Jacquelyn N. Jaqua Occupational Therapy major
CONFERENCE PRESENTATION Jaqua, J., Gainforth, A. (SVSU student), Halder, B. (SVSU student), Hennessey, A. (SVSU student), Herlache, E., & Winkle, M. (2011, March). Techniques used by assistance dog organizations to assess emotional th readiness of clients: A survey. Paper presented at The 24 Annual Midwest Deans‘ Occupational Therapy Research Conference, St. Louis, MO. The researchers presented the findings of their survey study exploring the use and effectiveness of techniques used by assistance dog organizations to assess the emotional readiness of clients applying for assistance dogs. Working from the perspective of ―assistance dogs as a form of assistive technology,‖ the researchers presented an overview of the findings of their nationwide survey of Assistance Dogs International-affiliated training centers, including information regarding techniques utilized by training centers to assess the emotional readiness of assistance dog applicants, and the relative success of these techniques. The researchers also discussed approaches that professionals (such as occupational therapists) who work with assistance dog teams can use to promote successful client-dog matches.
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Saginaw Valley State University