Animal-Assisted Therapy(AAT)

Narváez,PilarEnglish Language IIProf. Mariana Mussetta UTN Villa Maria 2010

Section Structure

Who is AAT for?Who is AAT for?03

Brief HistoryBrief History02

What is Animal-Assisted Therapy?What is Animal-Assisted Therapy?01

ATT Requirements ATT Requirements 07

Survey Survey 08

Why is it useful?Why is it useful?

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Types of animal-Assisted TherapyTypes of animal-Assisted Therapy04

Canine Assisted Therapy in Mental HealthCanine Assisted Therapy in Mental Health05

Canine-Assited Therapy Sesion Canine-Assited Therapy Sesion 06

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Caleb’s story Caleb’s story 10

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Beck and Katcher (1984) aptly state that a clear distinction should be made between emotional response to animals, that is, their recreational use, and therapy. It should not be concluded that any event that is enjoyed by the patients is a kind of therapy.

Animal-assisted therapy is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process.

AAT is directed and/or delivered by a health/human service professional with specialized expertise and within the scope of his/her own field. (Delta Society 2001)

What is Animal-Assisted Therapy?

Brief History 11

One year later, the Delta Foundation (later named Delta Society) was formed to research the effects that animals have on people’s lives.

In 1792, animals were used in treatment for psychiatric patients at York Retreat in England (Satter 2007)

In 1976, Elaine Smith founded Therapy Dogs International, the first registry for therapy dogs in the US.

Who is AAT for ?11

Animal-assisted therapy is frequently used in cases of :

Persons with psychological or psychiatric handicap. Physical and sexual abuse Children with learning, language, or behavioural

problems. Visually impaired Alzheimer’s disease Autism Depression Loneliness Stress

This kind of therapy even allows for easier rehabilitation after having had surgery, or a severe accident. However, it can be beneficial for anyone who feels that they need it.

Types of Animal-Assisted Therapy

Bovine assisted therapy

Dolphin assisted therapy

Equine assisted therapy

Canine assisted therapy

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Elephant assisted therapy

Bird assisted therapy

Rabbits assisted therapy

Canine Assisted Therapy in Mental Health11

The integration of animal-assisted therapy into clinical psychology was first credited in 1962 to the child psychologist, Boris Levinson.

In his paper Mental Hygiene, he describes the dog as a ‘co therapist.’

By accident, Levinson discovered he could make significant progress with a disturbed child when Levinson’s dog, Jingles, attended therapy sessions.

Animal-assisted therapy has a long, but undocumented history, and it has only been in the last half of the twentieth century that research and professional response has been conducted on the use of animals in therapy.

AAT sessions can be integrated into individual or group therapy and with a very wide range of age groups and persons with varying ability.

The presence of the animal facilitate a trust-building bond between the therapist and patient.

The animal relieves some tension and anxiety in the therapy. The interaction with the animal is entertaining and fun for the patient.

The patient talks to animal while the therapist listens. The dog helps the patient focus on an issue as they interact with the animal. The dog helps the patient get in touch with feelings. For the patient, the animal is seen as a friend. The animal offers nurturance through a presentation of unconditional acceptance

and interaction. The experience of a client interacting with an animal can provide knowledge about

boundaries and limit setting by observing and imitating the therapist-animal interactions.

Canine-Assisted therapy sesion

Reichert (1998) provides this example from her clinical experience with a sexually abused child:

I told one child that Buster [a dog] had a nightmare. I then asked the child:

"What do you think Buster's nightmare was about?" The child said, "The nightmare was about being

afraid of getting hurt again by someone

mean."

Canine Assisted Therapy Sesion

1. A therapy animal must be well behaved and respond to the handler’s commands2. The human therapist should have a very positive relationship with a therapy pet.3. A fearful, aggressive, or unresponsive animal is definitely not suitable for this

profession.4. Dogs must be certified by the Delta Society, and certifications updated on a

regular basis.5. An annual medical screening, dog history and behavior screening form must be

completed by the owner and veterinarian

Requirements

6. Dogs must receive routine flea/tick and heartworm prevention treatments.

7. Dogs must be bathed 48 hours prior to a visit and groomed/brushed on the day of visit.

8. When visiting the hospital the dog and handler will be met at the front entrance of the hospital.

11Question (From 1996 through 1998, Therapy Dog International ,INC conducted an International survey to determinate the benefits of the programs to patients.)

According to Gammonley (2000) these are the common mental health treatment goals in AAT:

It promotes physical activity

It offers unconditional love

It provides a comforting presence

It evokes a sense of joy and interest in life

It promotes social interaction and comunication

It reduces isolation, boredom and loneliness

Improve self-esteem

Improve concentration and attention, and increase

engagement

It reduces general anxiety

It reduces abusive behavior

It improve an ability to trust; and learn ppropriate touch

It promotes Mental Stimulation

It promotes Physical Contact, Touch

It evokes Empathy

Why is it useful? 11

Caleb's Story

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking

your face." ~ Bern Williams, English philosopher

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Beck, A. M, and A.H Katcher . "A New look at Pet-facilitated Therapy." Journal American Veterinary Medical Association. (1984): Print.

Curtiss, Carol P, and Pamela J Haylock . Cancer Doesn’t Hurt. 1st ed. California: Hunter House Inc Publishers, 1997. Print.

Cynthia Chandler.”Animal-Assisted Therapy in Counseling and School Settings”. University of North Carolina at Greensboro. October, 2001. November 15, 2010

Delta Society . Health Benefits of Animals. Web. November 10,2010

Douglas Mental Heath Universal Institute. “Animal-assisted Therapy for people with Alzheimer's disease.” June 22, 2010. November 11, 2010

Fine, Aubrey H. Handbook on Animal -Assisted Therapy. 2 nd ed. San diego, California: Academy Press, 2006. Chapter 16,17. Print

Gammonley,J and Howie,A. Animal-assisted therapy therapeutic interventions. Renton, WA: Delta Society. Web. 16 Nov 2010

Jo Willis and Ian Robinson. Bond for Life. Emotions Share by people and their Pets . Wisconsin : Octopus Publishing Press, 2000. Print

Jones, Jaqueline. "Perceptions of the impact of Pet therapy on residents and patients." Therapy Dogs International (1999): Web. 10 Nov 2010.

Katherine A. Kruger and James A. Serpel. Mental Health: Definitions and Theoretical Foundations. University of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. November 10, 2010

Levinson, B. M. “The dog as co-therapist”. Mental Hygiene. Pages 46, 59-65.1962 .Print.

Mereople Pavlides. Animal Assisted Interventions for Individuals with Autism. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2008. Print

Reichert, E. "Individual Counseling for Sexually Abused Children: A Role for Animals and Storytelling". Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, 15 (3), 177-185.1998

Satter, Doreen B. “Companion Animals and Your Health”: How Pets Help Us Deal with Stress and Other Conditions.” Web.April 12, 2007. 12 Nov 2010

Therapy Dogs International,INC." Perceptions on the Impact of Pet Therapy on Residents and Patients. 1998: Print

Work Consulted 11