and how to safely greet a dog. Tips are also provided on what not to do when interacting with even familiar pets (let sleeping dogs lie) and how to best respond if you are being approached by an unfamiliar or aggressive dog. Through role- playing, key visuals and handouts, children become “Dog Gone Ready” for the future visit with the animals teams. Subsequent visits begin with warm greetings and introductions, a review of dog safety, animal inspired songs, poems, and stories. Each Dog Gone Visiting team has a special blanket on which the time is shared with the pet. Following a pre determined number of visits, children are given a souvenir certificate that acknowledges the time they shared with their Pet- Partner.

Associated Programs by Team Founder-Animal Assisted Therapy:

According to the Standards of Practice in Animal-Assisted Activities and Animal–Assisted Therapy (Delta Society, 1996), “Animal-Assisted Therapy is defined as the following:

• Goal-directed intervention in which an animal meeting specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process,
• Delivered and/or directed by a health or human service provider working within the scope of his/her profession and training,
• Designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional, and /or cognitive functioning,
• Provided in a variety of settings  (as noted above),
• Conducted in a group or individual contexts and is
• Documented and evaluated.” (using specific standards)

Dog Gone Visiting does offer animal experiences and opportunities yet does not offer Animal-Assisted Therapy. Sue Drouin’s SLP private practice does incorporate the use of AAT into interventions if deemed appropriate. Please see CommuniK-9 for more information on this program. In addition, please visit the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) for further information regarding educational requirements for licensed Speech-Language Pathology at asha.org

"My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am." ~ Unknown

For More Information

Email Dog Gone Visiting for more information about becoming a Dog Gone Visiting member or if you are interested in inviting a Dog Gone Visiting team to your establishment or organization. For more information on the Dog Gone Reading program, please click here. Also email Dog Gone Visiting for information on Dog Gone Reading. Email CommuniK-9 for Speech-Language Pathology and Animal Assisted Therapy information.

Articles about the benefits of Pet Partner Teams

To be added soon.

Dog Gone News

Soon to be launched!
Dog Gone Reading is a new and exciting associate program of Dog Gone Visiting. Dog Gone Reading brings literacy skills to life by pairing specialty trained therapy pets with children for shared literacy based activities. Reading aloud is often difficult for children with or without literacy challenges. TheraPets offer a peaceful, non critical atmosphere for reading aloud that support development of the child’s self confidence when reading which expands their interest and desire to flourish in their love of reading. This is a PAWSitivlely rewarding experience for children and Pat Partner teams alike.

Look for doggonereading.com online soon with specific information about membership, requirements and activities.

Non-Profit Status
Dog Gone Visiting’s goal is to be established as a non profit group in 2006. Committed individuals are needed to be on the board of directors in various capacities. If you are interested in supporting this organization in this way, please do share your talents and business expertise by contacting us below.