Our Programs

Regionally Funded Programs

Alberta Hospital Edmonton

Alberta Hospital Edmonton (AHE) is a fully accredited 410-bed psychiatric hospital operated within the Regional Mental Health Program by Capital Health. Between 1,650 and 1,700 patients and their families use the services at Alberta Hospital Edmonton.

The Chimo Project’s Animal Assisted Therapy program began at AHE in 2005 with one therapist and one volunteer handler team. Now we have dozens of trained therapists and almost a dozen volunteer handlers!

Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital

The Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital is a health care facility unique to Alberta, as well as the largest stand-alone rehabilitation hospital in North America. It is devoted primarily to high-level rehabilitation care of adults (including the elderly) and children.

The Chimo Project’s AAT program started with Recreation Therapists in October 2006 and has grown at a remarkable rate! Now we have therapists working with AAT volunteer teams in Pediatrics, Brain Injury, Cognitive Impairment, Fun and Fitness, Orthopaedics, Amputees, Burns, Stroke Unit, Geriatric Psychiatry and the Walking Group.

Results have shown animal-assisted therapy to be a great tool for helping clients in many areas of rehabilitation.

Bosco Homes

We are currently in the process of re-starting our program at the Bosco Homes residential program. In the past we have utilized AAT in therapy sessions and in the resident houses. We currently have one volunteer team working with teachers at the Bosco School.

CASA

We have trained two therapists who work at CASA. One therapist works with her dog in Trauma and Attachment Groups. The other therapist works with clients in individual counselling sessions.

Affiliated Programs

We have provided training and implementation materials to programs across the province.

Association of Adult Day Support Programs

We trained the therapists of the AADSP to use the animals in their group therapy sessions to help their clients improve mood, social interactions and engagement in the session.

School Counsellors

We have trained a number of independent school counsellors to use their own animals in the school setting to help children with adjustment and work in crisis counselling situations.

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