Kris Butler's new book should be required reading for everyone who has an interest in Animal-Assisted therapy, everyone who does AAT and everyone who benefits from AAT. And that's everyone! Butler has clearly and thoughtfully identified the sites and systems for the therapy work we do with our dogs. Even more, she has anticipated and addressed each potential obstacle, concern or problem, providing therapy dog owners and program administrators with a positive and pro-active way to establish, deliver and assess therapy dog services across a range of institutional settings.
Dogs need training to do therapy work, and people and communities need training to understand the role of dogs in our lives, and how those roles (and our expectations) change across social settings, and across generations. This book discusses heeling dogs as healing dogs, and a bit about how to do both.
Kris Butler is wise to the ways of dogs and people, and she is deeply committed to contribution dogs make to the quality of our lives. As a dog trainer, community educator, and advisory board member for 'Paws Up' certified therapy dogs, I recommend this book without reservation to anyone who is already working in animal-assisted therapy, and anyone who ever thought their dog might bring some joy and comfort to kids or elders.
