Second international conference on innovations in the field of animal-assisted therapeutic interventions in Israel and abroad
School for Animal-Assisted Therapy
Magid Institute
Hebrew University, Jerusalem
Founders and leaders in the field of animal-assisted therapeutic interventions from Israel and abroad will attend the conference to discuss innovations and new uses of this field for the public. Also attending are graduates from the various training programs, therapeutic horseback riding instructors, psychologists, social workers and therapists.
In addition to learning and information exchange, several key issues will be discussed, including the need for further research, questions of ethics in the therapeutic process, animal welfare, and the necessity and significance of relevant training.
The conference will be held in several locations nationwide to increase accessibility to the public.
The first day will be held in the Hebrew University Mount Scopus campus; this will be filmed and broadcast to leading institutions abroad.
The second day will begin with a morning session in Shaare Zedek Medical Center (invitees only), and then continue with an afternoon session in the Magid Institute campus in Tel Aviv.
The third day of the conference will be dedicated to a practical workshop, held in the “Havayot Center”
We hope to see you,
Warmest wishes,
Dr. Yoni Yehuda
Director of Magid Institute’s School of Animal Assisted Therapeutic Interventions
Monday, May 6 2013 – Truman Auditorium, Mount Scopus campus, Hebrew University, Jerusalem
08:00-09:00 Registration
09:00-10:00 Greetings and opening remarks
Prof. Hanoch Gutfreund – Chairman, Magid Institute, former Hebrew University President
Dr. Yoni Yehuda – Director, School for Animal-Assisted Therapy in Magid Institute and Practicum.
Prof. Erhard Olbrich – Germany, ISAAT President
Dr. Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers – Holland, Vice-President, Conference Director for IAHAIO
Ms. Michal Yilloz - School for Animal-Assisted Therapy Program Graduate, manager of Animal online portal
Prof. Erhard Olbrich
Lecture: Animals helping Humans (via Skype)
Dr. Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers
About IAHAIO
Ms. Michal Yilloz
Animal online portal
10:10-10:25
Changes in social-emotional Behavior and attention span during animal-assisted activities with children with psychiatric problems, living in a residential setting.
Dr. Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers
10:25-10:55
Human-Animal Connections: Graduate Training at the University of Denver
Graduate School of Social Work
Prof. Philip Tedeschi
10:55-11:15 – Questions
11:15-11:30 - Coffee Break
11:30-12:00
Evaluation in Action: Helping not hindering the development of AAA / AAT / AAE
Dr. Gillian Squirrell
12:00-12:30
Organization and Animal-Assisted Literacy: A Supportive Environment for C.Z.Q Constrained and Unconstrained Learning
Dr. Esther Delisle
12:30-13:00 – Questions
13:00-14:00 – Lunch Break, open forum discussion and booths
14:00-15:00
EAGALA - Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning, EAL EAP
Ms. Lynn Thomas
15:00-15:55 (Lecture via Skype)
How Integrated Animal and Nature- Based Activities Enhance Social Learning and Personal Transformation at Green Chimneys
Mr. Michael E. Kaufmann
15:55-16:55 (Lecture via Skype)
Perspectives of the importance of the human-animal bond
Dr. Samuel B. Ross, Jr.
17:00-17:25
Protecting Israeli wildlife and the perception of the Nature and Parks Authority of animal-assisted therapy
Mr. Ori Linial
17:25-17:40 – Coffee Break
Therapeutic Interventions with Dogs:
17:40-18:00
Working Dogs working lives: Raising the bar for canine facilitated learning
Dr. Gillian Squirrell
18:00-18:20
Autism guide dogs and changes in the quality of family life
Dr. Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers
18:20-18:40
Can any dog be therapy dog? Training dogs to assist in the therapeutic process, to help in rehabilitation (motor-function, emotional, mental)
Ms. Offri Hampe Shochat
18:40-19:05 (Lecture via Skype)
Training therapy dogs using the “Natural DogManship” method, a unique, holistic method based on understanding dogs nature and zoological behavior, creating a real partnership of mutual respect and harmony between man and dog.
Mr. Jan Nijboer
19:05-19:30 (Lecture via Skype)
Bergin University of Canine Studies: Understanding of the human-canine partnership through research and education, focus on assistance dog education, as well as more broadly based programs in canine science
Dr. Bonita Bergin
19:30-20:00
Panel Discussion: Questions and answers regarding therapeutic interventions using dogs
Mr. Jan Nijboer, Dr. Bonita Bergin, and Ms. Offri Hampe Shochat
20:00 - Summary
Dr. Yoni Yehuda
*Simultaneous translation to Hebrew will be provided
(Headphones will be given in exchange for 20 NIS and a an ID deposit)
Tuesday, May 7 2013 –
Morning Session: Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem (limited guest list)
9:00-9:20 – Meeting and dividing into groups
09:20-10:30 – Alternating group meetings
** Tour of the hospital petting zoo and in the Shaare Zedek wards
Ms. Hemda Didovski
**Working with respiratory and unconscious patients. Short-term therapy, therapeutic interventions in inpatient care, in surgery and others.
Dr. Yoni Yehuda
10:30-10:35 Break
10:35-11:15
Opportunities for Animal-Assisted Therapy in the Emergency Department.
Dr. Rachel Hammel
11:15-11:35
Why is right, positive and permissible to work with animals in hospitals?
Prof. Yechiel Schlesinger
11:35-11:55
Animal-assisted therapy in the Shaare Zedek children’s wards
Ms. Hemda Didovski
11:55 – Summary
Afternoon Session: Magid Institute Campus, Tel Aviv
13:00-14:00 – Registration and booths
Animal welfare while raising and preparing animals for therapy work:
14:00-14:15 – Opening remarks
Dr. Yoni Yehuda
14:15-14:40
Using cognitive bias paradigms to asses the emotional state of animals
Dr. Uri Pomerantz
14:40-15:05
The conflict between the animal’s needs and the therapeutic needs of people
Dr. Ravit Friedman
15:05-15:30
Environmental enrichment for animals in captivity
Dr. Ofra Galili Abramovitz
15:30-16:00
The dynamic guidance model for animal-assisted therapy - how to combine the concept of a psychoanalytic attitude to psychotherapy training, with reference to the unique characteristics of the therapeutic work settings, including animals and other "natural" elements (eg working in petting zoo or horse riding farm).
Mr. Dor Roitman
16:00-16:50
Panel Discussion: Ethics and Rules
Prof Philip Tedeschi, Dr. Gillian Squirrell, Ms. Lynn Thomas, Dr. Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers, Dr. Esther Delisle, and Dr. Yoni Yehuda
16:50-17:00 – Break
Animal-assisted therapy with the elderly
17:00-17:25
Animals and friends: An end to loneliness and depression! About animals and the elderly
Ms. Liza Amouyal
17:25-17:55
Creating a therapeutic bond using animals, touch, movement and sound
Ms. Dafna Golan-Shemesh
17:55-18:20
Turn on the Switch Phenomenon
Dr. Esther Delisle
18:20-18:45
Visiting dogs in geronto-psychiatry: sources of emotions and social lubricants
Dr. Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers
18:45-19:00 – Break
19:00-19:25
Fish of Hope – The fish as a key to unlock the mind and mediate between a an imprisoned woman and her children
Dganit Yaari
19:30 – Graduate ceremony for the 6th graduating class of the program
20:00 – Summary
Dr. Yoni Yehuda
* There will not be simultaneous translation to Hebrew of lectures on the second day
Wednesday, May 8 2013 – Workshop in “Havayot” Center
Equine-assisted therapy
10:00-10:30
Registration in “Havayot” Center
10:30-11:00 – Opening remarks
Dr. Yoni Yehuda
Greetings: Mr. Davidi Perl, Head of Gush Atzion regional council
11:00-12:00
An instructional tour of “Havayot” Center – a clinical animal-assisted therapy center
Dr. Yoni Yehuda
12:00-12:25
The horse as a psychoanalytical sofa – examining equine-assisted therapy from the psychodynamic perspective
Ms. Tal-Li Aviv Cohen
12:25-13:00
Therapeutic horseback riding in Israel – Current update
Ms. Laurence Ikan
13:00-13:45 – Lunch Break
13:45-14:10 – Riding all the way to the podium
Mr. Gili Kremer
14:00-14:25
Demonstration – Mr. Shmuel Shihrur
14:30-15:45
EAGALA Workshop
Ms. Lynn Thomas, Ms. Tal-Li Aviv Cohen, Dr. Yoni Yehuda
15:45-16:30
Panel Discussion: How to train therapeutic horseback riding therapists?
Ms. Laurence Ikan , Ms. Tal-Li Aviv Cohen, Prof. Philip Tedeschi, Ms. Lynn Thomas, Mr. Gili Kremer, and Dr. Yoni Yehuda
16:30-16:45 – Break
16:45-18:00
Dog Workshop
(we recommend that participants bring their dogs to this workshop - but please keep in mind they will have to wait an entire day before it begins)
Ms. Offri Hampe Shochat
18:00 – Summary
Dr. Yoni Yehuda
* There will not be simultaneous translation to Hebrew of lectures on the third day
** It is possible that workshops will be conducted concurrently due to number of participants
***Participants of this day are required to wear shoes (not sandals) and bring a hat
Conference attendees
Dr. Bonita Bergin -Dr. Bergin, President, founded the Bergin University of Canine Studies, has worked continuously over the past 37 year on the development and improvement service/assistance dog training.
Dr. Esther Delisle- Esther Delisle Ph.D in political science, secretary of the professional body representing the certified animal assisted therapists in Quebec: La Corporation des zoothérapeutes du Québec, Québec university.
Michael E. Kaufmann -Director of Green Chimneys Farm and Wildlife Center/ Sam and Myra Ross Institute.
Jan Nijboer- Founder of the Natural DogManship international center, providing training that includes special education and dog-assisted therapy. Founder of the SAM nonprofit organization (training service and therapy dogs for people with special needs).
Prof Erhard Olbrich-Professor of Psychology, President of the International Society of Animal Assisted Therapy.
Mr. Samuel B. Ross- Ph.D. Founder of Green Chimneys, and Managing Director, The Friends of Green Chimneys.
Dr. Rachel Hammel- McDowell, MD, FACEP. Attending ED physician at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, IL (Level I Trauma Center). Senior/Consulting physician at Terem.
Dr. Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers- Vice President Conferences IAHAIO, founder and president of AAIZOO (Animal Assisted Interventions in Zorg (Care), Onderzoek (Research), Onderwijs (Education) and is President of the Taskforce Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse in the Netherlands.
Dr. Gillian Squirrell, FRSA- She is researching and developing work on canines and issues of human social exclusion through programmes of canine facilitated learning. She volunteers with local humane society and social therapy programmers).
Prof Philip Tedeschi- an Animal-Assisted Social Work and Experiential Therapy Specialist and founder of the Institute for Human–Animal Connection programs at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW).
Ms. Lynn Thomas- MA in social work, founder of EAGALA.
Ms. Tal-Li Aviv Cohen – Clinical and educational psychologist, family therapist and certified hypnotist, certified therapeutic riding instructor and EAGALA therapist. Currently completing her doctoral studies. Lecturer in the Magid Institute’s School for Animal-Assisted Therapy, Hebrew University, Jerusalem.
Ms. Laurence Ikan - Founder and Head of therapeutic riding professional committee.
Ms. Liza Amouyal – Animal rights activist, chairwoman of the “Lema’an Chai” organization, founder of the JDC Israel-ESHEL animal-assisted program for the elderly.
Ms. Dafna Golan-Shemesh – Therapeutic social worker specializing in creative expression and animal-assisted therapist, lecturer in the Magid Institute’s School for Animal-Assisted Therapy, Hebrew University, Jerusalem.
Dr. Ofra Galili Abramovitz, D.V.M – Specializes in behavioral problems. Works in the Behavioral Clinic in the Animal Hospital, Hebrew University and Beit Dagan. Lecturer in the Magid Institute’s School for Animal-Assisted Therapy, Hebrew University, Jerusalem and other institutions.
Ms. Hemda Didovski – Manager of the Shaare Zedek Medical Center petting zoo, graduate of Magid Institute.
Dr. Yoni Yehuda – Director of Magid Institute’s School of Animal-Assisted Therapy, a pioneer and leader in the field in Israel and the world. Founder and director of the “Havayot” Center, lecturer in colleges and universities in Israel and abroad. Dr. Yehuda developed the module “Animal Assisted Therapy: Therapeutic Triangles- Psychotherapy Implementations in the work with Animals.” This model has provided inspiration for a 3-part series of stamps that describe its process. He is an expert on the raising and training of animals for therapy work, and has great experience in animal-assisted work with a range of vet-technician populations. He is an expert in animal-assisted care, having completed his M.Ed. in special education and education administration, and Ph.D. in psychology. He is also EAGALA certified in equine-assisted psychotherapeutic care.
Ms. Michal Yilloz – M.B.A in Business Management, graduate of the School for Animal-Assisted Therapy Program, founder and manager of Animal online portal.
Dganit Yaari – Animal-assisted trainer and specialist therapist in the prison service. Animal-assisted therapy instructor and group mentor.
Mr. Ori Laniel – B.A. in Animal Sciences, M.A. in Environmental and Natural Resource Management. Has built petting zoos, fish pools and aquariums, manages petting zoos, the Prat River natural park reserve, Jordan Valley region supervisor, and head of wildlife maintenance.
Dr. Ori Pomerantz – Zoology Department, Life Sciences Faculty, Tel Aviv University, behavior science researcher.
Dr. Ravit Friedman – Lecturer in Magid Institute’s School of Animal-Assisted Therapy and Veterinary School of Hebrew University.
Mr. Gili Kremer – Occupational therapist, certified therapeutic horse riding instructor," EAGALA" certified, riding instructor, director of therapeutic horse riding in “Havayot” Center, completing masters degree in educational consultancy.
Mr. Dor Ravitman – M.A., specializing in clinical psychology in outpatient clinic for youth in Abarbanel Hospital. Animal-assisted therapist, therapist trainer and social worker.
Ms. Ofri Shohat – Trained in dog-assisted care in Assistance Dog Institute, Bergin University of Canine Studies, California USA.
Prof. Yechiel Schlesinger – Specialist on infectious diseases, Director of Children Ward, Shaare Zedek Medical Center.