Canine Therapy Corps, Inc.

The foundation of Canine Therapy Corps' successful animal-assisted therapy (AAT) program is the strength of the human-animal bond, which encourages and empowers individuals facing and overcoming personal challenges. The continuous and immediate positive feedback provided in AAT sessions catalyzes the motivation necessary to push through the hard work and pain of therapy, which is a lifetime project for many of our clients. In addition, sharing their love and compassion, and working as a team serving the community, deepens the bond between a handler and his or her dog.

Canine Therapy Corps collaborates with professionals at highly respected Chicago area hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation facilities to develop program curricula for children and adults, both in and outpatient, recovering from a number of challenges such as catastrophic accidents, illnesses, strokes, surgeries, substance abuse, or abuse at the hands of a family member or caregiver. We also serve children with chronic illnesses like cerebral palsy and those with chronic conditions like autism, Down syndrome, and mood and behavior disorders.

Canine Therapy Corps currently provides therapy dogs to the following institutions in the Chicago metropolitan area:
- ADVOCATE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL - PARK RIDGE, with children who have cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and other chronic medical challenges.
- CHICAGO CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER, visitation with children, who have suffered sexual abuse and assault, awaiting appointments with treating professionals at a multidisciplinary facility.
- EASTER SEALS THERAPEUTIC SCHOOL AND CENTER FOR AUTISM RESEARCH, with children and adolescents on the autism spectrum.
- HAYMARKET CENTER, with adults in a residential substance abuse recovery program and teens in a court-mandated outpatient substance abuse recovery program.
- JESSE BROWN VA MEDICAL CENTER, with veterans being treated for a myriad of mental illnesses, such as chronic post-traumatic stress disorder, severe depression, and other mental illnesses, at the hospital's outpatient psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery center.
- LAWRENCE HALL, with children and adolescents who have severe emotional and behavioral challenges due to trauma, abuse, and neglect
- NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, visitation with inpatients and outpatients in medical, oncology, neuro/ortho/spine, and mental health departments.
- SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITYLAB, with clients of all ages recovering from spinal cord injuries, head trauma, burns, and other physical trauma.
- RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, with clients of all ages recovering from physical trauma
- SWEDISH COVENANT HOSPITAL, with adult inpatients recovering from strokes, joint replacements, and other physical trauma.

Approximately 65 dogs of all breeds, shapes, and sizes (from Pomeranians to pit bulls to Irish Wolfhounds) have passed our rigorous therapy dog certification test and promote healing, health, and hope. Over 100 people work in our programs; developing new and innovative applications for animal-assisted therapy; staffing outreach events and our program evaluation efforts; educating the community about animal-assisted therapy and humane issues; publishing our newsletter; and planning fundraising events.