About CANINE THERAPY CORPS
Our Programs
CANINE THERAPY CORPS programs serve a wide variety of populations.
Advocate Lutheran General Children's Hospital
Outpatient Pediatric Therapy
Our volunteers work in the Yacktman Pavillion, providing animal-assisted therapy within outpatient pediatric therapy services. Volunteer teams work one-on-one with young children and their therapist. In this exciting program, the therapist works directly with the volunteer to identify goals within the speech, occupational and/or physical therapies for each young client.
Pediatric Oncology
CANINE THERAPY CORPS' only visitation program. Our volunteer teams visit children and their parents who are at the hospital for various cancer treatments or tests, providing pleasant companionship and a welcome distraction from the reality of their visits.
Hero and a patient enjoy each other at Advocate.
(courtesy of Birgit Mantilla)
Ariella Joy Frankel Keshet Day School
This program, located within the Sager-Solomon Schechter Day/Middle School in Northbrook serves children aged 5-13 years old on the autism spectrum, some with physical disabilities as well. Program goals include improved communication, sensory processing, and social skills.
Easter Seals Autism Therapeutic School
This pilot program, which started in January 2009, is designed to meet the varying needs of students on the autism spectrum. Goals include improving sensory processing skills, social and communication skills and memory, as well as activities for daily living and increased impulse control.
Haymarket Center
CANINE THERAPY CORPS teams work with chemically dependent men and women in rehabilitation, some of whom are in residence as an alternative to serving jail time. The program follows our award-winning curriculum developed to improve communication skills, anger management, self-esteem and self-awareness. During this eight-week program, participants work with the dogs on progressively advanced obedience and agility, culminating in a graduation where each participant demonstrates proficiency in dog handling. The program helps to break the cycle of crime, personal violence and neglect that often accompanies substance abuse.
From left: Tucker, P.Casso, Max, Scotch, Rou, Dakota, Zoe and D.Vinci
(courtesy of Joy Schmoll)
Heartland Alliance
Volunteers and dogs at this pilot program work with teenaged boys who have been diagnosed with mental illness and are temporarily residing at a group shelter for unaccompanied, immigrant minors. Program goals include improving communication and social skills, increasing impulse control and self-esteem and reducing depression and anxiety.
From left: Kate, Sadie Louise, Trudy Lou and Gus
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Our program at this prestigious facility works with clients of all ages who are recovering from head trauma, spinal cord injuries, burns and a variety of other catastrophic occurrences. Volunteer teams use agility equipment and other recreational techniques to motivate clients to regain mobility, strength, balance and the ability to lead independent, productive lives. This is the site of the published research study on the impact of AAT on ambulation.
From left: Jersey, Prada, Giza, Sherman, Baguette, Emma, Dubs and Turner
(courtesy of Joy Schmoll)
Rice Child and Family Center
This facility is home to 45 children, ages 7 - 14. The children have
been removed from their homes either because of abuse and/or neglect or
because their families are unable to manage their emotional and behavioral
issues. The program focuses on helping children learn to manage anger and
frustration, improve communication skills, develop trust and
self-confidence and learn to be a cooperative and contributing member of a
community.
From left: Spike, Ria, Spencer, Bayla and Walter
(courtesy of Birgit Mantilla)
Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital and Care Network
Volunteer teams work with clients of all ages recovering from head trauma, spinal cord injuries, or other body shattering injuries, many of which are a result of acts of violence. Using games and agility equipment, clients are able to regain strength, mobility, motivation and the skills to return to their families and jobs.
Swedish Covenant Hospital
This program began in April 2006 as part of the Planetree Initiative for patient centered care. CANINE THERAPY CORPS volunteers work with adult rehabilitation patients selected by the inpatient allied health supervisor from the general population of the inpatient census at the hospital. The goals of the program include increased functional balance, range of motion and upper extremity strength, increased mobility and endurance for increased independence, and to provide socialization opportunities while covering from physical trauma. In addition, the program provides exercises to address cognitive and visual perceptual tasks.
From left: Siena, Ida, Molly, Kali and Gemma
(courtesy of Joy Schmoll)
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Statistics
We have more than 65 active volunteer teams working in programs across the Chicagoland area. We provide an average of 4,000 hours of therapy AT NO CHARGE TO ANY CLIENT OR FACILITY. We have many more volunteers without dogs who assist in our programs, collect data on our successes, prepare our quarterly newsletter, recruit volunteers, plan special events and insure that CANINE THERAPY CORPS remains an innovative and exciting organization.