What is A Dog Therapy Team? A Dog Therapy Team is a dog handler and a dog (usually the family pet) who work in clinical, community, educational and residential settings as part of an activity or therapeutic program. The goal of every interaction is to facilitate the healing process and contribute to the individual's life. Dog Assisted Therapy acts as a catalyst for an individual's healing process. Dogs provide motivation, positive interactions and unconditional love to people of all ages who may be lonely, depressed, in pain, disabled and/or non-communicative. A Dog Therapy Team can help to relieve stress, motivate people to undergo their physical therapy exercises and create a positive outlook for many individuals...

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Dog Assisted Therapy acts as a catalyst for an individual's healing process. Dogs provide motivation, positive interactions and unconditional love to people of all ages who may be lonely, depressed, in pain, disabled and/or non-communicative. A Dog Therapy Team can help to relieve stress, motivate people to undergo their physical therapy exercises and create a positive outlook for many individuals.

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Who Are Paws For the Heart? At present, Paws for the Heart consists Sage, Henry and Rio.

Sage is an educational consultant with 25 years experience in the field of education. She has 14 years of classroom teaching experience and has worked for over 10 years with parents, teachers and other educators to create positive, compassionate and kind environments for children. Her work with dogs is an extension of the Positive Discipline techniques she has been using for years in her classroom and with parents and teachers. She is a member of APDT, volunteers as a dog trainer for the Mendocino County Inland Humane Society. She teaches people and dogs to live in harmony with each other through the use of positive training methods

Henry is a 3 year old Yellow Labrador Retriever. He is outgoing, friendly and will chase after tennis balls for hours. He works well with people of all ages, but has a special gift to give to those who love to romp and run. Henry does many tasks, such as; closing doors, retrieving keys, clothes, the phone or any object you ask for, ringing the door bell and he even has a dance routine to entertain his admirers.

Rio is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Rio came into Sage's life when her grandson Chris adopted him in February 2002 from the Sacramento based Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue Society. They found Rio at the Sacramento pound. Rio is an incredibly loving animal who opens the heart of old and young alike. He gives his unconditional love without reservation to any one in need.

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Sage and Henry have been trained by Bonnie Bergin, of The Assistance Dog Institute. Additional training was received with the Delta Society Pet Partner's Program, Shari Dehouwer Director of Discover Dogs, and many other trainers who use positive training techniques. All obedience training done with Henry and Rio is based on Operant Behavior techniques relying on positive reinforcement. No force is used. In their work together Sage, Henry and Rio provide a role model for the respectful, humane and caring relationship that can exist between a person and their companion dog as well as between teacher and student, clinician and patient, parent and child and between peers.

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Please contact Sage directly to discuss your needs or if you have any questions.
Henry is a bit shy on the phone.
PO Box 464
Ukiah CA 95482
(707) 468-1673
E-mail: [email protected]

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Henry and Rio at Work
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