The Play Therapy Training Institute, Inc.

Seminar #263
INTRODUCTION TO CANINE ASSISTED PLAY THERAPY
Instructor: Risë VanFleet, Ph.D., RPT-S
Saturday March 20, 2010 - 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

This training is designed for child and family therapists who wish to train and work with therapy dogs to enhance their play therapy and other child/family work. The workshop provides an overview of the human-animal bond literature, animal-assisted therapy, research, and the integration of animal-assisted therapy with play therapy. Canine Assisted Play Therapy (CAPT) involves the use of child-canine play interactions for therapeutic benefit, and the workshop covers the involvement of dogs in nondirective and directive play therapy, as well as ways to incorporate families. Topics include selection and training of dogs, resources for training, specific activities in play therapy, and application of CAPT to a wide range of problems. The workshop provides an excellent overview of this exciting field. Lecture material is supplemented by case studies and video examples. Dogs may be present for some additional demonstration or skills practice. Prerequisites: Participants should have prior experience conducting play therapy, including familiarity with both nondirective (child-centered) play therapy and directive play therapy approaches. They should also be comfortable around dogs. Canine professionals wishing to attend should meet these prerequisites as well.

Learning Objectives:

1. Have an overview of the human-animal bond literature
2. Learn to integrate animal-assisted therapy with play therapy
3. Understand how Canine Assisted Play Therapy (CAPT) helps children with psychological difficulties
4. See how the use dogs can be helpful in nondirective and directive play therapy
5. Learn about the selection and training of dogs, resources for the same and application of CAPT in outpatient care

INSTRUCTOR: Risë VanFleet, Ph.D., RPT-S, is a licensed psychologist and is the founder and President of the Family Enhancement and Play Therapy Center, Inc., a clinic and training center located in Boiling Springs, PA. She brings 35 years of experience to her trainings. She is the founder of the International Collaborative for Play Therapy and a Past President/Board Chair of the Association for Play Therapy.  She has received 3 national awards for her training work and 2 for her professional writing.  She is the author of Filial Therapy: Strengthening Parent-Child Relationships through Play, A Parent’s Handbook for Filial Play Therapy, Play Therapy for Kids & Canines, and co-editor of Casebook of Filial Therapy, and author/photographer of The Faces of Play.  She has a forthcoming book on child-centered play therapy, and she has authored dozens of chapters, articles, and manuals relating to play therapy.  Dr. VanFleet is also featured in DVD workshops on Child-Centered Play Therapy, Overcoming Resistance, and Introduction to Filial Therapy as well as a DVD produced by the American Psychological Association entitled Filial Play Therapy.  She has trained and supervised thousands of clinicians worldwide and her writings have been translated into several languages.  She is also a pianist, dog trainer, and an award-winning photographer specializing in Alaskan wildlife.  She can be reached through her websites: play-therapy.com and playfulpooch.org.

Saturday March 20, 2010 - 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

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