Who let the dogs in : a narrative examination into the need for animal assisted intervention based programming for youth residential treatment centers

Abstract

Throughout my career working with youth, it has been my dream to use animals for therapy in residential treatment settings. This project is an effort to make that dream a reality. It is a journey through the events and experiences in my life that have shaped my views. What I have learned is the foundation for a proposed youth residential treatment program. A combination of personal experiences and opinions and current research frame the platform on which this project is based. The goal is to mesh the practical with the theoretical to propose an idea for a treatment center. This project includes descriptions and personal views of organizations that employed me. Alternate names have been used to identify these programs.