New York Therapy Animals

COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM includes Handler Workshops, Therapy Dog Training Classes, Team Assessments and Continuing Education Curriculum: New York Therapy Animals is the New York City affiliate of Intermountain Therapy Animals. We recruit, educate, train and mentor interested people along with their own well-mannered dog who meet the requirements for our practical application curriculum. Upon successful completion by the handler and the dog of our seven-week training program series, they become a trained, licensed and insured therapy dog team exclusive with our organization. The team has qualified for volunteer placement opportunities with our extensive healthcare and educational venues, and for wellness programs in universities, corporations, and other community events and activities. Our teaching methods promote healthy relationships through humane education and skilled teaching procedures.

THERAPY DOG TEAM PROGRAMS: New York Therapy Animals 160 therapy dog teams bring comfort, support and smiles to people within the NYC and Westchester communities in more than 250 venues. Our unique services benefit hospitals, healthcare, assisted living and Alzheimer's facilities, shelters, children and adults with special needs, socio-emotional mental health challenges, humane education components, and student, office, and corporate wellness stress-relief interactions. Environments and lives are transformed by sharing a distinctive, attentive and compassionate kind of healing through supportive therapy dog teams to people in need. Our animal-assisted interactive community programs serve people of all ages in various socio-economic matters in areas of physical, occupational, speech and psychotherapies and special education. New York Therapy Animals is the official NY affiliate for the Reading Education Assistance Dogs(R) R.E.A.D. (R) children's literacy support program in schools and libraries. This program is a successful motivator with a strong academic influence to touch-tackle the nervous aspects of reading. Striving readers read 1:1 to the non-judgmental therapy dog in a safe atmosphere with the assistance of their human partner who guides fluency and comprehension. Statistics show this program to be effective in improving students test scores, elevating reading levels, and enhancing social skills and self-confidence. Benefits of interacting with a therapy dog include lowering blood pressure and stress and anxiety levels with significant measurable feelings of relaxation.