CAIT ™️(Canine Assisted Integrative Therapy) is a neuroscience-driven, integrative therapy model developed by Lauren Gurtman that combines CranioSacral therapy, primitive reflex integration, breathing re-education, photobiomodulation, orofacial myology, speech, language, and feeding therapy within the presence of specially trained therapy dogs.

 

This approach supports the whole person by addressing the muscular, skeletal, nervous, respiratory, and oral facial systems together, rather than treating symptoms in isolation.

 

Treatment often begins with gentle manual therapies, including craniosacral and fascial work, to reduce tension and support regulation. Primitive reflex integration may be incorporated to address retained or unintegrated reflex patterns that can impact posture, coordination, breathing, oral motor control, and motor planning.

 

Breathing work is a central part of this model. Therapy focuses on establishing nasal breathing, improving diaphragm function, and supporting balanced carbon dioxide and oxygen exchange, which are essential for regulation, endurance, attention, and coordination.

 

Photobiomodulation, also known as low level light therapy, is incorporated when appropriate based on emerging research supporting its role in cellular function and brain-based processes. With children, it is applied in a targeted and supportive way to support regulation, neural efficiency, primitive reflex integration, motor planning, coordination, and functional communication.

 

After the body is more regulated and organized through manual therapy, breathing work, reflex integration, and photobiomodulation, CAIT sessions move into functional therapy. This may include speech sound production, language development, feeding skills, oral facial myofunctional therapy, oral sensory motor skills, jaw stability, tongue mobility, oral resting posture, nasal breathing carryover, and functional communication.

 

In CAIT ™️ sessions, therapy dogs play an intentional clinical role. Their presence supports nervous system regulation, improves engagement, and increases motivation, allowing patients to remain present and actively participate in treatment. This creates an environment where new motor patterns for speech, language, feeding, breathing, and oral facial function can be learned more efficiently and generalized beyond the session.

 

By integrating these therapies within a regulated and engaging environment, CAIT ™️ supports more efficient learning, improved coordination, and stronger carryover of skills into daily life.

 

CAIT ™️ Canine Assisted Integrative Therapy is offered as part of clinical services at Kids Communicate Therapy in Hoboken, New Jersey. To schedule an evaluation or session, please contact our office or visit our intake page.

The benefits of canine assisted therapy are well documented. The special bond between humans and dogs often acts as a catalyst, keeping patients engaged and actively participating during therapy sessions. Children feel safe, relaxed, and confident when interacting with pets, and often express themselves better than with other children or adults.