Download a brochure about the Playful Pooch Program.

The Playful Pooch Program is designed to provide canine-assisted play therapy services to children and families and to offer training in the use of canines in play therapy to mental health professionals. Canine-Assisted Play Therapy is a combination of the well-established fields of Animal Assisted Therapy and Play Therapy. Playful child-canine interactions are systematically used to make progress toward therapeutic goals. Substantial research has clearly demonstrated the importance of the human-animal bond as well as the value of properly trained animals for treating children with a wide range of difficulties. The Playful Pooch Program is just one part of the child’s overall treatment, but it can facilitate progress on many dimensions.


Every effort is made to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the Playful Pooch Program. Only properly trained dogs are used, and all interactions with children are completely supervised. Parents or caregivers should discuss with their therapist any pet allergies or prior negative experiences with animals that the child may have had. This program is completely voluntary. In the very unlikely event of scratches or other injuries, staff will immediately inform parents and apply first aid. To date, the program has run successfully with no negative incidents.


We prepare children in advance of meeting the therapy dog so they know what to expect and how to greet the dog safely. We teach children some simple canine “body language,“ basic commands, how to give the dog adequate space when interacting, and how to use treats safely. We also give the child suggestions and reminders as they are meeting and interacting with the dog. Any behaviors by the child or the dog that could lead to injury are stopped immediately and a different activity is used.

There are many potential benefits of Canine-Assisted Play Therapy. Your therapist will discuss possible advantages for your child when recommending this program. Some of the common benefits are listed below.

• Helps children open up quickly, capitalizing on the natural interest that children have in animals
• Fosters healthy attachment relationships, not only with the dog, but also with people
• Develops children’s empathy, sharing, and care-giving capabilities
• Builds children’s skills and confidence in themselves
• Allows children to experience unconditional acceptance; therapy dogs quickly communicate how special they think the children are in a way that children understand
• Helps children share traumatic experiences in an emotionally safe way
• Teaches children appropriate behaviors with animals, and consequently, with other children and people
• Prepares children for encounters with unfamiliar dogs in public
• Helps children become more motivated for exercise and fitness
• Helps calm children emotionally and physiologically; reduces anxieties and fears
• Provides a unique opportunity for children to overcome fear of dogs
• Helps children who have been abused, neglected, or rejected find new hope

Canines are playful, and children usually are very motivated to play with them--both speak the “language” of play.

I could never take dogs for granted. . . . They were just animals, after all, and it seemed to me that their main preoccupation ought to be in seeking food and protection; instead they dispensed a flow of affection and loyalty which appeared to be limitless.
         --James Herriot, veterinarian & author

A number of different activities and interactions are used to accomplish therapeutic goals. Some of the options are listed below.

• Children help train the dog, learning basic obedience commands. They also can help teach the dog new tricks.
• Children learn how to stay safe with dogs as well as how to keep the dog safe.
• Children take part in grooming and caring for the dog, learning appropriate touch and sensitivity to the dog’s signals. This can help calm both the child and the dog.
• Children learn agility activities, such as running a small obstacle course with the dog.
• When the therapy dog is present as a part of the playroom, children may involve it in some of their imaginary play.
• Children might communicate their thoughts and feelings to the dog, either directly by telling the dog, or indirectly by stories or artwork involving the dog.
• Children engage in problem-solving by helping the dog “resolve” problems that might be similar to the child’s.
• Children learn to self-regulate their emotions and behaviors as they interact with the dog. They learn responsibility for the safety and enjoyment of all involved.
• Children play a variety of games with the dog, designed to help the child with various problems or to build the child’s confidence.

All the interactions are kept playful to maintain a climate of emotional safety for the child. Much therapy work can occur in this environment. Sometimes the children initiate the activities with the canine, and at other times, the therapist suggests brief activities tailored to the child’s personality, strengths, and needs. Children are never asked to do something if they feel uncomfortable with it.

Risë VanFleet, Ph.D., RPT-S is a licensed psychologist and registered play therapist-supervisor with 35 years of clinical and leadership experience in a variety of settings. She is the president of the Family Enhancement & Play Therapy Center, Inc. in Boiling Springs, PA. She is the clinical consultant for the Beech Street Program. Dr. VanFleet is the founder of the International Collaborative on Play Therapy and a Past President/Board Chair of the Association for Play Therapy. She has authored several books on filial/family therapy, numerous chapters on play therapy, and is featured on 3 video workshops. Risë has trained thousands worldwide, and she has received 2 prestigious national awards for her work. She is also the author of Play Therapy for Kids and Canines: Benefits for Children’s Developmental and Psychosocial Health (due out in 2007). She is an Approved Evaluator with the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizenâ Program, a full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and a professional affiliate of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and the International Society for Anthrozoology. She is responsible for the Playful Pooch Program and offers training programs in Canine-Assisted Play Therapy. She is also involved in ongoing research on the use of animals in conjunction with therapy.

Kirrie is a trained play therapy dog. She is a 3-year-old rescued border collie/beagle mix. She is very playful and she truly enjoys being with children and families.