Animal Assisted Intervention

Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) is a purposeful, evidence-based approach that incorporates a specially trained and certified animal into therapy to support functional communication goals. In our practice, we use a certified facility dog as part of carefully planned speech-language therapy sessions to enhance engagement, motivation, and learning.

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What Is a Certified Facility Dog?

A certified facility dog is not a pet. They are professionally trained, temperament-tested, and certified to work in clinical and educational settings alongside a licensed professional. Our facility dog is trained to remain calm, responsive, and predictable, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for children and families.

The dog always works under the direct guidance of the speech-language pathologist and is integrated intentionally into therapy activities—not as a distraction, but as a therapeutic tool.

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How Animal Assisted Intervention Supports Speech & Language Development

Research and clinical experience show that Animal Assisted Intervention can significantly improve therapy outcomes by:

• Increasing motivation and attention
  Many individuals are naturally drawn to animals, which can increase participation and sustained attention during therapy tasks.

• Reducing anxiety and improving emotional regulation
  The presence of a calm, friendly dog can help clients feel more relaxed, confident, and willing to communicate—especially those who experience frustration or anxiety in therapy settings.

• Encouraging natural communication
  Clients are often more motivated to talk, ask questions, give directions, tell stories, and explain ideas when interacting with a dog.

• Supporting a wide range of speech and language goals, including:

  • Expressive and receptive language

  • Vocabulary development and sentence expansion

  • Narrative skills and sequencing

  • Social communication and pragmatic language

  • Following directions and auditory comprehension

  • Speech sound practice and fluency activities

How the Facility Dog Participates in Therapy

The facility dog may be incorporated into sessions through structured activities such as:

• Giving the dog directions or describing actions

• Reading stories aloud to the dog

• Practicing conversational skills during shared routines

• Retelling events involving the dog to build narrative and inference skills

• Using the dog as a motivator for turn-taking, requesting, and problem-solving

All activities are individualized and aligned with specific therapy goals.

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Safety, Choice, and Individualization

Your comfort and safety are always our priority. Animal Assisted Intervention is optional, and therapy can be provided with or without the facility dog based on needs, preferences, allergies, or cultural considerations. The dog’s involvement is adjusted or removed at any time to best support therapeutic progress.

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A Thoughtful, Evidence-Based Approach

Animal Assisted Intervention is not a replacement for skilled speech-language therapy—it is a complementary approach that enhances traditional, evidence-based practices. By combining clinical expertise with the unique benefits of a certified facility dog, we create a warm, engaging environment where clients feel confident, motivated, and ready to communicate.