In the first of the animal-assisted therapy podcasts, Nancy Bown, CPDT-KA, and Johnny C. interview Jim Cole, who is a member of the Intermountain Therapy Animals. Dog-Harmony is associated with Intermountain Therapy Animals and hosts therapy dog training and evaluation sessions.

Cole describes his own experience working with his therapy dog, Logan, at schools to help young children overcome emotional distress and literacy issues with repeat visits. Children can experience joy by having a dog present and become interested in reading. Over time, the children become more confident as their literacy skills improve as a result of the human connection with the dog and its handler.

Bown and Cole employ positive, reward-based training methods when working with dogs that have the right disposition for therapy animal work. They remind us that training a therapy dog, ideally from a young age, requires a commitment to develop a bond and a resilient dog over a long period.