Community Pet Partners Program
What is
the essence of this program? Sharing Pet Partners with the
community rather than only one facility. It is about a community
group of dogs and their owners available to bring smiles,
hope and fun to patient and residents. Lastly, this program
is about having dogs and their owners licensed to ensure the
dogs enjoy interacting with people, to make certain the dog
owners are educated and will enjoy working with health care
patients, and to maximize safety for all involved.
Research Program
Why do dogs help people get well? The Upper Michigan Dog Therapy
Partnership is helping find the answer. In cooperation with
Northern Michigan University, the Partnership is providing
Pet Partners to graduate students in the Department of Speech
and Hearing who are studying the effectiveness and efficiency
of animal assisted therapy.
A highlight of our cooperative efforts took place in March
2000. Research conducted by a student demonstrated Pet Partners
were able to facilitate increased communication from a young
patient suffering from expressive language delay.
"And the winner of the Outstanding Student Research Poster
Session Award is Ms. Simmi Mosier," was the last thing
Simmi had on her mind as she was rewarded for her research
efforts at the Michigan Speech and Hearing Conference, held
in March. Simmi, who has now officially graduated from NMU
said, " I can't thank the Upper Michigan Dog Therapy
Partnership's Margo and Mocha, and Judy and Steele enough.
I could have never done this research with out their help."
If you would like more information about our research endeavors,
would like to participate with your Pet Partner, or would
be interested in performing research using resources from
the Upper Michigan Dog Therapy Partnership, please contact
us.
Upper Michigan Dog
Therapy Partnership
Attention:
Shari Smith - Recreational Therapy
580 W. College Ave.
Marquette, MI 49855
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Sharon Morcom and Murphy

Janice Flemming and Jace

Rhonda Hoover and Zac
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