Contact us at halo@yourhalofoundation.org
HUMAN ANIMAL LINK OF OKLAHOMA FDN
Canine Inspired Therapy, Interventions, and Activities
Serving the Oklahoma Metro Area
The Therapy Dog's Purpose
"Human Animal Link of Oklahoma speaks to the fact that therapy dogs and humans do form cherished relationships of great value. A non-judgmental force, our dogs, can calm emotional and physical challenges we may experience. They are quiet in voice but speak with strength and comfort by their presence alone. They are incapable of making false promises as to our welfare but are forever listening even though we may not make much sense. They offer moments of simple joy and peace, reaching into minds and hearts to communicate with those who may have shut out the human factor. How quickly they are blind to our shortcomings and focus on
our greatest strengths."
-Terri Smith
Human Animal Link of Oklahoma FDN Making a Difference
Our Mission
We believe in the health and wellness our therapy dogs deliver to those who find themselves living in times of crisis, trauma, and transition. They are a driving force leading us to experience a sincere relationship, maybe for the first time ever.
The Therapy Dog Team
The therapy dog handler must have awareness of personal strengths and vulnerabilities. You and your pet will be facing a variety of emotionally charged situations in many different environments. You must be calm, flexible, personable, and articulate. Reliability and consistency, appropriate social behaviors, and a professional approach are necessary while acting as a resource to our many partnerships. The handler must be able to interact and engage with a variety of personalities. Your dog must have a high level of obedience with a wonderful temperament, be in total control in response to your direction, and be well groomed at all times. The team must be a representative of stability and a quiet strength while volunteering as an animal assisted therapy resource.
Defining Animal Assisted Therapy, Intervention, and Activities
Our dogs can assist in adding a nudge toward emotional, social, and physical growth. Animal Assisted Therapy occurs when we work together with a licensed professional assisting clients toward achieving specific measurable goals. Animal assisted interventions and activities occur when we meet with people to comfort or for healthy social interaction. Our pets can be the catalyst that may be effective in minimizing temporary or ongoing crisis or trauma.
Volunteer Opportunities
H.A.L.O. teams can onboard for service to schools and universities, libraries, or participate in agency directed in-services. Hospitals and health care facilities are in need of this resource as are youth shelters and special services. H.A.L.O. teams can be badged to engage with travelers entering or leaving our state at Will Rogers International Airport. Teams are given the opportunity with guidance to choose their desired venue.
Does H.A.L.O. Provide Training?
H.A.L.O. is not a training organization. We expect the team to have completed extensive obedience training before application is made. We do offer suggestions that may help you and your dog to achieve certification, but the end result is a product of you, the Handler, being consistent in helping your dog to become the best agent he or she can be. It all starts with you, stays with you, and continues with you. As a Handler, you must be able to conform to H.A.L.O.'s guidelines all the time, every time.
Is Insurance Provided?
Yes, our liability insurance consists of commercial general liability to teams in excellent standing only in the state of Oklahoma. Should a team have difficulty following the guidelines of H.A.L.O. and our partnerships, insurance can and will be revoked. The team must always be cognizant of safe practices.
The certification process
The Initial Evaluation
All therapy dog application documents will be reviewed as complete and acceptable to the Intake Coordinator before the initial evaluation is scheduled. Videos of the dog and Handler socializing while demonstrating obedience skills is a very important part of making application. These can be sent via email or arranged to be viewed in another format. Should the evaluation begin, presentation of temperament and disposition must be consistent with the videos at the risk of ceasing the assessment.
The team enters the evaluation site controlled and poised. The handler should be dressed neatly and the dog well-groomed. E-collars, prong, or pinched collars are prohibited as are harnesses. Retractable leashes may not be used.
Evaluators and a H.A.L.O. therapy dog will meet the prospective team at the entry. The dog is examined to determine temperament first. As this most important step is successful, we move forward to obedience skills demonstrated in a wide variety of exercises.
The team should present a professional and welcoming unit. The relationship between handler and dog must be clearly observed. The dog should look to the handler in order to understand expectations. A beautiful, friendly dog is not necessarily a therapy dog. The handler/dog bond should be securely established, and the dog must be willing to engage with evaluators and others at the site in an engaging and pleasant manner.
Key Evaluation Points for Handlers and Pets
Candidates must be well adjusted members of the family. This pet partner must be drawn toward people and able to be at home in many facilities. Situations are different, and common sense demands a high level of obedience, proper hygiene, and obvious veterinarian care. The team is evaluated for the resource they can provide professionally and with integrity, yet the evaluators will see beyond and look for the wealth each team can offer in many different environments.
HANDLER REQUIREMENTS
1. Your pet must have resided with you for at least one year and must be at least one year of age before evaluation. No other person may evaluate as handler other than the pet's owner.
2. Handlers must disclose any training the dog has been exposed to for personal protection. Schutzhund sport training falls into this category.
3. Prior to the evaluation, the Handler must present a current veterinarian report with all vaccinations current.
4. The dog must be well groomed, free from infections, sores, or stitches, and may not be on antibiotics or anti-fungal medication at the time of the evaluation. Ears must be clean and have no odor, and no excess drainage from the eyes. Nails must be smooth and pads soft. Females in season will not be evaluated during this time. Shedding must be under control, as well as skin dandruff.
5. Should the pet be carried in for the evaluation, the handler must still have a regulation leash, a basket, blanket, towel, or covering of some sort. Don't forget your dog's brush!
6. Should the Handler or pet have a disability, the handler will inform the evaluator previously in order that proper accommodations may be provided.
7. Two dogs of the same family must be evaluated on separate dates.
8. The handler must come into the evaluation at ease. If anxious or tense, that travels down the leash and the best of pets become nervous.
9. While making visits, the handler is responsible to outfit the pet with proper equipment. Collars and leashes should not be fashion statements for working dogs. They must fit properly and be in good taste. E-collars, slip, prong, or pinch collars are prohibited, as are retractable leashes.
Pet Requirements:
1. Does my pet socially accept people with their dogs without aggression, timidity, or anxiety?
2. Does my pet enjoy being groomed, or does he become anxious or nip when certain parts of his body are handled?
3. When we take walks, is my dog at my side controlling the urge to cross over, pull, or tug when distracted or excited?
4. When it is necessary to make a quick turn, does my dog become confused and break his alignment to me?
5. Is my dog able to walk at my side even though we may walk through crowds of people or encounter excessive noise and confusion?
6. Does my dog demonstrate the commands "Heel, Sit, Stay, Down, Leave It, Off, and Come?"
7. As we walk, can my dog pass food or objects which may be on the floor, in the hand of another, or in a garbage pail before or when given the command, "Leave It?"
8. Is my dog anxious or aggressive when other pets are around?
9. Is my dog able to be away from me for a short period of time without anxiety?
10. Does my dog become withdrawn or visibly overwhelmed when people are crying, lethargic, or angry?
11. Is my dog visibly sensitive to crowds, smells, weather changes, or certain drastic changes in the people in any given environment?
12. Is my dog partial to children, teens, adults, or elderly? Does he react the same to different races and cultures?
13. When presented with a loud crash or annoying noise, does my dog quickly recover or show avoidance by hiding behind me?
14. Does my dog bark when entering, inside of, or when leaving an environment?
15. Does my dog respond by fear or anxiety when a reasonable or unexpected weight is placed on the body?
16. Is my dog one who loves to mouth objects or the human skin? Does my dog become involved in excessive licking?
Making Application
Please download these forms and submit with a photo of your dog and current veterinary records. Note: The OSBI background check is conducted by OSBI. Upon return to you, the Requestor, it is then sent to H.A.L.O. FDN.
Our Mission
At H.A.L.O., our mission is to enhance the lives of individuals through the power of animal-assisted therapy. We strive to provide certified therapy dogs and their handlers to various facilities, ensuring impactful interventions and activities.
Contact
Terri Smith, Founder & CEO
Human Animal Link of Oklahoma FDN
Need to have answers to your questions regarding the process toward therapy dog certification? H.A.L.O.'s promise is to guide and direct, teach and discuss exactly what is needed from both pet owner and dog in order to be determined a therapy dog team.
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Capturing Our Mission: A Photo Story of Human Animal Link of Oklahoma FDN
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