Ana Luisa Suarez 127 Oakland Ave Somerset, NJ 08873 (732) 763-8577 analuisa@eden.rutgers.

edu Mark Hrywna, Senior Editor The Non Profit Times 201 Littleton Road 2nd Floor Morris Plains, NJ 07950 December 17th, 2012

Dear Mark Hrywna,

Dogs commonly known for being mans best friend now are also proving to be an alternative form of therapy. Rutgers University students are conducting research trying to prove where traditional forms of therapy for autistic children might fail, companion animals could be the solution. These students research supports the idea that the use of therapy dogs will benefit those with autism learning social skills. This article, titled Paws for a Cause, will highlight the positive effects therapy dogs have shown to have, based on the Rutgers students research and outside knowledge provided by the non-profit organization Attitudes in Reverse (A.I.R). Stacey was suffering in silence until she got Oliver. Now she is able to open up with others and speak more freely, all because of her little miracle.

Sincerely,

Ana Luisa Suarez analuisa@eden.rutgers.edu (732) 763-8577

The Non Profit Times

Word Count: 1,131

Paws for a Cause: How a Non-Profit Association Came to Aiding Autism Research Dogs commonly known for being mans best friend now are also proving to be an alternative form of therapy. Rutgers University students are conducting research trying to prove where traditional forms of therapy for autistic children might fail, companion animals could be the solution. These students research supports the idea that the use of therapy dogs will benefit those with autism learning social skills. Courtney Zinna, a Rutgers senior leading the research team, is responsible for getting the therapy dogs involved in their research. Courtney has teamed up with the non-profit organization Attitudes in Reverse (A.I.R.), which will provide the dogs to the families free of charge. Courtneys friendly and engaging demeanor helped her make one of the most beneficial connections in her research, with the founder of A.I.R, Tricia Baker. I never expected I would meet someone at work who would have such an impact on my life and research, Courtney reflected happily. Tricia has been so helpful, I wouldnt be this far in my work without her. She really took my research to the next level. The pair met at Petsmart in 2010 when Courtney began working at their South Brunswick store. The Rutgers student has always been an animal lover, as anyone could tell just by looking at all the bumper stickers on her car. When she began working on her autism research in January, Courtney was in a bind. She really wanted to find a way to incorporate animals, but she not sure how. Tricia was the solution to Courtneys dilemma. She has been working with therapy dogs for the past three years now and advocates their healing powers. Petting a dog releases Serotonin and Dopamine, so there is a physiological reason why dogs make us smile, Tricia said.

Tricia began A.I.R. in 2009 as a non-profit organization after losing her son, Kenny. He was the kind of son that made his mother indescribably proud. Kenny was always respectful, to any individual and was an amazing listener, someone who could always lend an ear. He was compassionate, popular, and the top swimmer for two teams, but that all came to a standstill when Kenny was diagnosed with depression at 15. His world spun out from underneath him, leaving no ground to stand on. Less than a year later, he was diagnosed with a severe anxiety disorder that left him too embarrassed to see his friends. His illness manifested itself so deeply that Kenny could no longer attend his local high school. He remained strong through his diagnosis, though many were insensitive to his invisible illness, and he was compliant with his doctors by following their forms of treatment. The pain, however, overweighed Kennys will to live, and he ended his life at 19, three weeks before his high school graduation. Discrimination against his illness occurred after Kennys death, and this is where A.I.R. was born. Their mission is to educate society about mental health. Tricia does not want those who are suffering to feel stigmatized as Kenny did. Tricias personal involvement with those dealing with mental illnesses is why Courtney was inspired to invite her to join her research. I cried the first time I heard Tricias story. Her work and positive, upbeat attitude are proof of how dedicated she is, Courtney said. Tricia has worked with people suffering from depression, bipolar disorder, autism, as well as various other disorders. Since Tricia has already worked with children and adults with autism, Courtney was enthusiastic about Tricias acceptance. Tricia is experienced, which makes her credible, and looks great when I have her standing up in front of prospective families. She us very open to discuss her personal skills, which is what I really believe gets people motivated.

The families involved in their study will be split into two groups for research purposes, to monitor these families for a five-week period. The first group will have one 60-minute session a week with actual therapy dogs and their handlers. The second group will also meet once a week for 60 minutes but with stuffed dogs and their handlers. Courtney said this is meant to test how the participants with actual dogs benefit in their social interactions versus the participants who meet with a stuffed dog. Before each weekly session, we will ask the parents to fill out a survey to let us know if they have seen any noticeable differences in their childs behavior, Courtney said. At the end of the study, the parents will be asked to fill out a survey ranking in their own opinion the effectiveness of the dogs. Those members of the study who receive the stuffed dogs are offered the opportunity to have a four-week session with an actual therapy dog, Courtney said. After conducting informational seminars in March and September, Courtneys locked down four families who are very excited to see what will happen. People were really quick to sign up after they heard Tricia talk about all the positives reactions she has witnessed with therapy dogs, Courtney said. When I sigh out of anxiety, Oliver licks my face and relaxes me, Stacey L. said, a patient with autism that Tricia works with. I dont make friends easily, and I dont like to talk to a lot of people. Oliver shows me a lot of love and that helps me with the anxiety. Its like a little miracle. The people Tricia has met during her time working with Miki, her Pomeranian, are honest and open about the effects their dogs have had on them. Stacey was suffering in silence, when she met Miki at one of A.I.R.s events. She was motivated to get her own therapy dog, Oliver. It is because of people like Stacey that makes Tricia believe the research Courtneys team has been working on will succeed. I have always liked helping people out, as a good portion of

what I do each day is volunteer work. It is a great feeling to know you are helping someone, Tricia said. Courtney is confident that Tricias previous accomplishments in the field will spill over onto what they are doing now. These therapy dogs are living proof that dogs are a good influence in peoples everyday lives. Tricia wants to quiet the naysayers and get people to believe in dogs; healing powers. Courtney is assertive that by the end of the semester, their research will be in full swing and those involved will be showing positive growth. It makes me feel good to know that we are well on our way to improving the lives of those that are suffering alone. We want to bring joy to their lives again, Tricia said. With the amount of passion and dedication put into this research, it is easy to believe they will succeed in changing lives.

Source List: Courtney Zinna, research student at Rutgers (908) 307-1917 Tricia Baker, founder of A.I.R. tricia@attitudesinreverse.org Stacey K. A patient that is participating in A.I.R.s therapy services (her last name was not disclosed by Baker due to the nature of her medial situation)