Juvenile Canine Assisted Therapy (JCAT) is a non-profit occupational therapy based treatment program for juveniles who have exhibited delinquent behavior and have been placed in residential treatment centers. Residents who have met specified requirements will be presented with a dog which they will be responsible for taking care of as well as assisting in training throughout the duration of the pr
ogram. The JCAT organization will collaborate with local animal shelters to find dogs suitable to be trained as emotional support canines. Occupational therapists who have been trained and certified to perform animal assisted therapy (AAT) will facilitate various modules over the course of 6 months that are intended to connect the skills the juveniles have garnered in training the animals with skills required to thrive as a functional member of their community. The juveniles will be encouraged to be as independent as possible throughout the program with the OT’s providing education and support. Caring for and training the dogs is intended to promote independence, responsibility, social skills, mental health, and appropriate behavior in the juveniles. Juveniles participating in the program will be assessed prior to and following completion of the program in order to determine program effectiveness. Success will be determined based on significant improvements in functional participation and social socially cooperative behaviors.
*Note: This is a fictional program created for a class project.
