Sharing our love of shelties with others is a beautiful relationship and it brings unique benefits to the human-animal interaction bond and to those who need it most. Our goal is to extend the breadth of animal assisted therapy, education, and activities.
Shelties and Sunflowers provides animal-assisted intervention programs that use trained and therapy certified shelties (Shetland Sheepdogs). We work with our shelties in a therapeutic and educational setting. We look to correctly interpret the body language of both the people and animals in our program and working environments. This means we need to understand the dog’s cognition and emotions as equally as we do our human partners. We are very grateful for the knowledge gained through our partnerships with Happy K9 Club and PetCo professional dog training activities which allows us to satisfy this important goal.
We are excited to know that our shelties can provide calmness, comfort, safety, and divert attention from stressful situations and toward one that provides pleasure. As advocates of animal-assisted activities, our sheltie bonds help people develop a sense of self-worth, trust, and stabilizing emotions as well as improve communications and social skills.
Shelties and Sunflowers is part of your community and we serve our neighbors and friends with the following mobile animal-assisted services and programs that are extended to a wide variety of our clients including:
Seniors and Care Giver Assistance
Shelties and Sunflowers render senior and care giver assisted services to assisted living facilities, nursing homes and hospitals. The benefits of an animal-assisted visit can have life altering effects that improve one's overall health and quality of life.
Activities performed during visits include petting, brushing, walking, or simply snuggling. These activities help keep seniors engaged and gives them individual purpose, while at the same time lowering stress levels and promoting socialization.
Statistics from the National Center for Assisted living determined that Florida has over:
- 2,400 assisted living communities
- 75,100 beds
- 47% of the residents are over the age of 85 and
- 46% have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
See website https://www.ahcancal.org/ncal/facts/Pages/State-Data.aspx
Latest findings from the National Center for Health Statistics determined in 2016:
- 65,600 paid, regulated long-term care services providers
- 5 major sectors
- 8.3 million people served in the United States
Long-term care services were provided by:
- 4,600 adult day care service centers,
- 12,200 home health agencies
- 4,300 hospices
- 15,600 nursing homes
- 28,900 assisted living facilities.
See website https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/nursing-home-care.htm
Key Facts from Florida Health Care Association determined there are:
- 691 licensed nursing homes
- 84,448 beds
- 71,000 residents serviced
Special Needs Assistance
Shelties and Sunflowers coordinates animal-assisted activities with Special Needs individuals and community organizations.
When it comes to addressing special needs, animal-assisted therapy should not be underestimated. The University of Cambridge 2017 research determined children get more satisfaction from pet bonding than with their brothers and sisters. The use of dogs helps improve self-esteem, reduce anxiety, increase communications, and increase morale. Shelties and Sunflowers therapy dogs’ programs can augment traditional physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
Shelties and Sunflowers appreciates the fact that the choice of an appropriate animal-assisted activity is largely dependent on the child’s likes and dislikes, as well as therapeutic needs. We are able to work with doctors and therapists who are already working with a child. The primary focus is goal oriented and individually structured for each child.
Early Learning Children Assistance
Adventures in Reading Programs
We believe every child seeks knowledge through playful adventures and stories.
Learning increases when sharing adventures with friends and with our gracious and attentive “all ears” shelties.
Adventures in Reading programs and author William McDonald help children develop reading and active skills while learning how to handle sensitive and difficult topics facing children and parents today. Author William McDonald’s published materials are children friendly, use colorful pictures, and are available at www.williamemcdonald.com
Applying positive words and “interactive bird house toys” to address each situation.
Shelties and Sunflowers is partnering with author William McDonald to purchase his materials for classroom therapy.
- Why are 3 young birds being told by their parents that they are not allowed to play together?
- Why do they play with each other anyway?
- What happens when one of them gets into trouble and the parents find out?
Our three friends are having a great time on their adventures, but Joy doesn’t seem to be having as much fun.
- What is wrong with Joy?
- Who is JJ, and what is he up to?
- Will Joy talk to anyone about what is wrong, or will she just keep it to herself?
College Student Assistance
Shelties and Sunflowers coordinates animal-assisted activities with universities during mid-terms and finals week. This intervention helps to decrease student stress and anxiety commonly present during important timeframe. It is our goal to help relieve the pressures associated with student exam activities and enhance the students’ confidence.
Patient Recovery and Rehabilitation Assistance
Dogs who work to improve the lives of people they have visited are now recognized by the AKC.
In addition to Shelties and Sunflower therapy dogs and their owners volunteering in settings such as schools, libraries, child care centers, hospitals, nursing homes and campuses, we also assist patients through recovery and rehabilitation at home or at the therapy facility.
These visits are documented with time, date, location, and a signature of a staff person or individual served. Our shelties and rescue dogs love the visitation and the attention. Clients and patients visited get the joy from the dog companionship and our volunteers. A therapy dog visitation will:
- Lift spirits and stimulate conversation and interaction
- Encourage a withdrawn patient to respond
- Ease depression and loneliness
- Create calmness and tranquility
- Invites a healthy environment for medical staff and patients
