Sunday, October 10, 2010

Animal Assisted Activity Program

Animal Assisted Activity Program    

After several years of bugging work to allow me to bring my dogs in to play with the youths I have finally got the go ahead to begin an Animal Assisted Activity Program. On a regular basis the dogs and I will begin providing an individual approach to improve the literacy and communication skills of our youths in confilict with the law by employing a powerful method: reading out loud to the dog. The program utilizes the companionship of my dogs to build and encourage the youth's love of books and allows the participant to practice a broader range of communication skills in a safe, non-judgmental environment. The reading session is then concluded with an outdoor play session for the youth and the dog in order to support the program as an enjoyable event for all involved.
Background
Animal Assisted Activity is a type of therapy that involves an animal with specific characteristics becoming a fundamental part of influencing a youth's motivation for personal growth. Animal-assisted therapy is designed to improve the physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning of the participant, as well as to provide educational and motivational effectiveness for the participants.
Many kinds of animals are used in Animal Assisted Therapy, including dogs, cats, birds, dolphins, horses, rabbits, lizards, llamas, and other small animals. Such animals are often referred to as "comfort animals".
Benefits (1A)

Physical

  • Improve fine motor skills.
  • Improve gross motor skills.
  • Increase physical activity.
  • It is believed that AAT may also lower blood pressure (1) (2), alleviate stress and anxiety (3), as well as decrease depression (4).

Educational

  • Increase vocabulary.
  • Aid in long- or short-term memory.
  • Improve knowledge of concepts, such as size, color, etc.
  • Increase attention span. (5)
  • Improved knowledge of responsible dog ownership

Motivational

  • Improve willingness to be involved in the reading activity.
  • Supports the reading experience (i.e. learn to enjoy reading for the sake of reading)
  • Improve interactions with staff. (5)
  • Improve interactions with others (5)

Mental

  • Increase verbal interactions.
  • Increase attention skills (i.e. staying on task). (5)
  • Develop leisure/recreation skills.
  • Increase self-esteem. (5)
  • Reduce anxiety. (3)
  • Reduce loneliness.
  • Learn to trust.
  • Enhance quality of life through the human-animal bond.
  • Draws attention outward.
  • Turns off anxiety, anger and depression. (3) (4)
  • Creates a feeling of safety
  • Increases positive expectations of both self and others

Footnotes

(1) Physiological effects of human/companion animal bonding.

Baun MM, Bergstrom N, Langston NF, Thoma L

Abstract

Blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate were recorded in 24 subjects during 3 9-minute measurement sessions in which they petted an unknown dog, petted a dog with whom a companion bond had been established, or read quietly. Based on the findings of this study, several conclusions were drawn: (1) There is a significant difference in changes over time in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure between petting a dog with whom a companion bond has been established and petting a dog with whom no bond exists; (2) the decreases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure that occur during petting a dog with whom a companion bond has been established parallel the relaxation effect of quiet reading; and (3) there is a " greeting response" to the entry of a dog with whom a companion bond has been established, which results in significantly higher systolic and diastolic pressures than the response either to an unknown dog or to reading.
PMID: 6563527 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
(1A) Therapy Dogs International
 Perceptions of the Impact of Pet Therapy on Residents/Patients and Staff in Facilities Visited by Therapy Dogs
http://www.tdi-dog.org/images/TDIStudy.pdf

 (2) Animal-assisted therapy in patients hospitalized with heart failure.

Cole KM, Gawlinski A, Steers N, Kotlerman J
University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. nskmc@mednet.ucla.edu

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Animal-assisted therapy improves physiological and psychosocial variables in healthy and hypertensive patients.
OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a 12-minute hospital visit with a therapy dog improves hemodynamic measures, lowers neurohormone levels, and decreases state anxiety in patients with advanced heart failure.
METHODS: A 3-group randomized repeated-measures experimental design was used in 76 adults. Longitudinal analysis was used to model differences among the 3 groups at 3 times. One group received a 12-minute visit from a volunteer with a therapy dog; another group, a 12-minute visit from a volunteer; and the control group, usual care. Data were collected at baseline, at 8 minutes, and at 16 minutes.
RESULTS: Compared with controls, the volunteer-dog group had significantly greater decreases in systolic pulmonary artery pressure during (-4.32 mm Hg, P = .03) and after (-5.78 mm Hg, P = .001) and in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure during (-2.74 mm Hg, P = .01) and after (-4.31 mm Hg, P = .001) the intervention. Compared with the volunteer-only group, the volunteer-dog group had significantly greater decreases in epinephrine levels during (-15.86 pg/mL, P = .04) and after (-17.54 pg/mL, P = .04) and in norepinephrine levels during (-232.36 pg/mL, P = .02) and after (-240.14 pg/mL, P = .02) the intervention. After the intervention, the volunteer-dog group had the greatest decrease from baseline in state anxiety sum score compared with the volunteer-only (-6.65 units, P =.002) and the control groups (-9.13 units, P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS: Animal-assisted therapy improves cardiopulmonary pressures, neurohormone levels, and anxiety in patients hospitalized with heart failure.
PMID: 17962502 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

Saturday, June 12, 2010

YORK REGION RINGWORK OUTBREAK UPDATES & INFORMATION

Press Release
http://www.ontariospca.ca/press_releases/2010/york-region-ringworm.html

June 6, 2010
Appointment of Investigator
"As mentioned a few weeks ago, an external investigation on the ringworm outbreak will be conducted. The Ontario SPCA takes its responsibilities as a public trust and the governing body of animal-care regulations very seriously. It's board chair, Rob Godfrey continues to take the steps he said he would regarding the appointment of an arm's-length investigator who will examine the protocols and procedures, and determine whether they were breached. This investigator will also examine all aspects of the handling of the outbreak by Ontario SPCA staff. The investigator will have unfettered access to all Ontario SPCA staff, volunteers and management, as well as anyone that was consulted regarding the ringworm outbreak. The investigator will report to the Ontario SPCA board upon completion of their probe. As board chairman, Mr. Godfrey pledged to make the investigator's report public at the earliest opportunity, and immediately undertake the appropriate actions necessary to prevent a similar crisis from occurring in the future."

May 13, 2010
Update from the York Region Shelter

"We hope that this sad episode will be over soon. We know this is an upsetting situation for animal lovers. But if something good can come out of it, it will be that we are more knowledgeable about these outbreaks so that we don't have to resort to these actions ever again. We hope the public will understand and work with us to put this in the past."

These are the facts:
- 99 animals have been humanely Euthanized to date.
- 96 animals have been fostered out to other accredited agencies, clinics, shelters and institutions capable of caring for them in isolation from other animals.
- 15 animals have been stolen.
- 15 animals who are not affected by the outbreak are in isolation in a portable structure on the site.
- 23 dogs and 91 cats need to be tested further. We are seeking temporary shelter for these animals for up to a month.
For more information contact
Rosaline Ryan
Director, Marketing and Communications
Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(416) 428-9886 Mobile

Alison Cross
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Mobile: 905.853.2108
Email: across@ospca.on.ca

Eden Kennels: PETITION for PROVINCIAL OVERSIGHT of the OSPCA

Eden Kennels: PETITION for PROVINCIAL OVERSIGHT of the OSPCA

PETITION for PROVINCIAL OVERSIGHT of the OSPCA

PETITION for PROVINCIAL OVERSIGHT of the OSPCA
Please feel free to download petition here
http://www.frank-klees.on.ca/Newsroom/documents/PetitionforProvincialOversightoftheOSPCA.doc

Resolution Calls for Provincial Oversight of OSPC
June 1, 2010 (Queen’s Park) Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees tabled the following resolution in the Ontario Legislature that if adopted, will bring the OSPCA under provincial oversight.
“That, in the opinion of this House, the Ontario Legislature call on the Government of Ontario to review the powers and authority granted to the OSPCA under the OSPCA Act and to make the necessary legislative changes to bring those powers under the authority of the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services to ensure that there is a clearly defined and effective provincial oversight of all animal shelter services in the province, and to separate the inspection and enforcement powers of the OSPCA from its functions as a charity providing animal shelter services.”

In addition to ensuring provincial oversight, the resolution also calls for the separation of the inspection and enforcement powers of the OSPCA from its functions as a charity providing animal shelter services.


"This resolution calls on the government to make the necessary legislative reforms to enact effective provincial oversight over the OSPCA and to make clear the separation of the inspection and enforcement powers of the OSPCA from its function as an animal shelter charity," said Klees.


Klees has also launched a “Petition for Provincial Oversight of the OSPCA” that can be found on his website.
McGuinty Gov’t Refuses MPP’s Call to Control OSPCA Investigation
May 17, 2010 (Queen’s Park) Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees today called on the government to take control of the investigation into the OSPCA's decision to euthanize the entire population of animals at its York Region shelter.

Dwight Duncan, the Acting Premier and MPP for Windsor-Tecumseh, refused, insisting the government has confidence in the OSPCA, and will allow the organization to oversee its own investigation.


"The Board admitted that the OSPCA staff and its so-called experts made serious mistakes that resulted in the unnecessary killing of a third of its shelter population before admitting that its euthanasia plan was unnecessary and wrong," said Klees. "Now the board is insisting that they should control the investigation into their own mismanagement. That's unacceptable and will only further erode public confidence in the organization.”

Klees wants the Minister of Public Safety to "take control of the file”, to appoint the investigator who will report back to the Minister, and to have that report tabled with the Legislature.


"Confidence can only be restored when the public is convinced that a truly independent investigation has taken place, is told the truth about what happened in York Region, and is assured that the necessary oversight is in place to ensure this can never happen again.”

ONTARIO HANSARD MAY 17, 2010
ANIMAL PROTECTION

Mr. Frank Klees: To the Acting Premier: The events of this week have undermined the public’s confidence in the OSPCA. That confidence will only be restored if the public is convinced that a truly independent investigation has taken place, is told the truth about what happened in York region, and is assured that the necessary oversight is in place to ensure that it can never happen again. That public confidence will not be restored if the OSPCA is allowed to commission and oversee its own investigation.


I’m asking the Acting Premier: Will he agree with me that the only way to restore that public confidence is for the Minister of Community Safety to appoint an independent investigator who will have that report back to him and to this Legislature—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Acting Premier?
Hon. Dwight Duncan: The members of this House, and indeed all Ontarians, were deeply troubled by the circumstances last week. I believe that the government has followed the legislation carefully. The OSPCA, as I understand it, is commissioning a review of this matter with independent veterinarians and advisers. That process will yield, I suspect, recommendations with respect to how to move forward to avoid these sorts of circumstances again.

We will continue to monitor what’s happening. The independent investigation that’s going on, I believe, is appropriate in the circumstances, to help satisfy the concerns that have been expressed by so many Ontarians.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?


Mr. Frank Klees: I fail to see why the government continues to let the OSPCA twist in the wind. The board admitted that that organization and its board made serious mistakes. Now the government is allowing that same board to appoint an investigator to investigate itself. This does nothing to restore public confidence.

I’m going to ask the minister one more time: Will he and his government do the right thing and take control of this file, appoint the independent investigator, require that that report comes back to the minister, not the board, and to this Legislature so that we can find out what went wrong, who was responsible and ensure this never happens again?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: I remind the member opposite that the OSPCA is an independent organization, as established by legislation that was approved by this House. There have been, over time, a number of changes to the act. Governments have recognized that animal welfare is best left to veterinarians and animal care experts.

I believe the OSPCA has taken the appropriate steps in this case, and that their findings will, hopefully, help avoid the very unfortunate circumstances that all of us witnessed last week and lead to a stronger system of protection of animals in Ontario going forward.


Klees calls for legislative changes to ensure regulatory oversight of the OSPCA


May 18 2010 The tragic circumstances surrounding events at the York Region OSPCA must not be allowed to happen again. Clear, regulatory oversight could have prevented these events.
Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees is calling on the provincial government to make the necessary legislative changes to ensure provincial oversight of the OSPCA.

Klees was joined by former Ontario Solicitor General David Turnbull, who spoke to the need to eliminate the real and perceived conflict of interest that occurs when the existing provincial policing body (OSPCA) is also a registered charity.

MEDIA CONFERENCE: OSPCA May 18, 2010 Queen’s Park Media Room
http://www.frank-klees.on.ca/Newsroom/documents/OSPCAmediaconference.doc



The Newmarket SPCA planned to euthanize 350 animals

Ontario animal shelter announces it will stop euthanization


By Stephanie Dearing.
Toronto - The Newmarket SPCA in Ontario, Canada, under fire for plans to euthanize 350 animals held at its shelter, announced it has stopped killing the animals in its care.

Receiving heavy criticism over its decision to euthanize 350 animals for a ringworm outbreak, the Newmarket SPCA had begun to back-peddle on its decision Wednesday, announcing it would evaluate animals on a case-by-case basis. Fifty animals were killed on Tuesday, and it is thought that close to 50 more were killed on Wednesday. But the remaining 250 or so animals will be spared, the shelter announced in a mid-morning press conference Thursday, reported the Toronto Star.

The press conference was scheduled for Thursday by the York Region SPCA. In a document [PDF] written for the conference, the shelter said it had been fighting the ringworm infection since February 2010. Kate MacDonald, the CEO and spokesperson for the shelter, said only 50 animals had been put down, 2 dogs and 48 cats. However, MPP Frank Klees, who jumped into the fight to save the shelter animals Tuesday, said on his website that 99 animals had been killed.

MacDonald said the shelter did not know how bad the ringworm infection was until May 10th. MacDonald insists that the euthanization was undertaken because of the risk to public health the problem posed, saying

"Now that animals and people are infected, it is not only an animal welfare issue but a public health issue too. We cannot risk contamination within other parts of the community. We are legally and morally bound to ensure that the contaminant is contained."

The York Region SPCA remained defiant, insisting the only way to deal with the infection was to put down all the animals in the shelter's care, saying

"This isn’t about funding. This is about containing an outbreak of a virulent strain of ringworm. We all agree that ringworm is treatable; however, in an animal shelter scenario it is much more challenging to get it under control, and the York Region Shelter has been fighting this since February, 2010."

Klees celebrated the reversal of the York Region SPCA decision saying

"This is the right thing to do. It's just unfortunate that it's two days late. Now we have to ensure that we get to the bottom of how we got here and ensure this never happens again."

UPDATE May 13, 1:30 pm:

The York Region SPCA has confirmed that it did indeed euthanize 99 animals earlier this week. The organization has published an explanation of its position on the website, while cancelling its fund raising walk-a-thon that was to be held this weekend. The OSPCA is now fighting for credibility after the York Region shelter decided it would not euthanize any further animals.

In the statement the York SPCA said

"The decision to humanely euthanize affected animals was made on the best clinical and medical evidence available to us."

The statement goes on to justify the actions taken, and what the shelter is doing now to sanitize the shelter, as well as care for the remaining animals. Of the original 352 animals at the shelter, less the animals already disposed of through euthanasia,

"... 96 animals have been fostered out to other accredited agencies, clinics, shelters and institutions capable of caring for them in isolation from other animals; 15 animals have been stolen; 15 animals who are not affected by the outbreak are in isolation in a portable structure on the site; 23 dogs and 91 cats need to be tested further. We are seeking temporary shelter for these animals for up to a month."

At the news conference this morning, reports CTV, the York Region SPCA said it had not clearly communicated with the public about how many animals would be put down, leading the public to believe 350 animals would be disposed of in order to deal with the virulent ringworm outbreak.

The public, while happy to hear that over 100 animals will be spared, are angry. One sign posted at the shelter say

"This is what our donations dollars did?"

The head of the OSPCA, Rob Godfrey now claims that less than 350 animals actually had ringworm. He promised the full report following the investigation would be released to the public.