Episode 33: Wendy Coombe (Founder of Animal Therapies Limited) - The Power of Assistance and Therapy Animals

The Empowered Parent with Dana Baltutis

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Have you ever wondered how an animal could transform your life? Meet Wendy Coombe, founder of Animal Therapies Limited, as she shares her poignant journey from a successful career to facing a debilitating nervous system collapse in 2014. Wendy's border collie, Jack, became her indispensable companion, helping her overcome anxiety and navigate public spaces. Inspired by her own struggles to get Jack recognized as an assistance dog, Wendy founded Animal Therapies Limited in 2018 to support others facing similar challenges.
In this episode, we demystify the roles and legal rights of assistance animals, companion animals, and therapy animals. Discover the unique contributions of each type and understand why training and public access are crucial for assistance animals. We also delve into the benefits and challenges of using therapy animals in sensitive environments like aged care homes. Learn how ensuring animals enjoy their roles is paramount to their effectiveness in therapeutic settings.
Join us as we explore the criteria for selecting and training assistance animals, including the importance of matching a dog's physical size and temperament to its tasks. You'll gain insights into the cost, duration, and ongoing training required to prepare these animals for their vital roles. Expand your understanding of animal-assisted therapy beyond dogs, from seizure alert animals to equine therapy, and discover the profound impact these animal-human interactions can have on emotional and mental health. This episode sheds light on the transformative power of animals and the essential role of qualified professionals in facilitating these therapeutic experiences.
https://animaltherapies.org.au/
Animal Therapies LTD is a fantastic organisation helping so many children and families. Your financial support would be most welcomed!

danabaltutis.com, mytherapyhouse.com.au, https://mytherapyhouse.com.au/your-childs-therapy-journey/ https://www.danabaltutis.com/services

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1. Episode 33: Wendy Coombe (Founder of Animal Therapies Limited) - The Power of Assistance and Therapy Animals (00:00:00)

2. Animal Therapies Limited (00:01:24)

3. Understanding Assistance, Companion, and Therapy Animals (00:17:13)

4. Selecting and Training Assistance Animals (00:34:09)

5. Animal-Assisted Therapy Beyond Assistance Animals (00:43:39)

6. Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy (00:51:48)