Dog Animal-Assisted Therapy
The dog animal-assisted therapy (DAAT) goals are numerous, but the most important one is communication. We also work to teach participants to manage their emotions and develop their social skills. This personalized program will focus on the dog as the assistant; however, other species such as small exotic animals might be integrated into the program if needed.
Our target populations are teens and young adults within the alternative educational system. Most participants are at risk teens in need of a different approach to life's many challenges. Dog and rat animal-assisted therapy objectives are to develop communication, problem-solving skills, improve self-esteem and confidence.
If you wish to offer an alternative program to your teen via a dog and/or rat animal-assisted therapy program please contact Gaby at the Dogue Shop or call 514-814-4094.
NOTE: We have conducted both dog and rat animal-assisted therapy programs at Focus and Perspectives I high schools; therefore, we can provide references at your request.
Our Animal-Assisted Therapy programs were featured in the Laval Families online magazine. You can click the image to follow the link of clicker here to visit their page. We are very honoured and would like to thank the author Alexia Marsillo for her excellent work.
We strongly believe animals help to break down human defence mechanisms, especially when they are allowed to attach and work with adolescents. We have seen it multiple times over. Teens let down their barriers and allow our animals to intimately share their lives.
For my team of volunteers and I, each case offers an extremely valuable reward; therefore, we will continue to push the program into schools, or wherever we are needed. To that effect, I would like to publicly thank my dedicated team of volunteers: Ann-Marie Bourassa, Julie Langlois, Katherine Davidson, Kathlene Dixon-Dow, Kelsey Deer, Mark Werenchuk, and Sabrina Mignacca. With out you, the program wouldn't be the same. Thank you from the bottom of my heart 😊 ❤️
Rat Animal-Assisted Therapy
The rat animal-assisted therapy (RAAT) goals are similar to the dog program. The most important goal is to teach at risk teens how to manage their emotions, communication, and develop their social skills.
This personalised program will focus on the rat as the assistant; however, other species such as small exotic animals might be integrated into the program if needed. Please note, some teens prefer to work with gloves on because of cultural beliefs. Are animals are very well taken care of and will never be part of our programs if sick, injured, stressed, or tired.
Our target populations are teens and young adults within the alternative education school system in need of a different approach to life's challenges. RAAT and DAAT offer a concrete approach to learning.
Rat animal-assisted therapy (RAAT) objectives are to increase communication, develop problem-solving skills, improve self-esteem and confidence. Teens often experience a change in perspectives once they understand that rats are animals with individual characteristics and personalities. You may be "grossed out" by the idea of working with rats, but I assure you, your mind will change after you meet our animal ambassadors.
Wolf Animal-Assisted Therapy
The wolf animal-assisted therapy (WAAT) program is relatively the same as the regular animal-assisted therapy programs, with one exception, the wolf. During wolf animal-assisted therapy program, you will visit and interact with wolves, observe the group, and learn about their behaviour. If you are lucky, they might even participate in a howl session after hours.
In March 2011 the French television channel TV5 approached Gaby Dufresne-Cyr to film a wolf animal-assisted therapy episode for their miniseries "Les Guérisseurs". The wolf animal-assisted therapy episode was filmed in collaboration with the Centre Jeunesse Emploi Centre-Ville and Park Safari.
WOLF ANIMAL-ASSISTED THERAPY OBJECTIVES: establish and maintain positive mental and emotional health, communication, self-esteem, confidence, reasoning, and anticipation.
If you wish to establish a WAAT program in your establishment, Gaby will be happy to travel and help you set it up. You can reach her here, or stop by the Dogue Shop to chat. The program is a complex 10 week program designed to meet human and animal needs.
Wolf Animal-Assisted Therapy TV Show
WAAT Information
The wolf animal-assisted therapy (WAAT) program to your left was filmed for the French television network TV5. More recently, the RAAT program was documented by the same network and will air May 17th, 2016. 
If you have questions regarding the television episodes, or would like to inquire more about one of our animal-assisted therapy programs (DAAT, RAAT, WAAT), please contact Gaby Dufresne-Cyr at Dogue Shop or call 514-842-6160.
Emails are answered a bit faster as Gaby is often on the go. You can also reach her via our Facebook page.