Christopher Douglas Hidden Angel Foundation

Multi Sensory Environments, Sensory Stimulation

“There are no guarantees in life, except that everyone faces struggles. This is how we learn (and grow). Some face struggles from the moment they are born. They are the most special of all people, requiring the most care and compassion and reminding us that love is the sole purpose of life.”– Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
These are our Hidden Angels – teaching all of us life’s most valuable lessons.

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The Science

The philosophy behind the new HACP program (and CDHAF) is that sensory stimulation, delivered through enriched environments and human-animal interaction, can be a powerful tool to impact the development and function of the brain and ultimately improve quality of life across a number of dimensions. Numerous anecdotes as well as empirical behavior studies and brain research have shown these benefits in both humans and animals.

Anecdotes: There are a large number of anecdotes, and more emerging every day, of successful experiences using pets to benefit the populations the new program aims to target. A few recent examples:

  • In several Arizona schools, therapy dogs are being used in classrooms with students who have autism and intellectual difficulties. Teachers report that petting and interacting with the dogs helps students ease their frustrations and teaches responsibility.
  • A boy with autism experienced a significant reduction in social anxiety and improved performance at school after receiving a pet dog. Despite previous therapy and family support, the relationship with the dog was the intervention that finally led to a meaningful improvement. Notably, the dog was a rescue dog that was able to effectively become a companion dog for the boy, a model that is also being considered for the new program.
  • A boy who was in an accident that caused a traumatic brain injury experienced a noticeable improvement in awareness and responsiveness as a result of interaction with a therapy dog in the hospital. The improvements were recognized even with only periodic interactions with the dog.

Empirical studies: Studies have shown a variety of meaningful benefits to humans of interaction with animals, including:

  • Pets provide therapeutic benefits such as companionship, love, humor, play, exercise, a sense of power and outlets for displacement, projection and nurturance;
  • Talking to animals and the tactile experience of petting animals reduces stress and enhances physical health (including lowering blood pressure and reducing heart rate) and longevity;
  • Animals enhance psychological development, improve social skills, increase independence, and increase self-esteem;
  • Animals can be a source of comfort and contribute to ego strength among children;
  • The human-animal bond supports empathy development, the ability to form and express attachments, and the reaction to grief and loss; and
  • Dogs help increase activity among those with disabilities, prevent childhood obesity, promote recovery after a heart attack, and encourage walking in the elderly.

Studies have also shown the impact on animals of the level of enrichment in their environments, which is central to the development program for the dogs. Numerous studies on mice and rats show benefits such as reduced anxiety and stress, improved learning and memory, and improved resistance to disease in pups that receive stimulation early in life. Similarly, animals kept in zoos or other confined environments that lack sensory stimulation have been shown to develop abnormal and problematic behaviors indicative of stress. Evidence also exists for dogs specifically. The Bio Sensor program developed by the U.S Military used sensory stimulation on military dogs while they were puppies to produce lasting effects on performance and make them more adaptable and able to deal with “tough” situations.

Brain research has revealed the impact of sensory stimulation on the brains of humans and animals, which ultimately leads to the benefits noted previously. Sensory stimulation (which can come from enriched environments or human-animal interaction) has been linked to the release of various neurotransmitters in the brain and improved brain plasticity and neural development. Specifically, human-animal interaction has been linked to increased levels of oxytocin (linked with happiness and bonding), dopamine (linked to energy), endorphins (linked to feelings of pleasure), serotonin (linked to mood balance) and phenethylamine (linked to feelings of elation) are increased and decreased levels of cortisol (associated with stress). These effects have been shown in both humans and their companion animals.

Research has also shown lasting impact on the structure of the brain linked to sensory stimulation. Prolonged isolation and lack of sensory stimulation has been shown to lead to a diminution of the dendritic network in the frontal cortex. Related, the brains of wild wolfs, which are naturally exposed to a richer sensory environment, are larger than those of domestic dogs. On the other hand, mice raised in sensory enriched environments have been shown to have enhanced synaptic connections and an increase in brain cells.

Resources for this information:

  • www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/tempe/2014/09/08/therapy-dogs-school-disabled-kids/15269893/
  • sfglobe.com/?id=12671&src=fbfan_12671
  • www.ijreview.com/2014/09/177857-stunning-change-occurs-injured-little-boy-meets-inspiring-therapy-dog/
  • Holly McLean Ryan, “The Use of Dogs in California Public Schools”, 2002
  • American Psychological Association Allen & Blascovich, The value of service dogs for people with severe ambulatory disabilities – A randomized controlled trial, Journal of the American Medical Association, 1996 Cofas & Makinodan, 2012 Mason, 1991; Mason et al, 2007; Wells, 2009b
  • www.apd.army.mil, 1993
  • “Animal-assisted therapy in mental health”, The SCAS Journal, Autumn 2010 Bateson, 1981; Verdoux and Bourgeois, 1991 Giza, Griesbach, & Hovda, 2005
The simple pleasures and joys that children experience running, playing and enjoying a sunny day are sometimes not available for children with special needs. Due to limitations, they don’t experience or are unable to interact with their surroundings, limiting their sensory experiences.
Multi-sensory stimulation is as necessary for survival as food and water. Isn’t it our responsibility to help every child feel included and offer them an environment where they can experience simple joys in life?
About CDHAF

Inside a Multi-Sensory Room

PBS Special - The Hidden Angel

Christopher Douglas Hidden Angel Foundation

The Christopher Douglas Hidden Angel Foundation (CDHAF) was created in honor and recognition of Christopher Douglas Fornes and Joyce Baye. CDHAF enriches the lives, health, and social well-being of people with cognitive, emotional, and physical challenges through the use of our Multi Sensory Environments™ (MSE). Our focus is on the design, development, implementation and education of our Multi Sensory Environments™ with the aim to enable productivity, inclusion, independence, and self-determination. Our approach is based on well-documented studies of neurological cognition and emotional development. We offer advisory and financial support for the establishment of integrated, publicly accessible Multi Sensory facilities and for basic research and … Continue Reading

 
  • Lake Asbury Jr. High
    Green Cove Springs, FL USA
    2006

  • Allegany ARC
    Wellsville, NY
    2013

  • MCFI – Milwaukee Center of Independence
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA
    2012

  • TLC – The Treatment and Learning Center
    Rockville, Maryland USA
    2012

  • M.O.R.G.A.N. Project
    Melbourne Beach, FL USA
    2011

  • Baycrest Hospital
    Toronto ON, Canada
    2011

  • Baycrest Apotex
    Toronto ON, Canada
    2011

  • EGF Polk County DAC
    East Grand Forks, MI USA
    2011

  • Colisano Children’s Hospital
    Syracuse, NY USA
    2011

  • Miami Lakes Therapy Center
    Miami Lakes, Florida
    2010

  • Anne Grady Center
    Holland, OH USA
    2009

  • A Society for Treatment of Autism
    Calgary, AB Canada
    2008

  • Southeastern Elementary School
    Rome, GA USA
    2008

  • Portage Collegiate Institute
    Portage La Prairie, MB Canada
    2009

  • Centre de Readaptation
    Montreal, QB Canada
    2009

  • West Montreal
    Centre de Readaptation

    Lachine, QB Canada
    2007

  • Children’s Home RTF
    Chenango Forks, NY USA
    2007

  • Alternative Day Programs – Centre de Readaptation
    Kirkland, QB Canada
    2009

  • Augusta Evans Special School
    Mobile, AL USA
    2007

  • Miami Jewish Home and Hospital
    Miami, FL USA
    2007

  • Central Wisconsin Center
    Madison, WI USA
    2009

  • Miami Jewish Home and Hospital-#2
    Miami, FL USA
    2009

  • St. John’s Nursing Center
    Ft. Lauderdale, FL USA
    2006

  • Extreme Makeover Home Edition
    Austin, TX USA (O’Donnell Family)
    2006

  • Southern Alberta Child and Youth
    Health -FLAMES House

    Calgary, AB Canada
    2009

  • Extreme Makeover Home Edition
    Hondo, TX USA (Craft Family)
    2006

  • Daytime Enrichment Activities
    Recreation

    Portland, OR USA
    2010

  • Cleveland, Tennessee Jr. High
    Cleveland, TN USA
    2010

  • Hondo, Texas Special Education
    Hondo, TX USA
    2006

  • Miami Cerebral Palsy Residential Center
    Miami, FL USA
    2006

  • Scarborough Village Alternative School
    Toronto, Ontario Canada
    2010

  • Anne Grady Center Pediatric
    Toledo, OH USA
    2010

  • AHRC – Seiff Educare
    Boemia, NY USA
    2010

  • Jewel C. Wietzel Education Center
    San Antonio, TX USA
    2006

  • Hospital Rivier-des-Prairies
    Montreal, QB Canada
    2006

  • United Cerabal Palsey – Birmingham
    Birmingham, AL USA
    2010

  • St. Peter’s Academy
    Benoit’s Cover, Bay of Islands, NL Canada
    2010

 
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Evolution of the Legacy of a Hidden Angel

We are extremely proud of the pioneering role we played many years ago in bringing multi-sensory environments (MSE) to North America and raising their profile since 2005.  Today throughout North America, more and more organizations are implementing multi-sensory stimulating environments for individuals with special needs.  We are excited that this will allow us to be more proactive in providing guidance and training in MSEs.  Thus, we are proud to provide our MSE online training course free of charge for those wishing to learn more about this recreational space that provides therapeutic and educational benefits.  You can access the training at www.msetraining.com

Over the years our namesake, Chris has been the driving force behind the numerous initiatives to enrich the lives of individuals with special needs by providing:

• Design and financial support for over 100 MSE rooms
• Intellectual property for the development of a program for premature babies
• Equipment and expertise for the use of MSE with seniors challenged by dementia / alzheimers
• Online training focused on MSE methodology and best use practices
• Donations to support food for special needs children in impoverished areas
• Formation and co-management of an unprecedented program to train first responders in dealing with individuals with special needs
• Developing companion pets through sensory stimulation and life experiences
• Design and construction of the first MSE environment designed for individuals with special needs that incorporates life without limits and nature as the sensory component
• Ongoing support for a playground designed for individuals with special needs
• Provided Multi Sensory Room on Extreme Makeover Home Edition to the Craft Family (Hondo, TX)

The preceding and the following illustrate the multifaceted legacy of an extraordinary young man who, to quote Kubler-Ross – “taught us love is the true meaning of life”.

As we move on from the funding and installing of multi-sensory rooms (as the support from others grows), the foundation will continue to exist as an open knowledge-based organization providing guidance to facilities wishing to implement a multi-sensory environment (MSE) for children and adults with special needs.

The Foundation website will become an informational and training tool to provide research-based methodology and information, including MSE concepts, MSE designs, equipment uses, MSE benefits, and operational training. Organizations looking for funding will be directed to other charitable organizations that support the use of multi-sensory environments in education, recreation, and therapy.

In addition it will provide a free online training program to provide knowledge on best practices and the overall philosophy of MSE based on decades of hands on experience.


The sister organization to CDHAF, Hidden Angel Companion Pets will also be providing information on the benefits of companion pets for children with special needs and best practices in raising a pet to be a natural companion animal. Pets provide therapeutic benefits such as companionship, love, humor, play, exercise, a sense of power and outlets for displacement, projection and nurturance; Talking to animals and the tactile experience of petting animals reduces stress and enhances physical health (including lowering blood pressure and reducing heart rate) and longevity; Animals enhance psychological development, improve social skills, increase independence, and increase self-esteem; Animals can be a source of comfort and contribute to ego strength among children; The human-animal bond supports empathy development, the ability to form and express attachments, and the reaction to grief and loss; and Dogs help increase activity among those with disabilities, prevent childhood obesity, promote recovery after a heart attack, and encourage walking in the elderly.

Looking ahead, those of us committed to Chris foresee many more initiatives reflecting his life and impacting the lives of others.