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©Delta Society

Introducing Pet Partners® and Other Visiting Animal

Programs to Healthcare Facilities

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Part I: Definitions and Benefits

AAA AAT AAA/AAT Benefits for Clients Examples of AAT Goals AAA/AAT Benefits for Facilities Facts about Therapy Animals

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Animal-assisted Activities Animal-assisted activities (AAA):

Animal-assisted activities are usually described as casual "meet and greet" activities that involve pets visiting people. The same activity can be repeated with many people, unlike a therapy program that is tailored to a particular person or medical condition.

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Animal-assisted Therapy Animal-assisted therapy (AAT):

Animal-assisted therapy is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal is an integral part of the treatment process. AAT is directed and/or delivered and documented by a health/human service professional with a specific clinical goal in mind.

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AAA/AAT Benefits for Clients Positive physiological effects (e.g. decrease

heart rate and blood pressure) Mental stimulation (e.g. recall memories) Feelings of acceptance and good rapport Outward focus Opportunities for empathy and nurturing Increased motivation Entertainment and socialization

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Examples of AAT Goals Physical (e.g. improve fine motor skills,

wheelchair skills, or standing balance) Mental Health (e.g. increase attention skills,

reduce anxiety, reduce loneliness) Educational (e.g. improve knowledge of

concepts such as size, color, etc.) Motivational (e.g. improve willingness to be

involved in activities and to interact with others)

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AAA/AAT Benefits for Facilities Provide cost effective treatment Increase patient and staff satisfaction Improve clinical outcomes Experience faster recovery times Utilize cutting edge clinical applications Receive positive attention from the

media

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Facts About Therapy Animals Visiting animal-handler teams are the most

common source of therapy animals that participate in AAA/AAT. These teams travel from their homes to facilities for durations usually lasting 1 to no longer than 2 hours.

Residential animals that live at a facility can also be therapy animals. Considerations of expenses and the animals’ health and enjoyment should be given significant attention in these cases.

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Part II: Resources and Steps to Aid in Utilizing AAA/AAT

What is Delta Society? What is the Pet Partners program? Risk Management and Liability Resources for Facilities and Staff Initial Steps for a Facility Initial Costs to a Facility

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What Is Delta Society? Delta Society is an international non-profit

organization, founded in 1977. Delta Society’s mission: Improving human

health through service and therapy animals. Delta Society is committed to expanding

therapeutic and service roles of animals through animal-assisted therapy and animal-assisted activities.

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Delta Society: A Leader in the Human-Animal Health Connection

Emphasizes standards-based AAA/AAT programs

Offers the nationally recognized Pet Partners program

Registers all types of domestic animals, in addition to dogs

Trains healthcare professionals in animal-assisted therapy techniques

Provides important resources and ongoing support

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What Is Delta Society’s Pet Partners Program? Internationally recognized Pet Partners

program, founded in 1990: Registers handler-animal teams as being

qualified for participation in AAA/AAT Provides health, skills, and aptitude

standards for handlers and animals Requires adherence to Pet Partners

Policies and Procedures Connects visiting handler-animal teams

with facilities

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Pet Partners: Standards Based

The volunteers and animals visiting each facility as Pet Partners have been trained, screened, and registered. Becoming a well prepared Pet Partners team requires: Step 1: Pet Partners Team Training Course Step 2: Health Screening of Animal Step 3: Evaluation of Handler and Animal

Team Step 4: Registration Packet & Fee

More…

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Pet Partners: Standards Based

Over 10,000 registered Pet Partners teams serve in the U.S. and internationally

Pet Partners receive: Identification badge for handler and collar tag

for animal Access to licensed Evaluators and Instructors

as local resources Ongoing support and resources from the Delta

Society office Over $1 million in primary liability insurance

continued

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Risk Management and Liability

Standardized screening requires good health, cleanliness, and appropriate skills and aptitudes for every registered animal

Standardized training prepares handlers with practical knowledge of infection control and prevention of zoonotic diseases (i.e. infections transmitted from animals to humans)

Standardized training teaches practical ways to prevent and respond to possible risks, accidents, or unusual occurrences

Registered Pet Partners receive over $1 million in primary liability insurance

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Delta Society Resources for Facilities and Staff Suggested guidelines for written AAA/AAT policies

and procedures, required for each facility Educational resources for staff orientation and

continuing education Site assessment to evaluate each facility and

suggest suitability of AAA/AAT programs Connections with potential Pet Partners volunteers Listing in Delta Society’s nationwide database of

registered facilities Ongoing support from Delta Society

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Initial Steps for a Facility(refer to Delta Society’s Facility Registration

Packet for detailed guidance)1. Obtain Facility Registration Packet from Delta

Society2. Conduct site assessment and develop AAA/AAT

Policies and Procedures for specific facility3. Register with Delta Society 4. Conduct staff training to discuss goals,

responsibilities, expectations5. Conduct volunteer orientation of specific facility

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Initial Costs to a Facility Registering with Delta Society

Includes on-going listing in Delta Society’s national referral network for Pet Partners

Printed resources Staff orientation Possible extra costs

Outside site assessment, outside staff training, AAT Applications training for healthcare professionals, additional resources and references

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Possibilities for Expanding Programs Conduct workshops to train potential Pet

Partners volunteers Train professional healthcare staff in AAT with

Delta Society’s “AAT Applications Course I” and certified instructor

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Helpful Resources Numerous books, guides, journal and

periodical abstracts, articles, and bibliographies are helpful and available, and many can be viewed on the Delta Society web site.

Delta Society offers a wide variety of resources concerning companion animals, AAA, AAT, Pet Partners training and screening, service animals, etc.

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Recommended References

Recommended references include: Standards of Practice for Animal-Assisted

Activities and Animal-Assisted Therapy. Delta Society. 1996.

Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy: Theoretical Foundations for Guidelines and Practice. by Aubrey H. Fine (Editor). 1999.

Delta Society’s “Facility Registration Packet.”

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Where to Find References

Delta Society offers an extensive bibliography and an online store:

www.deltasociety.org

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Contact Delta Society

For information, products, services, consultation, and support,

contact Delta Society: www.deltasociety.org.or call 425.679.5500