According to research — and what we see every day at Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville — when pet therapy animals visit, healing gets a little easier. The smiles on the faces of the kids in our care seem to confirm it. Our patients and their families experience reduced stress, improved emotional well-being and often better clinical outcomes.
That’s why we have long offered visits by registered volunteer therapy animal teams through our Animal-Assisted Support Services program. As part of an Implementation Science Research initiative in partnership with the University of North Florida, Nemours Children’s offers our patients and families the enhanced clinical service of AATx.
AATx includes specially trained and licensed medical, mental health or other service providers working with qualified animals as part of a child’s treatment process. Local expert animal handlers partner with us to support emotional growth, therapeutic progress, and learning.
ADAPT
The Assisted Dog and Pony Therapy (ADAPT) Program at Nemours Children's helps address a variety of mental and emotional health needs, including anxiety, anger issues, grief and loss, behavioral and family relationship concerns, communication difficulties, depression and emotional adjustment to medical issues.
Nemours Children’s ADAPT program proudly partners with the North Florida School of Special Education (NFSSE) to deliver sustainable, equine-assisted therapy for children with chronic medical conditions. Through this collaboration, NFSSE provides trained miniature horses and experienced equine staff who work alongside the ADAPT team to support whole-child care — integrating emotional regulation, confidence building, social–emotional development, and medical education.
This nonprofit partnership strengthens community connection, ensures long term program sustainability, and expands innovative therapeutic opportunities for Nemours Children’s patients.
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How does it work?
Nemours Children’s is among the first pediatric health care systems in the United States to offer this innovative approach to clinical care.
- AATx at Nemours Children’s is integrated throughout our care by our behavioral and medical providers with specialized training and experience.
- AATx is incorporated into each child’s treatment plan with specific, individualized goals that support emotional, behavioral, and development progress
- ADAPT and NFSSE’s equine-assisted therapy components complement clinical care, allowing children to engage in therapeutic activities that build confidence, coping skills and self-regulations in a supportive environment.
For more information, please contact us at ADAPT@nemours.org.