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Perry Fabiano
Perry Fabiano
I'm
Perry Fabiano. I facilitate the pet therapy programs here at
Northeast Center for Special Care. I love animals and I love
working with animals and people. I was born and raised on a
farm in Ulster County and my whole love of animals came from
growing-up on the farm.
I have worked most of my adult life in the human services
field and I have been able to incorporate using animals in
my work. My first job in human services was working with
autistic and emotionally disturbed adolescents and that is
where I first started using animals in the programs I
facilitated. We took the kids horseback riding on a regular
basis and eventually acquired a small miniature horse that
lived on-campus. We also raised ducklings and rabbits.
Having the animals gave us the benefits of developing skills
with the kids like empathy, nurturing and care.
Much later I moved onto another agency and worked with
individuals who have cerebral palsy, developmental
disabilities, epilepsy, neurological impairments. That is
when I first started working with people who have a brain
injury.
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I get excited when I see one of our Resident-Neighbors
connecting with an animal I feel like we are reaching that
person.
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Perry Fabiano |
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My
interest in using dogs has developed over the years. I have
always had dogs as pets, sometimes several at one time. I
started training beagles for field trials which is where a
hunting situation is mimicked (it is not real hunting and no
other animals are harmed) and the dog is tested for their
abilities. I've judged at field trials and I have traveled
up and down the east coast. I also have bred dogs. My use of
dogs for therapy had its origins at my first job where I
used to bring my dog with me when I worked weekends. I observed
the positive effect that dogs had on the kids and I began to
understand their therapeutic benefits.
I have two dogs that I use now: Coco a black lab and Henry a
small mixed breed. Both dogs are certified as "Canine Good
Citizens," a certification from the American
Kennel Club (AKC) and are registered as therapy dogs with
Therapy Dogs International.
Canine Good Citizens as a part of the American Kennel Club certifies that the dog can work with children
and people, can be in crowds and that the dog has a basic temperament
that is good.
Therapy Dogs International has a number of requirements that
a dog must pass including: accepting a friendly stranger,
they have to be tested around medical equipment, a dog must
be able to sit for petting, they are tested walking through a crowd, they
have to be able to have a good reaction when around a person
who has an impaired gait, dogs have to work well around
different populations, as well as other criteria that the dogs
have to meet. This assures that the dog has the ability to
work in healthcare settings and with all kinds of people.
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Henry
in a serious pose. |
Henry
I found in a an animal shelter. I wanted a small dog and he
is excellent with people. He can be picked-up or put on someone's
lap.
Coco I bought as a puppy from a breeder and she is AKC
registered. We call her "Co" and she likes people,
swimming, catching balls. I've worked with her closely in obedience
training. She is good with non-ambulatory persons she will
walk along with our Resident-Neighbors in wheelchairs. She
is also good with people who use walkers when ambulating.
"Co" is great when someone is having a problem
participating in physical therapy, I'll bring her to the
therapy session and she'll stay with the person while he or
she has their session.
Henry and "Co" help people with nurturing and
socialization skills. Put a dog in a room with two or more
people and soon there is communication going on because
everyone likes the dogs and before you know it there is back
and forth conversation.
I see the dogs as providing a sense of well-being and
serenity for our Resident-Neighbors. During difficult times
they help people refocus. Sometimes when a person is
adynamic because of a brain injury, meaning a person who may
have low mental energy or alertness, or a flat-affect, a
therapy dog may be able to trigger a response and draw the
person out.
Besides the dogs we have two Guinea pigs named Baby and
Bear, a rabbit named snowball and three parakeets. All
of the animals travel throughout Northeast center to visit
Resident-Neighbors.
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"Co."
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I'm
also working with our Neurorehabilitation Intensive Program
with a pre-vocational activity where Resident-Neighbors with
brain injury assist in caring for the animals. With it people are
relearning job skills that they will take with them back out
in the community.
Northeast Center for Special Care is a wonderful program
with an exceptional mission. Working with Resident-Neighbors
who have had a brain injury or spinal cord injury or who are
medically complex brings a lot of challenges and
opportunities in using the dogs and the other animals that is different
from other programs. I see the animals as important
contributors to helping people develop and hone skills that
will be valuable in the community.
I get excited when I see one of our Resident-Neighbors
connecting with an animal I feel like we are reaching that
person. It takes a long time for me to get down a hallway
because our Resident-Neighbors always stop to say hello to
the dogs or to pet them. It's a good feeling.
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