Resources for Assistance Animals for Children with Disabilities

An annotated list from of organizations for assistance animals (including therapy and service dogs and therapy horses) for children with disabilities.

From www.childrensdisabilities.info

Recommended Books on Therapy and Service Animals - book reviews for parents of children with special needs.

Service Dog Resources | Therapy Horse Resources

Therapy and Service Dog Assistance Resources

Assistance Dogs International is considered the 'standard' (as in 'high'!) for service dogs. Members are very reliable organizations.

Therapy Dogs International is another reputable source for therapy dogs. TDI tests and registers therapy dogs and their volunteer handlers for visits to nursing homes, hospitals, other institutions and wherever else therapy dogs are needed. They also provides a reading encouragement program with dog visits to schools.

Intermountain Therapy Dogs has interesting information and links to research articles on "read to dogs" programs.

Assisted-Animal Therapy & Reading Education Assistance Dogs Groups provides a long list of therapy dog organizations.

Therapy Horse Assistance Resources

American Hippotherapy Association Inc. (AHA, Inc.) promotes the use of the movement of the horse as a treatment strategy in physical, occupational and speech-language therapy sessions for people living with disabilities. AHA Inc. consists of medical professionals (physical, occupational and speech-language therapists) and others who are interested in the use of equine movement as a treatment strategy. Their website provides training information, therapist list, research summaries and more.

Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) promotes and funds scientific research of equine assisted activities and therapies and provide education on research findings.

Federation of Riding for the Disabled International forms worldwide links between countries and centers offering therapeutic riding and driving, and assists in the development of programs in new areas of the world.

Guide Dogs for the Blind trains free dogs to people who are blind in several states, includes audio training lessons for dog owners.

Intermountain Therapy Animals has youtube videos and training textbooks for people interested in participating in the R.E.A.D. program with their pets.

Pet Partners Therapy Animal Program offers a special initiative called Read with Me. Handlers learn how to apply their pro-active handling and constructive communication skills in a setting with children.