Love On 4 Paws Animal Assisted Therapy

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 The Love On 4 Paws story begins in 1991 with Sharlene Lauretz's daughter Nancy, who is autistic and developmentally delayed. Sharlene noticed that Nancy accomplished more in school, and in her therapy sessions, when the family dogs were present. After Nancy moved to a facility for children with special needs, Sharlene would visit with her dogs. Sharlene observed how much Nancy and the other residents of the home enjoyed playing and interacting with the dogs, as well as how this "play" helped her cognitive and physical development. Nancy, and her housemates, opened up more with the dogs present, worked harder to meet their goals, and did things with them they would not do for people. During this period, Sharlene met the principal of a high school for developmentally delayed students, most of whom were from the inner-city. After a visit to one classroom, which was a resounding success, word spread through the schools. The Love On 4 Paws program became the official animal-assisted therapy program for the Los Angeles Unified School District Department of Special Education. Handler / animal teams worked with special education staff to help blind, deaf, orthopedically handicapped, developmentally disabled, autistic and multi-handicapped students.

In 1995, Love On 4 Paws volunteer teams began visiting nursing homes to reduce the loneliness and stress of elderly people experiencing traumatic life changes, which included isolation from the outside world.

In 1996, the Love On 4 Paws program began to focus on the challenges of patients in the hospital. Today, Love On 4 Paws teams focus on bringing animal-assisted therapy to patients at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and Shriners Childrens Hospital. This innovative program has been instrumental in initiating one-to-one therapeutic interventions for children in hospitals undergoing recovery (Pain Management teams) and rehabilitation (Physical Therapy teams, Occupational therapy teams, Speech Therapy teams), as well as traditional bed visits (Unit visit teams). Children who are depressed and lonely feel less isolated when the animals come to see them.

Love On 4 Paws volunteer teams now serve hospitals and schools, where they offer a wide variety of activities. Allowing companion animals to visit provides a positive and therapeutic enhancement to the quality of life.

As a volunteer for Love On 4 Paws, you are part of a special group. The information under Frequently Asked Questions will answer a lot of your questions. If you have other questions, we are available and more than happy to answer them. Send us email or call us at (310) 547-2200.

Love On 4 Paws – Animal Assisted Therapy
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