OUR PROGRAMS

Canine Therapy Corps has approximately 50 active volunteer teams working in programs across the Chicago metropolitan area. Each year we provide over 1,400 hours of therapy to more than 5,000 individuals at no charge to and client or facility. We have many more volunteers without dogs who assist with our Certification test, evaluate our program efficacy, plan special events, and ensure that Canine Therapy Corps remains an innovative and exciting organization.

 
 

Rebekah Furgeson Recovery + Care Programs

The Rebekah Furgeson Recovery + Care Curriculum supports individuals’ efforts to heal and reclaim their lives.
This curriculum defines how Canine Therapy Corps serves people in these goal-directed, therapeutic programs.
Rebekah embraced the power of dogs to improve lives.

 
 
Therapy dog Waffles awaits instructions as volunteers and participants learn essential dog training skills from Program Leader Emily Stoddard

Therapy dog Waffles awaits instructions as volunteers and participants learn essential dog training skills from Program Leader Emily Stoddard

HAYMArket CENTER

Canine Therapy Corps teams work with chemically dependent individuals 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 six-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.

Therapy dog Swindle works with veterans during this ten-week program.

Therapy dog Swindle works with veterans during this ten-week program.

JESSE BROWN VA MEDICAL CENTER

This psychosocial program is for veterans being treated for a myriad of mental illnesses, such as chronic post-traumatic stress disorder, severe depression, and other mental illnesses, at the hospital's outpatient psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery center. Simply stated, participants' work with our dogs is empowering. There are infinite parallels between successful dog handling and coping with life's peaks and valleys. In order to build a strong bond with a dog, one must be patient, consistent, flexible, and perseverant, but also caring, understanding, respectful, and fair. Each participant works with one therapy dog throughout the curriculum, using obedience and agility exercises, as well as trick training, to cultivate their relationship. Typically, when participants begin, they do not fully comprehend the inextricable link between their own behavior and therapy dog compliance. As the curriculum progresses, so, too, does participant impulse control, confidence, and perspective - key recovery components.

Therapy dog Rocko eagerly awaits instruction from participants.

Therapy dog Rocko eagerly awaits instruction from participants.

LAWRENCE HALL

Canine Therapy Corps teams work with adolescents and teens with severe emotional and behavioral problems at this not-for-profit child welfare agency. The program follows our award-winning curriculum developed to improve communication skills, anger management, self-esteem and self-awareness. During this six-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.

Lydia Home

Canine Therapy Corps teams work with children ages 6-15 for this psychosocial program. These children are DCFS youth in care living in a residential treatment program that receive intensive behavioral and emotional therapy to be able to successfully reintegrate into a positive family environment. Similar to our UCAN and Lawrence Hall programs, this 6-week program follows a curriculum where participants work to improve communication skills, anger management, self-esteem and self-awareness. Participants work with the dogs on progressively advanced obedience and agility, culminating in a graduation where each participant demonstrates proficiency in dog handling.

Therapy dog Rocko helps participants learn impulse control, teamwork, self-esteem, and much more.

sonia shankman orthogenic school

This psychosocial program, Canine Therapy Corps teams serve children and adolescents facing emotional challenges and/or autism. The OSchool offers students a nurturing, supportive atmosphere, allowing them to break the cycle of repeated hospitalizations and preparing them to successfully transition to their home schools or colleges. During this 6-week program, students learn teamwork, dog handling, self-esteem, impulse control, and agility.

PHYSICAL THERAPY PROGRAMS

 
Billy works with Anna in therapy at Advocate's Pediatric Outpatient Therapy program. (Photo courtesy of Joy Schmoll)

Billy works with Anna in therapy at Advocate's Pediatric Outpatient Therapy program. (Photo courtesy of Joy Schmoll)

ADVOCATE 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.

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Our program at this prestigious facility (formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) 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 improve mobility, strength, balance and the ability to lead independent, productive lives. This is the site of the published research study on the impact of animal-assisted therapy on ambulation.

Caeli retrieves a ball for her patient. (photo courtesy of Lumen Photography)

SWEDISH 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 recovering from physical trauma. In addition, the program provides exercises to address cognitive and visual perceptual tasks.

 

AUTISM PROGRAMS

 
 
An Easter Seals student pets therapy dog Buddy (photo courtesy of Joy Schmoll)

An Easter Seals student pets therapy dog Buddy (photo courtesy of Joy Schmoll)

EASTERSEALS ACADEMY

This 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. CTCorps is proud to have developed a portfolio of proprietary materials for use in our programs for children with autism and other cognitive and developmental delays.

 

VISITATION PROGRAMS

 
 
Olive is one of many dogs who help children reduce anxiety while waiting for their appointments at Chicago Children's Advocacy Center.

Olive is one of many dogs who help children reduce anxiety while waiting for their appointments at Chicago Children's Advocacy Center.

CHICAGO CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER

Chicago Children's Advocacy Center unites public, private, and community partners to ensure the health, safety, recovery, and well-being of abused children and provides a fully integrated approach to dealing with abuse, making reporting and treatment as simple as possible for victims. Our volunteers visit with children, who have suffered sexual abuse and assault, to reduce stress and anxiety while they await appointments with treating professionals.

Rudy worked with teenage boys at Heartland Alliance's Specialized Care for Immigrant Youth program.

Rudy worked with teenage boys at Heartland Alliance's Specialized Care for Immigrant Youth program.

HEARTLAND ALLIANCE

Therapy dogs visit with teenaged boys, temporarily residing at a group shelter for unaccompanied, immigrant minors, awaiting repatriation or reunification with their families. Some were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental and behavioral challenges, while others had been in juvenile detention facilities for delinquent or criminal behavior.  Canine Therapy Corps dog teams provide a welcome respite for the boys while they are away from their families, giving them a sense of comfort and friendship.  The boys also learn dog handling skills and have an opportunity to practice their English-language skills with our volunteer teams, learning new vocabulary in a fun and practical way.

Therapy dog Lexi visits with a patient at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Therapy dog Lexi visits with a patient at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Volunteer teams visit inpatients and outpatients in medical, oncology, and neuro/ortho/spine departments.  Some of these patients have been hospitalized or even bedridden for weeks or months, and the presence of a dog brings great comfort to these individuals during a very trying time in their lives.  In 2019, CTCorps therapy dog teams visited 1,241 patients in this facility. We regularly visit a number of floors at the facility, and in addition we accommodate special visits requested by family members, social workers, and the patients themselves.  We have often provided companionship during the last days and hours of patients’ lives.