{"id":3100,"date":"2024-08-19T17:36:45","date_gmt":"2024-08-19T21:36:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/?page_id=3100"},"modified":"2025-03-08T12:55:51","modified_gmt":"2025-03-08T17:55:51","slug":"facility-dog-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/facility-dog-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Facility Dog Program"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"hero-container hero-container__hero-small_image\">\n  <div class=\"hero hero-small_image\">\n    <div class=\"hero__title_container\">\n      <h1 class=\"hero__title\">\n                  \n              <\/h1>\n              <nav class=\"breadcrumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\">\n\t<ol class=\"breadcrumbs__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\">Home<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\">Pages<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ol>\n<\/nav>      \n          <\/div>\n          <div class=\"hero__image-container\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/facility-dog-banner-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Six facility dogs sit in the Secret Garden.\"\/>\n      <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--text-html\">\n\t<div class=\"idf-block text-content\">\n\t\t<h2>Healing through a helpful paw<\/h2>\n<p>Dog-assisted therapy can play an important part in the rehabilitation process for patients with a neurological injury or condition. Shepherd Center has a team of facility dogs who bring joy and comfort to patients and take part in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, recreational therapy, and psychology in a fun and unique way.<\/p>\n<p>Facility dogs help motivate patients to reach their therapy goals through support and companionship. Learn more about our facility dog team and how they make a difference in our patients&#8217; lives.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--accordion idf-block accordion\" id=\"accordionFlush3684\">\n            <div class=\"accordion__accordion\">\n      <h2 class=\"accordion__title\" id=\"flush-heading_3684_1\">\n        <button class=\"accordion__trigger\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#flush-collapse_3684_1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"flush-collapse_3684_1\">\n          Facility dog qualifications<span class=\"sp-before-icon\"><\/span>\n        <\/button>\n      <\/h2>\n      <\/h2>\n      <div role=\"region\" id=\"flush-collapse_3684_1\" class=\"accordion__content\" aria-labelledby=\"flush-heading_3684_1\" data-bs-parent=\"#accordionFlush3684\">\n        <div class=\"accordion__content-wrap text-content\"><p>Shepherd Center has an ongoing relationship with Southeast &#8211; Canine Companions \u2013 a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained service dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. Since its founding in 1975, Canine Companions dogs and all follow-up services have been provided at no cost to their clients.   <\/p>\n<p>Canine Companions puppies are raised by volunteers who take them to puppy classes to teach them basic obedience and house manners. When the puppies are old enough to enter the professional training program, Canine Companions dogs come to one of six regional training centers in Northern California, Southern California, Texas, Ohio, New York, and Florida.  <\/p>\n<p>Once a dog has completed two years of professional training, it is matched with a handler, a Shepherd employee, who takes them home and is responsible for keeping up their training. The team is matched during Team Training, a two-week group class, at the Southeast Regional Training Center in Orlando, Florida. During Team Training, handlers learn to safely and effectively control, direct the dog to respond to commands it has learned, and assume responsibility for maintaining the health and well-being of the dog. The average service dog then works for eight years. After that, the dog retires from service and will spend its golden years as a pet.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n                                  <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n          <div class=\"accordion__accordion\">\n      <h2 class=\"accordion__title\" id=\"flush-heading_3684_2\">\n        <button class=\"accordion__trigger\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#flush-collapse_3684_2\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"flush-collapse_3684_2\">\n          Benefits of facility dog program<span class=\"sp-before-icon\"><\/span>\n        <\/button>\n      <\/h2>\n      <\/h2>\n      <div role=\"region\" id=\"flush-collapse_3684_2\" class=\"accordion__content\" aria-labelledby=\"flush-heading_3684_2\" data-bs-parent=\"#accordionFlush3684\">\n        <div class=\"accordion__content-wrap text-content\"><p>A facility dog is trained to perform service dog commands, including picking up items, opening doors, and providing calming pressure across the client\u2019s lap or body. Their trained skills can enhance therapies, promote participation, and reduce clients&#8217; anxiety in professional environments. A facility dog is bred to be calm, reliable, and affectionate to assist in developing independent living skills and increase confidence. Additionally, the handler can integrate a facility dog into various structured therapies and utilize it to facilitate social interactions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n                                  <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n          <div class=\"accordion__accordion\">\n      <h2 class=\"accordion__title\" id=\"flush-heading_3684_3\">\n        <button class=\"accordion__trigger\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#flush-collapse_3684_3\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"flush-collapse_3684_3\">\n          How facility dogs participate in a therapy session<span class=\"sp-before-icon\"><\/span>\n        <\/button>\n      <\/h2>\n      <\/h2>\n      <div role=\"region\" id=\"flush-collapse_3684_3\" class=\"accordion__content\" aria-labelledby=\"flush-heading_3684_3\" data-bs-parent=\"#accordionFlush3684\">\n        <div class=\"accordion__content-wrap text-content\"><p>Our dogs know up to 40 commands that help facilitate independence for our patients. Facility dogs may help people with mobility impairments, balance deficits, or psychiatric disorders. For users of manual or power wheelchairs, facility dogs can help with tasks such as retrieving items, opening things, switch use, transfer assistance, and barking for notification.<\/p>\n<p>Below are some skills we can work on during a therapy session:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Mobility and leash management:<\/strong> Practice leash handling with power chairs, manual chairs, walkers, or while walking without assistance.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cognitive and speech skills:<\/strong> Work on verbal commands, memory tasks, and speech exercises with the dogs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Strength and upper extremity engagement:<\/strong> Tasks like brushing, grooming, and petting help build upper extremity strength and coordination.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Core strengthening:<\/strong> Improve balance by sitting at the edge of a mat while playing fetch or engaging in tugging games.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Service dog education:<\/strong> Learn about the roles and benefits of service dogs in daily life.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Relaxation and comfort:<\/strong> Enjoy cuddles during stretching exercises for added motivation and relaxation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Behavioral and motivational support:<\/strong> Facility dogs help engage patients, especially those with behavioral challenges or low motivation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Distraction techniques:<\/strong> Provide a calming focus during uncomfortable activities such as stretching, casting, or other procedures.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Home skill training:<\/strong> Practice bathing the dogs as preparation for managing similar tasks at home.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fine motor skills development:<\/strong> Create tug straps or similar tools to work on fine motor control.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n                                  <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--text-html\">\n\t<div class=\"idf-block text-content\">\n\t\t<h2>Recovery through canine companionship<\/h2>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--video-embed\">\n          <figure class=\"video-embed aligncenter idf-block\">\n              <div class=\"video-embed__media-wrap\">\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Screenshot-2025-03-08-at-12.54.44\u202fPM.png\" alt=\"A physical therapist assists a young person sitting on a therapy table, supported by a strap. A service dog stands nearby, engaged with the person. A wheelchair and colorful artwork are visible in the background.\">\n                        <div data-vimeo-id=\"1016121475\" class=\"video--vim\"><\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                  <figcaption class=\"full-media__caption wp-caption-text\">\n            <div>Through their presence, our facility dogs help to create a warm and welcoming environment, aiding in the physical and emotional recovery of those we serve.<\/div>\n          <\/figcaption>\n                        <\/figure>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--text-html\">\n\t<div class=\"idf-block text-content\">\n\t\t<h2>Facility dogs in action, enhancing therapy and brightening smiles<\/h2>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--image-gallery\">\n    <figure class=\"idf-block is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-9 wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped has-caption\">\n        <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"807\" data-id=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/abi-inpatient-brain-injury-0002.jpg?ver=1732587202\" alt=\"A patient wearing a red shirt, shorts, and protective headgear, smiles and embraces a yellow Labrador retriever wearing a service dog harness. Both are seated in a room with medical supplies and a computer screen in the background.\" class=\"wp-image-200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/abi-inpatient-brain-injury-0002-1024x683.jpg?ver=1732587202 1024w, https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/abi-inpatient-brain-injury-0002-300x200.jpg?ver=1732587202 300w, https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/abi-inpatient-brain-injury-0002-768x512.jpg?ver=1732587202 768w, https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/abi-inpatient-brain-injury-0002.jpg?ver=1732587202 1396w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><\/figure>\n        <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"744\" height=\"550\" data-id=\"199\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/sci-abi-inpatient-cru-0155-2.jpg?ver=1732656447\" alt=\"A person with long hair, glasses, and a colorful headband smiles joyfully while a yellow facility dog wearing a vest licks their face.\" class=\"wp-image-199\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/sci-abi-inpatient-cru-0155-2-768x510.jpg?ver=1732656447 744w, https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/sci-abi-inpatient-cru-0155-2-300x199.jpg?ver=1732656447 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 744px) 100vw, 744px\"><\/figure>\n        <figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"744\" height=\"550\" data-id=\"198\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/myelitis-inpatient-respiratory-0117.jpg?ver=1732654369\" alt=\"A smiling woman in a wheelchair, wearing black clothes and a headband, happily interacts with a yellow lab service dog that is licking her face. A woman with long hair and a white coat gently touches the dog's back, also smiling. They are outdoors near trees.\" class=\"wp-image-198\" srcset=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/myelitis-inpatient-respiratory-0117-768x513.jpg?ver=1732654369 744w, https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/myelitis-inpatient-respiratory-0117-300x200.jpg?ver=1732654369 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 744px) 100vw, 744px\"><\/figure>\n                <figcaption class=\"image_gallery__caption wp-caption-text\">\n            <div>Facility dogs play a vital role in therapy, offering emotional support, enhancing motivation, and encouraging engagement in treatment. Their presence helps reduce stress, improve mood, and boost patients&#8217; overall well-being, making them valuable partners in the rehabilitation journey.<\/div>\n        <\/figcaption>\n        <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--text-html\">\n\t<div class=\"idf-block text-content\">\n\t\t<h2>Meet our facility dogs<\/h2>\n<p>Our facility dogs and their handlers can be found helping patients in Shepherd Center&#8217;s main campus and other Shepherd facilities improve their physical, cognitive, functional, and social skills, bringing comfort and smiles to everyone they meet.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--card-set idf-block list-card-set\">\n\t\t<div class=\"person-listing card-set\">\n\t\t\t<ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card clickable card--clickable\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/staff-directory\/beta\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/beta-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"3164\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"card__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/staff-directory\/beta\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBeta<\/a><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__body\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFacility Dog\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card clickable card--clickable\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/staff-directory\/colin\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/colin.jpg\" alt=\"3179\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"card__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/staff-directory\/colin\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tColin<\/a><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__body\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFacility Dog\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card clickable card--clickable\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/staff-directory\/jaxx\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/jaxx-facility-dog.jpg\" alt=\"17037\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"card__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/staff-directory\/jaxx\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJaxx<\/a><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__body\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFacility Dog\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card clickable card--clickable\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/staff-directory\/pippy\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/pippy-facility-dog-e1748546320518.jpg?ver=1748543910\" alt=\"17041\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"card__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/staff-directory\/pippy\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPippy<\/a><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__body\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFacility Dog\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card clickable card--clickable\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/staff-directory\/poet\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/poet.jpg\" alt=\"3281\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"card__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/staff-directory\/poet\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPoet<\/a><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__body\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFacility Dog\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card clickable card--clickable\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/staff-directory\/tex\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/tex.jpg\" alt=\"3282\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"card__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/staff-directory\/tex\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTex<\/a><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"card__body\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFacility Dog\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"paragraph-widget paragraph-widget--link-block idf-block\">\n\t<div class=\"link-block\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"link-block__label\">Continue Exploring<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/treatment\/\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOur Treatment Options\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/admissions\/inpatient-admission\/care-team\/\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAbout Your Care Team\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/treatment\/services-clinics\/psychology\/\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPsychology Team &amp; Services\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shepherd.org\/outcomes\/stories-of-hope\/\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStories of Hope\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Facility Dogs help patients improve their physical, cognitive, functional, and social skills during therapy sessions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_tec_requires_first_save":true,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_tribe_blocks_recurrence_rules":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_description":"","_tribe_blocks_recurrence_exclusions":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-3100","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- 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