Jenny Robinson LEI 4724

Activity Title: Find the Treat

Source: Blackman, D. (2015, December 17). Games to Play with Your Dog. Retrieved
February 11, 2016, from http://dogplay.com/Activities/games.html
Equipment: Dog treats, a large room or outdoor area, and a therapy dog.
Activity Description: Begin with giving the dog the down command and stay. Proceed to
hide treats in a variety of places out of the dogs immediate vision field. Come back to the
dog and say, Go and the dog will then proceed to find the treats.
Leadership Considerations: The CTRS should contact a reputable organization to
arrange for a therapy dog (such as the Delta Society, now called Pet Partners) if he or she
does not have experience in therapeutic use of animals. The dog must under control at all
times. The dog should be up to date on all vaccinations, parasite prevention and have
passed the AKCs Canine Good Citizenship test as well as a temperament test. A first aid
kit should be available. The CTRS should have the number of the nearest veterinary
hospital and have first aid training.
Adaptations: Participants that are incarcerated: The first dog training in a prison was
created by Sister Pauline Quinn in 1981 who stated dogs love us unconditionally, and
people need thatespecially people who are wounded, they need to feel loved. So the
dog is very much a healing tool (Neese, 2015). Pairing people that are incarcerated with
dogs that need to be trained is a fairly new method that has been gaining momentum for
the past thirty years. This has created a mutually beneficial relationship between the
prisoner and the dog as well as helping the community. According to Neese, (2015)
inmates stay with abandoned, abused and neglected dogs, caring for them and teaching
them skills the dogs will use, such as ones that can help people who use wheelchairs.
Some inmates receive canine therapy, where they can talk with a psychologist while a
dog is by their side. Harkrader, Burke & Owens (2004) found that pairing inmates with
dogs that need to be trained gave the inmates a renewed sense of purpose in life and
have broken the pattern of loneliness and despair that permeate throughout...It also
provides inmates with excellent training they can use to seek employment once they
leave The adaptation here is that the prisoners train the dog to do the activity as well
as the down and stay commands.
Participants in a long-term care facility: According to Ernst (2014) there are
cardiovascular, psychological and cognitive benefits to animal assisted therapy in long
term care facilities. Ernst (2014) reports that dog companionship reduces loneliness,
depression and social isolation just by petting the dogs and visiting dogs increase verbal
interaction with residents. Ernst (2014) stresses the dog must be groomed and be
appropriate for the facility. The treats can be hidden in different places where residents
can interact with the dog. The residents should be put into small groups in arranged

seating so that they receive individual time with the dog and can comment and reminisce
with each other. (Datillo & McKenney, 2000)
Adaptations References:
Blackman, D. (2015, December 17). Games to Play with Your Dog. Retrieved February
11, 2016, from http://dogplay.com/Activities/games.html
Dattilo, J., & McKenney, A. (2000). Facilitation techniques in therapeutic recreation.
State College, PA: Venture.
Ernst, L. (2014, October). Animal-Assisted Therapy: An Exploration of Its History,
Healing Benefits, and How Skilled Nursing Facilities Can Set Up Programs.
Retrieved February 12, 2016, from
http://www.annalsoflongtermcare.com/article/animal-assisted-therapyexploration-its-history-healing-benefits-and-how-skilled-nursing
Harkrader, T, Burke, T.W, & Owen, S.S. (2004, April 1). Pound Puppies: The
Rehabilitative Uses of Dogs in Correctional Facilities. Corrections Today.
Neese, B. (2015, October 15). How Dog Training is Affecting Prison Rehabilitation.
Retrieved February 11, 2016, from http://online.alvernia.edu/how-dog-training-isaffecting-prison-rehabilitation/