Ann R. Howie, LICSW, ACSW
Ann has enjoyed and learned from animals in her life since birth (she was up on horseback before she could walk). As an adult, Ann began integrating animals into her counseling practice in 1987 and has worked with animals in (human) healthcare ever since. She has both state and national credentials as a social worker.
Ann has incorporated animals into her work in the following settings:
- In-patient psychiatry
- Acute-care hospital – pediatrics unit, medical-surgical unit, intensive care unit
- Medical rehabilitation – adult in-patient and pediatric out-patient
- Skilled nursing facilities – transitional care, long-term care, and special care (dementia, Alzheimer’s)
- Home health
- Hospice
Ann founded and coordinated a hospital animal-assisted activities and therapy program from 1990-1997. Ann was Delta Society ®’s national Director of AAT Services from 1995-2000, and she is an Eden Associate.
She wrote a textbook for animal-program coordinators and contributes to internationally recognized training books on handler skills and animal-handler evaluation. She was part of the initial task force to identify standards for the emerging field of animal-assisted therapy. She is co-author of a State of the Art Report on infection control implications for animals in healthcare facilities in process for the Association of Practitioners in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).
She is an adjunct faculty member in the Masters in Counseling Psychology program at St. Martin’s University in Olympia, Washington, and in the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver in their on-line Animals in Human Health certificate program.
Ann was traditionally trained to use coercive dog- and horse-training methods, and even as a child she had difficulty with the concept of using force against animals. As an adult she crossed over to clicker training and uses clicker-training principles in her work with both people and animals.
Ann shares her life with two Wheaten Terriers, a Standard Poodle, and multitudes of wild birds and squirrels.
Ann is a member of:
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT)
- Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC)
- Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB)
- Latham Foundation
- Delta Society
Contact us for more information.
Lightning, Therapy Dog (with Abuse History)
 |
Lightning came to us at Thanksgiving, 2004. He had been severely physically abused, and he arrived with the physical and emotional scars to prove it. The rescue organization said they believed he had the heart of a therapy dog. That was hard to imagine, as he more resembled a blob of protoplasm than a dog! We undertook a structured rehabilitation plan to first teach him to be a dog, then to teach him how to behave with manners. We didn't know if he would decide that interacting with people could be enjoyable. Gradually, over the course of nearly two years, Lightning consistently recovered, both physically and emotionally. His physical problems continue to flare up occasionally, but he has begun working as a therapy dog! The rescue group was right: he does have the heart of a therapy dog.
Without knowing his history, an observer wouldn't know he had a history!
Lightning is registered as a therapy dog with handlers Ann and Doug Howie with the Delta Pet Partners program.
Contact us for more information or to schedule an AAA/T session with Lightning for you or your client(s).
|
|
In Memory of Merlin (Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier), Therapy Dog
|
Photo taken by: Kari Blunck
|
“Some people only dream of angels. I have held one in my arms.”
--author unknown
|
Abernathy (Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier), Terrierist
|
Photo taken by: Kari Blunck
|
Abernathy has been the source of great learning! He has presented numerous challenges to the peace of the household (both two-legged and four-legged) and the skills, patience, and forbearance of the trainer. With all the special-needs dogs who have come through my life, Abernathy is teaching us about behavioral medicine as well as physical medicine. Abernathy is certifiable on our list as a terrierist. Even with a history full of challenges, Abernathy has matured – which gives all of us hope!
Contact us for more information or to schedule an AAA/T session with Abernathy for you or your client(s).
|
|
|
In addition, the following people may assist with your consultation needs:
Douglas C. Howie, P.E.
Doug is a licensed Delta Pet Partners Instructor and Team Evaluator. He has been providing AAA/T with dogs in medical, psychiatric, and rehabilitation settings since 1990. Even though he is licensed as an engineer, he is a fun guy to be with.
Jennifer Hamilton, M.A.
Jenny is a licensed Delta Pet Partners Instructor and Team Evaluator. She co-founded an AAA/T program at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California, in the mid-1980s. She has provided consultation to facilities wishing to begin AAA/T programs, and she has been providing AAA/T in medical, psychiatric, rehabilitation, and chemical dependency settings since 1990.
Dannina Sabia, B.S.
Danni with Troi
Danni is the Coordinator of the Providence Animal-Assisted Activities & Therapy Program serving Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington. She recruits, trains, and supervises human-animal volunteer teams who visit with diverse patient populations, and she provides training for facility staff who utilize AAA/T services. She has developed and presented classes for Delta Society, including How to Start a Visiting-Animal Group and Overcoming the Challenges of Administering an AAA/T Program. Danni received her undergraduate degree from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, where her focus of study was AAA/T with elders.
Contact us for more information or to schedule consultation with Danni.
|
