Our Books
Service Trained Facility Dogs
SERVICE TRAINED FACILITY DOGS: Creating a Dog Program in your Facility or Agency answers the question that other professionals are asking; "How do you get a dog program up and running in a facility or agency?" The book is an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide to beginning a facility-dog program. The book reviews the process from start to finish; covering brain research, program funding, choosing a dog, socializing, training, mistakes to avoid, and working with your dog and your colleagues to support clients young and old in different facilities. This fun, straightforward, guide to developing a program of your own is a must read for anyone with the desire to develop an animal-assisted intervention with dogs. It will inspire you to begin a dog program of your own.
Catherine Ricchetti, LCSWR has been a social worker since 1988. Much of her career has been working with children and families. She began a facility-dog program in 2003. She has helped to expand this program in the school district where she works. She lectures and teaches other professionals how to develop facility dog programs.
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A few quotes from our students and parents:
She calms me. She just sits there and plays with you.
Fifth-grade boy
With Miss Siggy and me, I calm her basically. She sort of asks me to pet her. I help her settle her bad thoughts. I’m her psychiatrist, sort of.
Fourth-grade girl
That Miss Sigmund! She helped my daughter get to school!
A parent
What other professionals are saying:
I cannot rave enough about how much I learned with regard to how Catherine Ricchetti integrates social work values and skills in her with skills in her with the trained dogs and in response to her students' social and emotional needs. What an outstanding program; what an accomplished social worker and how truly wonderful to hear about and share the successes and inspiring stories that have come out of this program.
Lois Stein, DSW, LMSW Long Island University
Catherine and her canine colleagues are a wonderful representation of the special relationship between humans and dogs. As social workers, we are always looking for the best and most innovative, and creative ways to engage with our clients. Catherine's program illustrates just how valuable and intuitive dogs can be, and how people can help cultivate recovery and dignity through this special bond.
Kimberly Eisen, MSW-Program Director NASW-NYS
Catherine has systemically changed how we are educating by adding dogs to our schools. It's quite an accomplishment. In a career, few of us will get to infuse such change.
Peter Brabrant Guilderland Schools Principal
The Canine Nitty-Gritty
The Canine Nitty Gritty: How to Build a Facility Dog Program highlights how Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) in the helping professions is an expanding field. Professionals hearing and learning about the benefits of canine assisted interventions are asking for help to develop programs at a rapid pace throughout the United States and Europe. Professionals hoping to add a canine to their facilities are in need of canine science professionals who have dog handling expertise and can understand their professions and their professional goals. That’s where we come in! This manual is written by canine experts who also have expertise in the fields of mental health and education. They have been developing facility dog programs for professionals since 2003.
Do you want to build a dog program at work but have no idea how to begin? Do you wonder if you could train a canine for this work? This easy to read, practical manual will support professionals who want to add a dog to their facility to enhance their work with students and clients. This book is all about the canine. It’s a practical dog training book that will help you build a safe, well thought out, fun facility dog program where through your advocacy your dog will thrive, and your clients will too!
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What other professionals are saying:
HOW TO BUILD A FACILITY DOG PROGRAM is much more than a manual – channeling the voice of experience, it teaches, guides, and generously shares best practice that will lead to success..
Michael Kauffman, Director, Green Chimneys Farm and Wildlife Center, Sam and Myra Ross Institute
Oh how I wish everyone involved in canine AAI and AAT had read this book before getting involved! It’s thorough without being overly detailed, and engaging while never forgetting the seriousness of the work. Kudos to the authors; this is a must-have manual for anyone interested in a facility dog program, and a boon to anyone involved in AAI and AAT.
Patricia McConnell, PhD, CAAB Emeritus, author of The Education of Will
A very sane, sensible, humane guide.
Ricchetti and Stevens advocate well for the dogs while taking into account the needs of the clients—not an easy task.
Jane Kopelman, CPDT-KA, Owner, All About Dogs, Inc.
Catherine Ricchetti’s and Kathy Stevens's book, "The Canine Nitty Gritty: How To Build A Facility Dog Program," is an essential guide for anyone considering starting a dog program in their facility. This book is written with a compassionate understanding of your dog’s needs and how to advocate for them. Their advice on how to make the program a success comes from decades of experience. I hope their book reaches facilities and schools far and wide!
Suzanne Goodwin, author of “The Whole Puppy, A Handbook For Raising and Understanding Your Soft-Natured Companion.”
News On Paws 2 Connect
News Articles featuring our Staff, our Dogs, & our Facilities.
Albany Police Therapy Dog Saves Teen Girl In Crisis
Story from News 10: https://www.news10.com/news/local-news/albany-police-therapy-dog-saves-teen-girl-in-crisis/
Ricchetti wins statewide award for teaching service-dog programs
Story from Almont Enterprise Guilderland: https://altamontenterprise.com/09272018/ricchetti-wins-statewide-award-teaching-service-dog-programs
Wagging Tails Brighten School: Four-legged friends help students face fears, gain confidence, enjoy learning
Story from Times Union: https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Wagging-tails-brighten-school-5980639.php
Patting Puppies May Improve Test Scores
Story from Times Union: https://altamontenterprise.com/news/guilderland/02262015/patting-puppies-may-improve-test-scores
#IAmSocialWork: Catherine Ricchetti, LCSW-R and Copeland
Story from National Association of Social Workers New York State Chapter: https://naswnys.org/iamsocialwork-catherine-ricchetti-lcsw-r-and-copeland/