creating beneficial human-animal interactions

baby ANIMALS

Puppies and kittens have a lot of growing up to do in their first 12 months! Not only will they grow physically, but their personalities will also develop. It is up to you to help your pets fulfill their potential as a loving companion. And it is never too soon to lay the ground work for a future that may include therapy work.

National therapy animal registries only accept dogs and cats that are at least one year of age. Thus, puppies and kittens, in general, are not utilized during these important months of development. This permits their handler to concentrate on providing controlled, positive formative experiences and leaves time for building a strong and loving team bond.

Puppies or kittens with Animal Assisted Activities and Animal Assisted Therapy potential will already demonstrate that they like people and enjoy being petted and cuddled. They should exhibit good manners while being handled (no biting or mouthing.) They should also be curious and perhaps a little independent as they meet new people and investigate new things.

As they grow, teach them the necessary skills for safe interactions with humans. Provide them with a variety of experiences that permit them to build self-confidence. And don't give up when they hit adolescence!

	Help your pet to develop a positive self-image. For puppies, enrolling them in a Puppy Kindergarten class will provide opportunities for learning to communicate with you and for interacting positively with fellow canines. For kittens, taking them for car rides, teaching them tricks and introducing them to safe, feline-friendly dogs will foster a solid social foundation.
	Help your puppy and kitten to develop confidence in people. Be sure they get to play with children, adults, seniors, men and women. Teach them that strangers are friendly and come in many shapes and sizes.
	Help your puppy and kitten to become an investigator. Encourage curiosity and acceptance toward unusual sights, noises and smells like automobiles, people in snowmobile suits, clattery pans, power tools, wheelchairs, canes, walkers, bicycles, skateboards, new vinyl, latex rubber, and people who smoke or wear perfume.
	Help your puppy and kitten to develop poise. Teach them to stand or sit while being petted. Teach them to walk on different floor surfaces including carpet, linoleum, vinyl and wood. Show them how to sit calmly on chairs, couches and narrow benches. Teach them to walk through a doorway at your side and to climb stairs at your pace.

Animals that will be appropriate for Animal Assisted Activities and Animal Assisted Therapy come in all shapes and sizes and exhibit a variety of personalities. A successful AAA or AAT animal, however, will ultimately be people-oriented, predictable, controllable and reliable - while having a good time!