english 114 / oral presentation

Animal Assisted Therapy:

Animal Assisted Therapy What are the benefits to both the patients and the animals? By Tessa Dorsey 7/18/2011

Key Terms and Definitions:

Key Terms and Definitions AAA AAT AAA/AAT Benefits for Clients Examples of AAT Goals AAA/AAT Benefits for Facilities Facts about Therapy Animals

Animal-assisted activities (AAA): :

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.

Types of Animal Used for Therapy::

Types of Animal Used for Therapy: Farm animals Smaller or less common types of animals such as: Rabbits, Birds, Fish, Hamsters, & Llamas Each animal provides a specific skills & abilities to contribute to the therapeutic process.

What is Animal Therapy?:

What is Animal Therapy? Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) – Is a goal directed intervention in which an animal meeting specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. It is commonly delivered and/or directed by a handler / service provider working within the scope of his/her profession. The therapy can occur in a variety of settings: including group or individual A Therapy is Documented and Evaluated for proof of validity and to monitor Goal Achievement

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT): :

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.

History:

History The importance of animals in people’s lives has been recognized for centuries The contribution of animals to enhance quality of human life has been documented, both formally and informally.

AAT Claims::

AAT Claims: Healing can occur when a relationship is formed between two species AAT may be highly beneficial in addition to other treatments Tactile features to “draw a child out” Stimulates development of verbal communication and other objects in a less frightening atmosphere Increases self confidence Leads to an increase in the patients willingness to learn skills at school, at home or within a facility

Famous History Therapy Facts::

Famous History Therapy Facts: During World War II Corporal William Wynn was wounded in the line of duty in the Philippines. Attributes his speed and full recovery to the companionship of a Smoky-Yorkshire Terrier Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN Dr. Charles Mayo serving as the Commanding Officer of the Mayo Clinic Hospital attributes the therapy and recovery of many to his aide: a 12 year old therapy dog they call Smoky

Benefits for Clients:

Benefits for Clients Provides Positive Physiological effects (e.g. decrease heart rate and blood pressure) Promotes Mental stimulation (e.g. recall memories) Creates Feelings of Acceptance Creates an Outward focus Generates Opportunities for Empathy and Nurturing Increases Self Motivation

Benefits Continued::

Benefits Continued: Pet therapy can be easily incorporated into schools & counseling settings Animals in classroom & counseling sessions help to facilitate an atmosphere of trust, nurturance, & relationship building Animals are proven to actually help a person to focus on a task because of an interest in interacting with the pet.

Other Benefits::

Other Benefits: Pet therapy may be used to curb violence in schools When a student talks to the animal while the therapist listens is easier than talking to the therapist for more difficult issues. Pets in the class can enhance humane attitudes towards animals & these more humane attitudes persisted in a one year follow up Benefits are shown similar with AAT use in Prison counseling settings. Inmates become more empathetic and violence has been shown to drop in facilities where AAT is used not only as therapy but allowing the inmates to assist and be trained as handlers

Facility Benefits:

Facility Benefits Provide cost effective treatments Increase patient and staff satisfaction Improve clinical outcomes Experience faster recovery times Utilize cutting edge clinical applications

Goals:

Goals Physical - improve fine motor skills, balance and coordination Mental Health - increase attention skills, reduce anxiety and reduce loneliness Educational - improve a knowledge of concepts such as size, color and shapes Motivational - improve the willingness to be involved and to interact with others

Mental Health Treatment Goals::

Mental Health Treatment Goals: Improve socialization & communication reduce isolation, boredom, & loneliness brighten affect & mood, lessen depression, & provide pleasure & affection improve memory & recall address grieving & loss issues improve self-esteem, be presented with opportunities to succeed & feel important & improve feelings of self worth

Facts:

Facts A visiting animal-handler team is the most common source of therapy that participate in AAA/AAT. These teams travel from their homes to facilities for durations usually lasting 1 to no longer than 2 hours work hands on with patients. Residential animals living 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.

Standards that Should Always Apply!:

Standards that Should Always Apply! Pet Partners and Teams should provide a Training Course to the Facility Health Screening of Animals Both the Handler and Animal Team should have Proper Evaluations Discuss Fees and Requirements Prior to Therapy

Standardized Requirements:

Standardized Requirements Standardized screening - require good health, cleanliness, and appropriate skills and aptitudes for every registered animal Standardized training - prepare handlers with practical knowledge of infection control and prevention of “zoonotic diseases” (i.e. infections transmitted from animals to humans) Standardized training - teach practical ways to prevent and respond to possible risks, accidents, or unusual occurrences

Common AAT Include::

Common AAT Include: Dolphin Therapy Hippotherapy/Equine Therapy (Horse Therapy) Bovine Therapy Canine Therapy Elephant Therapy Bird Therapy Rabbit Therapy Lizard Therapy

Specific Therapy: Hippotherapy:

Specific Therapy: Hippotherapy Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement as part of an integrated intervention program to achieve functional outcomes Rhythmic and repetitive movement

Animal Therapy::

Animal Therapy: Teaching children to engage in the care and handling of domestic animals within a classroom or home May be taught care-taking responsibilities as daily routines Handlers work in close connection with patient's, doctors, and therapists to accomplish specific, targeted and measurable treatment goals

Promoting / Improving AAT::

Promoting / Improving AAT: Conduct workshops to train potential Pet Partners volunteers Train professional healthcare staff in AAT Applications Continue to add new animals and techniques to the AAT Applications in place

Conclusion::

Conclusion: AAT (Animal Assisted Therapy) is beneficial on several aspects AAT is not limited to a particular atmosphere A variety of animals can be used and trained with AAT New techniques and handler training is vital All interactions, training, goal setting and achievements should be documented

References::

References: http://animaltherapy.net http://deltasociety.org http://therapet.com http://americanhumane.org