Teaming With Your Therapy Dog (New Directions in the Human-Animal Bond)

Very informative. I would recommend

My two-year-old Australian Labradoodle and I just became an official therapy dog team three months ago. I thought I was doing a good job being supportive and attentive to my partner... until I began reading this book. I'm not even half way through it but have made important changes in MY behavior in order to effectively support my dog during our visits. In addition, I'm now incredibly aware of both my dog's and my own behavior in our normal day-to-day routine. This book is very well written, interesting and easy to read. Ann R. Howie is obviously very experienced in the therapy dog arena, and with dog behavior in general, and uses lots of examples of therapy dog visits to make her points of what to do and what not to do when interacting with your dog. While it's written specifically for therapy dog handlers, I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to improve their connection to and relationship with their own dog.

If you're thinking about becoming a member of a therapy dog team, this book is a MUST READ!! It's really preparing me ahead of time before going to my "Handler's Class" because it's given me a lot to think about from both my perspective and my dog's perspective! This book has A LOT of practical and useful information that will be vital when my dog and I are out on "a visit.." I feel that the information provided in the book has pre-prepared me for therapy visits....especially the information I never considered. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO BE A MEMBER OF A THERAPY DOG TEAM!!!

Outstanding mentoring for pet visitor teams, this book reflects a consistent theoretical framework. At the same time, the author offers very practical examples throughout. Included are times when dogs will be dogs, and their human partners must be prepared. Ann Howie writes from breadth and depth of experience, with obvious respect for canines. She has worked with Pet Partners, along with holding advanced credentials in clinical social work. Every therapy dog team should have this available as MUST READ. The human should read repeatedly to grasp and practice proximity, watch closely (eyes), touch, and speak... placed in the acronym of STEP. The reference list includes other accomplished, pet therapy authors.

I am the Executive Director for a 140 member therapy dog program and this book is now required reading for my new teams. This is the best, most well written book I have ever read on the subject. Most are simply tear jerker stories, and anyone who has been in Animal Assisted Therapy can write their own book. This approach looks after the dog, and educates the handler on how to connect with their dog better and make the visit more comfortable for them. Highly recommenced to anyone who volunteers as a pet therapy team

Referred by dog trainer, so I thought, this is going to be more of the technical hands on stuff. To my surprise, she touched my heart and soul with her insight to true teamwork and love and respect between and surrounding a therapy dog team. Reading this is a must for real reward and success with your therapy dog. My dog and I are just getting started with our training and so glad this book was introduced to me now. No coincidences here.

This is an EXCELLENT book! I think it should be required reading for all Therapy Dog handlers, and I HIGHLY recommend it for anybody who wants to increase their bond with their dog. I learned so many tips and have improved my teamwork with my Therapy Dog in amazing ways since I read Ms. Howie's book. We were good before, but now we're on our way to becoming a true team who is truly in tune with each other. My dog is SO HAPPY that I read this book, because I'm a much better partner for him now!!

Good book for visiting therapy dog teams with S.T.E.P. as a reminder. As human beings, we make mistakes, and can forget to Speak to our dogs, Touch our Dogs, keep our Eyes on our dog, and stay close (proximity) during visits or anywhere! This is common sense practice for all family and potential therapy puppies/dogs. Raising awareness creates positive change for dogs and humans in training, and living and learning with our dogs.

Perfect. Very helpful. Thank you!

Well laid out and helpful for those embarking on healthcare therapy dog work. Ann Howie has created many programs for healthcare facilities in the USA and understands both the limitations and the excellent opportunity that lies in a well placed therapy dog team. She works hard to get the reader to be cognisant with the ethics surrounding working with a dog in such an environment.