When children and adolescents first enter the outpatient center of Princeton House Behavioral Health in Hamilton, NJ, they are often reserved and nervous. But then a black cockapoo named Sadie pokes her head in, and the walls start to come down. “She helps patients immediately feel more comfortable and less anxious,” said Lisa Steinhilber, EdS, LPC, of Princeton House-Hamilton’s Animal-Assisted Therapy.
Sadie is part of the team in Princeton House’s Animal-Assisted Therapy Program, which was piloted at the Hamilton location. Jody Kashden, PhD, clinical director of the Child and Adolescent Program for Princeton House, said program represents a more complex, goal-directed intervention than the standard pet therapy provided in many hospitals and other health care settings. It not only reduces stress and anxiety, but also helps to improve social and communication skills, increase self-esteem and decrease depression and anger. “Animal-assisted therapy is a bridge,” Kashden said. “It allows us to engage individuals on a level that is often not possible otherwise.”
“Sadie is typically here for the whole day,” Steinhilber said. “She will greet staff members and patients first thing in the morning, and then she participates in intake evaluations, group therapy, individual sessions with clients and multifamily programs during the day.”
Steinhilber, who is Sadie’s guardian as well as her therapy partner, noted that the dog received extensive Therapy Dog training, which included earning the Canine Good Citizen certification, in preparation for her role. But her skills go well beyond formal training. Sadie intuitively senses when patients need additional support, and she’ll stay by their side until they are OK.
Princeton House plans to build on Hamilton’s successful program by adding animal-assisted therapy at all outpatient sites serving children and adolescents. Kashden noted that Princeton House also hopes to expand the use of animal-assisted therapy to adult patients.