When kids come to therapy and see the dogs they are attentive for longer
Therapist overcame ‘roadblock’ to introduce puppies
Their faces, & laughter watching his playful puppy moments was lovely
A BEHAVIOURAL therapist has told how therapy dogs are making a real difference in children with autism and challenging behaviours.
Jacinta Parkinson met a “roadblock” when she attempted to introduce her English mastiff, Kyra, into Irish organisations as a certified therapy dog.
Determined to introduce such therapeutic methods the therapist researched training protocols and set about teaching them to Kyra herself at her own practice Abalta in Portlaoise.
Laois native Jacinta, 34, told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “My first dog Kyra, is a mastiff and my dream was for her to become a certified therapy dog.
“However after contacting many different organisations it was evident that because of her breed they would not accept her into any programmes here in Ireland.
“It was heartbreaking, maybe it was because of her size, but she’s a gentle giant. Had we been living in Australia or the UK there would have been no issues. “This was the sad reality that I faced. “Determined not to let that stop me, I researched different training protocols and expectations and set about teaching them to Kyra myself.
“Her placement has been a great success.
“All my clients know and love Kyra, very often they ask how she is before I get a look in.”
Behavioural issues the dogs can help with vary from aggression to food refusal in children.
Jacinta remarked: “With the monotony of school when kids come to therapy with me and see the dogs they become eager and are attentive for longer.
“I say, ‘let’s work on the behaviour issue mum and dad want to work on for five minutes and then we’ll play with Kyra’.
“So I use the dogs as a motivator.”
Jacinta credits Kyra’s influence on changing behaviour in children who can’t control their emotions.
She said: “I had a five-year-old girl who would become very upset. When the child needed to get away from the table to take a break at school, she would head bang and that was her way of saying, ‘I’ve had enough I need a break’.
“Whereas I taught the little girl to come in and ask for a break with the dog and Kira headed off with her. She followed Kyra around and rubbed her head and the little girl immediately calmed down and the head banging stopped.”
Donut is Jacninta’s new five-month-old therapy dog, recently crowned Petmania’s puppy of the year pipping to the post over 1500 pet pooches in the contest. Jacinta explained: “Donut’s journey to becoming a therapy dog started on the 7th July 2023 when he was born.
“During his first few weeks, I shared many pictures and stories with my clients about Donut.
“Their faces, the happiness and laughter as they watched his playful puppy moments was lovely to watch.”