WESTMINSTER 2007 WINNERS ADDING TO THE LEGACY ESB LOBBY DISPLAY FEATURES WKC 2007 JUDGING SCHEDULE (pdf) DR. RICHARD MEEN TO JUDGE TERRIER GROUP 2007 ENTRY DETAILS ANNE ROGERS CLARK - 1929-2006 2007 INVITED DOGS BUY DOGS FROM A BREEDER 2007 ENTRY RULES AND PROCEDURES 2007 JUDGING PANEL 2007 HOTEL & NYC INFORMATION 2007 WESTMINSTER WEEK CALENDAR COLORED BULL TERRIER CAPTURES 2006 BEST IN SHOW BREED JUDGING STREAMING VIDEO IS A HUGE HIT ONCE AGAIN KATRINA HEROES HONORED BY WKC ANGEL ON A LEASH PEDIGREE DONATION WKC SUPPORTS DISASTER VICTIMS

IT'S MORE THAN JUST PETTING THE DOG Therapeutic progress for pre-school children with psychiatric disorders and special education needs can be significantly enhanced by the participation of therapy dog teams in the treatment process. That is the preliminary conclusion of a recent pilot study conducted at the Albertina Kerr Center in Portland, Oregon. The Kerr Early Intervention Program provides therapy and services for children between the ages of three and five years who face the challenges of emotional and behavioral disorders, as well as past abuse and neglect. Therapists found that the presence of the dogs encouraged the children to participate more fully in therapy sessions. Among the results cited in the study: A severely mistreated girl found the dog to be a trustworthy friend and for the first time in therapy sessions began to share stories of her trauma and neglect; One of the dogs held the previously unobtainable interest of a young boy with ADHD and a severely short attention span, allowing progress in treatment; A young girl with oppositional issues showed turn-taking behaviors revolving around the dog that she had not shown before in any setting; A number of young patients improved interaction skills, modifying aggressive behaviors and learning the importance of companionship. The dogs were adaptable to a variety of pediatric clients and challenges, helping children learn to express themselves, to modify destructive behavior and gain emotional and physical control. The study, reported in Delta Society's Interactions magazine, was conducted by Leah Brookner, a child and family therapist at Albertina Kerr, as part of her PhD studies in Social Work and Social Research. For more information about the research behind the use of therapy dogs in healthcare applications, log on to www.deltasociety.org. MEDIA CENTER    TERMS OF USE    PHOTO CREDITS    ©2008 Westminster Kennel Club. All Rights Reserved.