Workshop Description
This training is designed for child and family therapists who wish to train and work with therapy dogs 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. 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 use 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 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 are included. Lecture material is illustrated with video examples, live demonstrations, and skills practice. The workshop is limited to 12 participants. Therapy dogs wi II be present.

Prerequisites
Participants shauld have prior experience canducting play therapy, including familiarity with bath 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 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/Learning Objectives
The training will run from 8:30 to 5:00 each day.
The training has 20 actual training hours.

Continuing Education
The Family Enhancement & Play Therapy Center, Inc. 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). 20 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.

Fees & Cancellation Policies
Early bird registration: $425 (fully paid 10 wks prior)
Regular registration: $550 (due 6 weeks prior)
Registration fees include workshop handouts and materials, continental breakfast each morning, beverages and light snacks each afternoon.

Cancellation Policy:
A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required to hold a reservation for this training. 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 $100 deposit is nonrefundable. Written cancellations received 10 weeks prior to the training will receive a full refund of the balance of the fees. Cancellations received within 10 weeks of the training are subject to an additional $75 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.

The Human and Canine 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 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 4 DVD workshops. Risë has trained thousands worldwide, and she has received 2 prestigious national awards for her work. She is also the author of the groundbreaking book Play Therapy for Kids and Canines: Benefits for Children’s Developmental and Psychosocial Health, 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, and an affiliate of 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.