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Pet Assisted Therapy (PAT) Program
The D.J. PAT University Certificate Program has been offered at CCRI for over five years and has led to exciting opportunities for many of the graduates. Beneficial programs at St. Elizabeth Home, the Arc of Northern RI, the Northern RI Mental Health Center, the J. Arthur Trudeau Memorial Center, Victoria Court Assisted Living, Central Falls School District, Forest Avenue School in Middletown, Sackett Street School in Providence, West Bay Christian Academy in North Kingston among others have been developed by professional pet assisted therapy facilitator/educators associated with the course. This professional pet assisted certificate is utilized as an innovative approach to drug prevention, violence prevention, enhanced self-esteem, enhanced quality of life, and the accomplishment of treatment goals.
The program consists of three semesters: Pet Assisted Therapy I and II (listed below) and Pet Assisted Therapy III, an internship in PAT. Graduates and students from this program are certified and credentialed by the Windwalker Humane Coalition for Professional Pet Assisted Therapy.
Pet Assisted Therapy I
Introduction to Professional Pet Assisted Therapy
This is part one of a 3-course program. Here you will learn the therapeutic benefits of the human companion animal bond and how to develop a professional PAT program. In addition to the legal, safety and ethical considerations, you will learn how these skills can be applied in health care education, social services and service learning for the benefit of all involved. Discussion topics include the RI Pet Therapy Guidelines, the link between abuse of pets and abuse in general, and the "D.J. Respect for Living Things" program. Your instructor will apprise you of the contents of Parts II (pet training) and III (internship). Reading and writing assignments required. (Textbook included)
Pet Assisted Therapy II
Building the Bond: Hands-On, Paws-On Learning
For PAT students the focus now shifts to family therapy pets - dogs, cats, rabbits and more. You'll learn how to evaluate, appreciate and work with a variety of pets that will effectively interact with clients and about the benefit to both the animals and the clients. This seminar will result in education and training that will prepare you for the pet therapy internship. Pre-requisite: Pet Assisted Therapy I
Pet Assisted Therapy III
Course III is an internship in Pet Assisted Therapy. Students who have completed Pet Assisted Therapy I & II are eligible to participate.
Meet Pet Assisted Therapy Instructor, Pearl Salotto, B.A., M.P.S.
Pearl, inspired by her family therapy pet, DJ, and currently working with Maj-En and Panda Girl, has been a leading spokesperson for the professionalization of Pet Assisted Therapy since 1987. She is also known for her expertise in Pet Assisted Therapy curriculum development, as well as for her work in ethics, legislation, and public policy regarding people and animals. Ms. Salotto’s recently published book, Pet Assisted Therapy, A Loving Intervention and an Emerging Profession Leading to a Friendlier, Healthier, and More Peaceful World, is one of the most comprehensive academic texts in the field.
Also on staff for this program are Linda Jones and Claire Senecal. Linda, a reading specialist, taught, along with Ms. Salotto, an innovating service learning/pet assisted therapy course at Feinstein High School named the D.J. PAT/Feinstein High School Service Learning Program. Claire, PPATF, developed and continues to work in a unique program for adults with developmental disabilities at the Arc of Northern Rhode Island, named the Love Connection.
Graduates and students from this program are certified and credentialed by the Windwalker Humane Coalition for Professional Pet Assisted Therapy. Windwalker has been advocating for the role of animals in all of our lives since 1995.
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