 
This section describes training programs and workshops for
professionals who wish to learn about the involvement of dogs
in play therapy. Trainings are designed for mental health professionals
who wish to use their own dogs in their work, as well as for
therapy dog handlers and other canine professionals who wish
to collaborate with play therapists to provide canine-assisted
play therapy.
Information about dog training and canine
behavior consulting services is listed under Services on this
website. The information below is about training programs for
professionals wishing to involve their dogs in play therapy
work with children
and families.
Animal-Assisted
Play Therapy: Theory, Research, & Practice (USA)
presented by The Family Enhancement & Play
Therapy Center in conjunction with the Playful Pooch Program
with
Risë VanFleet, Ph.D., RPT-S
Tracie Faa-Thompson, MA, AASW, PGdipNDPT
Workshop
Dates 2011
Register Early! This
workshop sells out quickly!
May 17-20, 2011 ~ Boiling Springs,
PA
Download
the Brochure (PDF).
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON-LINE.
Workshop Location
The workshop will be held in Boiling Springs, PA. Lodging
and travel information will be provided with confirmations.
The workshop fees include a notebook of
handouts, continental breakfast, and snacks throughout the training.
Workshop Description
This training is designed for child and family
therapists who wish to train and work with therapy animals
to enhance their play therapy and other child/family work.
The workshop provides an overview of the human-animal bond
literature, animal-assisted therapy, research, and the integration
of animal-assisted therapy with play therapy. Emphasis will
be placed on dogs, with a special segment on horses. Participants
learn how to select and train dogs for this work, as well
as why positive, behavioral, and relationship-oriented methods
of training are especially useful when involving dogs in
child therapy. Emphasis is on the use of child-canine play
interactions for therapeutic benefit. Many specific canine-assisted
play therapy interventions are covered, including the involvement
of dogs with both nondirective and directive play therapy
and ways to incorporate families. Types of child/family problems
include anxiety and perfectionism, oppositional behaviors,
attention deficits, divorce, developmental delays, trauma,
attachment problems, grief, behavior/conduct problems, chronic
medical illness, and social anxieties. Working with dogs
to help children in foster and residential placements is
highlighted as well.
The equine segment introduces participants
to different models of equine assisted therapy, some of
which do not require therapists to have horses of their own.
The
training highlights similarities in the relationship-oriented
approach with both canines and equines, and the value of
play.
The workshop gives participants a chance
to explore this exciting, emerging field and learn how to
develop,
implement, and research their own programs. Ideas on working
collaboratively with therapy dog handlers and trainers,
as well as equine specialists, are included. Lecture material
is illustrated with video examples, live demonstrations,
and skills practice. The workshop is limited to 10-12 participants.
This training is for people only. Therapy dogs will be
present
and available for demonstrations and practice segments.
Horses will also be involved in the equine segment.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to…
Prerequisites
Participants should have prior experience conducting play therapy, including
familiarity with both nondirective (child-centered) play therapy and directive
play therapy approaches. They should also be familiar with behaviorism and
appreciate the importance of the family system. They should also be comfortable
around dogs. If you have questions about these prerequisites, please contact
Dr. VanFleet. Canine/equine professionals wishing to attend should contact
Dr. VanFleet for ways to meet these prerequisites.
Who Should Attend
This training is for psychologists, social workers, counselors,
psychiatrists, family therapists, school counselors, and
other experienced mental health,
medical, or educational professionals who work with children and families
and who have an interest in the involvement of canines in play therapy. Canine
and equine professionals who meet the prerequisites are also welcomed.
Special Needs
We are committed to making workshops accessible to everyone.
Please contact us if you have special needs
Schedule
The training will run from 8:30 to 5:30 each day. The training
has 26 actual training hours.
Continuing Education
The Family Enhancement & Play Therapy Center is approved
by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing
education for psychologists. The FEAPT Center maintains responsibility
for this program and its contents. The Family Enhancement & Play
Therapy Center is approved by the National Board of Certified
Counselors (5732) to offer continuing education credits to
counselors. The FEAPT Center follows all CE guidelines. It
is also an Association for Play Therapy (APT) Approved Provider
95-014. This program has been approved by a number of state
social work boards (please contact us for this info). 26
continuing education credits will be awarded to participants
who attend the entire training. Partial credit cannot be
given. No exceptions can be made to this policy.
Dress
The training will involve regular work with dogs & a short time with horses
(either outside or in a barn environment). Please dress very comfortably with
this in mind. The
Human and Animal Presenters…
 |
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
a Past President/Board Chair of the Association for
Play Therapy. She has authored numerous books and chapters
on play therapy and Filial Therapy, and is featured
on 4 DVDs. Risë has trained thousands worldwide,
and she has received 6 prestigious awards for her training
and writing. Dr. VanFleet is the author of the groundbreaking
and award-winning book, Play
Therapy with Kids & Canines,
and articles and chapters on the subject. She is an
Approved Evaluator with the American Kennel Club’s
Canine Good Citizen? Program, a full member of the
Association of Pet Dog Trainers , the Dog Writers Association
of America, and the International Society for Anthrozoology.
She is the Director of the Playful Pooch Program. She
is also involved in ongoing research on animals involved
in therapy
|
Kirrie is
a trained play therapy dog. She is a 6-year-old rescued
Border Collie mix. Kirrie will assist with the workshop,
and other dogs will be available for work during the
training as well.
|
|
 Tracie Faa-Thompson, MA, AASW, PGdipNDPT joins
us from the UK as a copresenter of this workshop. She is
a specialist social worker in the adoption field and a
BAPT registered Non-Directive Play Therapist. She uses
a mix of individual, filial and group filial therapy methods
in her work. Tracie is a practice teacher of social work
students and a trainer in attachment theory and life story
work. Her first career was working with young horses, and
she was often their first experience of a rider. Interested
in the Relationship and Partnership approach to working
with horses, Tracie is a member of the Classical Riding
Club, EAGALA, and Natural Horse People. For over 20 years
she has been Chair of her local Riding for the Disabled
branch. She also has 5 dogs. Tracie will show us ways of
incorporating horses into play therapy work, even if you
don't have horses of your own. Her relationship-oriented
approach with horses closely matches the philosophy and
practices advocated with dogs in this program, as well.
|
|
Sailor is an 11-year-old
Gypsy Vanner. His motto in life is that strangers are friends
he hasn't met yet! DVD clips of Sailor's work will be shown
during the training, and other horses will be available
for demonstrations. |
Fees
Extra Early Bird fee: $560 (fully
paid by 10/15/10)
Early Bird fee: $635 (paid Oct 16 - Feb 28, 2011)
Regular fee: $715 (after March 1, 2011)
Registration fees include workshop handouts
and materials, continental breakfast, light lunch, and beverages. Cancellation Policy:
Of the total paid, $125 is considered a nonrefundable
deposit to hold your seat.
Registrations are accepted on a first-come-first-served
basis. Fees include 26 hours of training, handout book,
light refreshments. Lunches and dinners are on your own.
The
$125 deposit is nonrefundable. Written cancellations
received 12 weeks prior to the training
will receive a full refund of the balance of the fees.
Cancellations received within 12 weeks of the training
are subject to an additional $100 processing fee, with
the remainder being refunded.
We regret that no refunds
can be given within the 6 weeks preceding the training.
When someone
from the waiting list can substitute, credit toward
future trainings may be given. To Register...
Please
register using our online store.
or download
the full brochure and submit the registration form that is on it.  back
to top
Animal-Assisted
Play Therapy (UK)
The Family Enhancement & Play Therapy
Center in conjunction with the Playful Pooch Program present:
Animal-Assisted Play Therapy: Theory, Research, & Practice
with
Risë VanFleet, Ph.D., RPT-S
Tracie Faa-Thompson, MA, AASW, PGdipNDPT
Download
the Brochure.
CLICK
HERE TO REGISTER ON-LINE.
Workshop Dates 2010
Register Early! This workshop
sells out quickly!
2-5 November 2010 ~ Berwick upon Tweed,
England
Workshop Location
The workshop will be held near Berwick upon Tweed in northern England. Lodging
and travel information will be provided with confirmations. The workshop
fees include a notebook of handouts, continental breakfast, and a light lunch
each day.
Workshop Description
This training is designed for child and family therapists
who wish to train and work with therapy animals to enhance
their play therapy and other child/family
work. The workshop provides an overview of the human-animal bond literature,
animal-assisted therapy, research, and the integration of animal-assisted
therapy with play therapy. Emphasis will be placed on dogs, with a special
segment on horses. Participants learn how to select and train dogs for
this work, as well as why positive, behavioral, and relationship-oriented
methods
of training are especially useful when involving dogs in child therapy.
Emphasis is on the use of child-canine play interactions
for therapeutic benefit.
Many specific canine-assisted play therapy interventions are covered, including
the involvement of dogs with both nondirective and directive play therapy
and ways to incorporate families. Types of child/family problems include
anxiety and perfectionism, oppositional behaviors, attention deficits,
divorce, developmental delays, trauma, attachment problems,
grief, behavior/conduct
problems, chronic medical illness, and social anxieties. Working with dogs
to help children in foster and residential placements is highlighted as
well.
The equine segment introduces participants
to different models of equine assisted therapy, some of which
do not
require therapists to have horses
of their own.
The training highlights similarities in the relationship-oriented approach
with both canines and equines. The workshop gives participants a chance
to explore this exciting, emerging field and learn how to develop,
implement,
and research their own programs. Ideas on working collaboratively with
therapy dog handlers and trainers, as well as equine specialists,
are included. Lecture
material is illustrated with video examples, live demonstrations, and skills
practice. The workshop is limited to 10-12 participants. This training
is for people only. Therapy dogs will be present and available
for demonstrations
and practice segments. Horses will also be involved in the equine segment.
Learning Objectives
Participants in this training will be able to…
-
describe research-based benefits of the
human-animal bond for adults and children.
-
list at least 4 advantages of using
canines in play therapy with children.
-
define “animal assisted therapy” and “pet
play therapy.”
-
describe why positive dog training methods
are essential in canine-assisted play therapy.
-
understand basic classical conditioning
and operant conditioning used in positive dog training.
-
identify their own dogs’ natural
play tendencies that could be incorporated into play
therapy.
-
protect themselves from the potential
risks involved in this type of work.
-
conduct at least 5 specific canine-assisted
play therapy interventions for identified problems.
-
explain the benefits of canine-assisted
play therapy for children with attachment disruptions.
-
identify at least two different
ways to incorporate horses with play therapy work.
-
describe the EAGALA model
and how it can be used with play therapy.
-
identify state-of-the-art resources for
their own professional development and credentialing
in this field.
Prerequisites
Participants should have prior experience conducting play therapy, including
familiarity with both nondirective (child-centered) play therapy and directive
play therapy approaches. They should also be familiar with behaviorism and
appreciate the importance of the family system. They should also be comfortable
around dogs. If you have questions about these prerequisites, please contact
Dr. VanFleet. Canine professionals wishing to attend should contact Dr. VanFleet
for ways to meet these prerequisites.
Who Should Attend
This training is for psychologists, social workers, counselors, psychiatrists,
family therapists, school counselors, and other experienced mental health,
medical, or educational professionals who work with children and families
and who have an interest in the use of canines in play therapy. Canine and
equine professionals who meet the prerequisites are also welcomed.
Special Needs
We are committed to making workshops accessible to everyone. Please contact
us if you have special needs.
Schedule
The training will run from 8:30 to 5:30 each day.
The training has 26 actual training hours.
Continuing Education
The Family Enhancement & Play Therapy Center is approved by the American
Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.
The FEAPT Center maintains responsibility for this program and its contents.
The Family Enhancement & Play Therapy Center is approved by the National
Board of Certified Counselors (5732) to offer continuing education credits
to counselors. The FEAPT Center follows all CE guidelines. It is also an Association
for Play Therapy (APT) Approved Provider 95-014. This program has been approved
by a number of state social work boards (please contact us for this info).
26 continuing education credits will be awarded to participants who attend
the entire training. Partial credit cannot be given. No exceptions can be made
to this policy. CPD credits are generally accepted in the UK, but check with
your credentialing board to be sure! Presenters
|
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 and 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, many chapters on play
therapy, and is featured on 4 DVD workshops. Risë has
trained thousands worldwide, and she has received 4
prestigious national awards for her work. She is also
the author of the groundbreaking book, Play
Therapy with Kids & Canines: Benefits for Children’s
Developmental and Psychosocial Health,
and articles and chapters on the subject. The book
has received excellent reviews (e.g., by the American
Psychological Association), and was the winner of the
Planet Dog Foundation’s Sit. Speak. Act. Canine
Service Award as judged and awarded by the Dog Writers
Association of America. Articles written by Dr. VanFleet
have also been finalists in the 2008 and 2009 competitions.
She is a regular contributor to The Chronicle of
the Dog. Risë is an Approved Evaluator with
the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen®
Program, a full member of the Association of Pet Dog
Trainers, the Dog Writers Association of America, and
the International Society for Anthrozoölogy. 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 involvement
of animals in conjunction with therapy.
|
Kirrie is
a trained play therapy dog. She is a 6-year-old rescued
Border Collie mix. She is very playful and she truly
enjoys being with children and families. Kirrie and other
dogs will assist with this training.
|
|
Tracie Faa-Thompson,
MA, AASW, PGdipNDPT is a specialist social worker
in the adoption field and a BAPT registered Non-Directive
Play Therapist. She uses
a mix of individual, filial and group filial therapy methods
in her work. Tracie is a practice teacher of social work
students and a trainer in attachment theory and life story
work. Her first career was working with young horses, and
she was often their first experience of a rider. Interested
in the Relationship and Partnership approach to working
with horses, Tracie is a member of the Classical Riding
Club, EAGALA, and Natural Horse People. For over 20 years
she has been Chair of her local Riding for the Disabled
branch. She also has 5 dogs.
|
|
Sailor is an 11-year-old Gypsy Vanner. His motto in life is that
strangers are friends he hasn't met yet! He, along with
Tracie, will your host for the equine part of the training. |
Fees
Extra Early Bird fee: $750 (fully
paid by 1 July 2010)
Early Bird fee: $800 (paid 1 July - 15 Sept)
Regular fee: $950 (after 15 Sept 2010)
Registration fees include
workshop handouts and materials, continental
breakfast, light lunch, and beverages.
Cancellation
Policy
Of the total paid, $150 is considered a nonrefundable deposit to hold
your seat. Registrations are accepted on
a first-come-first-served
basis. Fees include 20 hours of training, handout book, light refreshments.
Lunches and dinners are on your own.
The $150 deposit is nonrefundable.
Written cancellations received 12 weeks prior
to the training will receive a full refund of
the balance of the fees. Cancellations received
within 12 weeks of the training are subject
to an additional $100 processing fee, with the
remainder being refunded.
We regret that no refunds can
be given within the 6 weeks preceding the training.
When someone from the waiting list can substitute,
credit toward future trainings may be given.
To
Register...
Please
register using our online store.
or download the
full brochure and submit the registration form that is on it.
back
to top |
