Disability Support Therapy Dogs
Our disability support therapy dogs can offer friendship, comfort and companionship to those living with a disability.
One in four New Zealanders are faced with a disability or multiple disabilities and around 11% are young vulnerable children. Dogs don’t judge a person who may look or act differently or is faced with a disability. They are fully accepting of all types of children and people and they bring fun, playfulness and positive energy into any situation or home as well as welcomed relief from a person or child’s condition through distraction and interaction.
They can be used as a conduit to assist children with physiotherapy, medications and hospital procedures or to encourage emotions, movement or provide hours of company on the bed with a child with chronic illness or restricted movement.
We specialise in helping Kiwi families who need the support of a therapy dog.
Support For Children & Adults
There is a range of common disabilities or conditions that a therapy dog can support:
Conditions
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (in particular we focus on high-functioning autism with symptoms such as inability to relax or sleep, anxiety, withdrawn emotionally)
- Down syndrome
- Global developmental delay
- Cerebral palsy
- Physical disabilities
- Brain injuries
- Chronic pain syndromes
Important Notes
In order to match and train the right type of therapy dog we will need to assess your needs and requirements. A therapy dog may not provide the right type of support in some cases, however we will work hard to make sure you find the right solution for you.
