PET THERAPY OR ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY: AN INCREASING HOLISTIC APPROACH
Abhishek Rai, President, PAWSj, Jamshedpur, CEO-Doggysogy
Definition “Animal Assisted Therapy
“Animal-assisted therapy” includes deliberately planned pedagogic, psychological and socially integrative interventions with animals for children, youths, adults and senior citizens with cognitive, social-emotional and motoric disabilities, and behavioural problems, and for focused support. It also includes health-promoting, preventive and rehabilitative measures.Animal-assisted therapy takes place individually and within a group setting.
Animal-assisted therapy is based on the relationship and process structure within a triangular relationship between the client, animal and therapist. Animal-assisted therapy involves methods by which clients interact with animals, communicate via animals or are active for animals. Implementation is goal-oriented and based on a clear process and topic orientation taking into account animal-ethical principles with subsequent documentation and professional well-founded considerations.
The general goals of animal-assisted therapy are:
• the restoration and maintenance of physical, cognitive and emotional functions,
• the support of capabilities and skills by carrying out activities and treatments,
• the support of inclusiveness in the particular life situation, and
• the improvement of subjective wellbeing.
Introduction
Pet Therapy is a generic term used to describe Animal-Assisted Activities and Animal-Assisted Therapy. Recently, these terms have been summarized with the term, Animal-Assisted Interventions.
Definition of AAT
Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) 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 practice of his/her profession.
AAT is designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning. AAT is provided in a variety of settings and may be group or individual in nature. All AAT interventions are documented and evaluated for their effectiveness.
Key Features of AAT are:
• There are specified goals and objectives for each individual.
• Progress is measured.
• AAT is always directed by a professional.
Examples of AAT:
• A volunteer brings her cat to a rehabilitation center to work with an occupational therapist and a child who has difficulty controlling fine motor skills. To improve the client’s fine motor skills, the therapist has the child manipulate buckles, clasps on leashes, collars, and animal carriers. The child also opens containers of treats for the cat and feeds small pieces of food to the cat.
• In an animal-assisted therapy session designed to improve a client’s ability to sequence events, a therapist teaches a client the steps of brushing a dog.
For example:
- Get the brush out of the bag.
- Tell the dog to “stay.”
- Brush the dog.
- Tell the dog, “Good boy!”
Motivated by the opportunity to brush the dog himself, the client remembers the steps, and the therapist has the client recite the order of events aloud as he goes through the actual sequence.
• A woman recovering from a stroke has limited standing and walking tolerance. A physical therapist uses the presence of a dog to motivate the client by placing the dog on a raised table and asking the client to stand while stroking or brushing the animal’s back and head. To increase the client’s ambulation skills, the therapist has the client walk the dog for short distances around the facility grounds. (The handler uses a double lead and walks alongside the dog and client.)
Human-animal interactions may provide the following benefits to adults and children in a variety of human care facilities:
Empathy
(Identifying with and understanding the feelings and motives of another.)
Studies report that children who live in homes in which a pet is considered a member of the family are more empathetic than children in homes without pets.
Children see animals as peers. It is easier to teach children to be empathetic with an animal than with a human. With animals, what you see is what you get. Humans are not as direct.
Outward Focus
(Bringing individuals out of themselves.)
Individuals who have mental illness or low self-esteem focus on themselves; animals can help them focus on their environment rather than thinking and talking about themselves and their problems. They watch and talk to and about the animals.
Nurturing
(Promoting the growth and development of another living thing.)
Nurturing skills are learned. Many at-risk children have not learned nurturing skills through the traditional channel – their parents. By being taught to take care of an animal, children can develop these skills. Psychologically, when a person nurtures, his/her need to be nurtured is being fulfilled.
Rapport
(A relationship of mutual trust or a feeling of connection or bonding.)
Animals can open a channel of emotionally safe, non-threatening communication between client and therapist.
In therapy settings, animals help present an air of emotional safety. If a therapist has an animal in his/her office, s/he “can’t be all bad.” The animal’s presence may open a path through the person’s initial resistance. Children are especially likely to project their feelings and experiences onto an animal.
Acceptance
(Favorable reception or approval.)
Animals have a way of accepting without qualification. They don’t care how a person looks or what they say. An animal’s acceptance is nonjudgmental, forgiving, and uncomplicated by the psychological games people often play.
Entertainment
At a minimum, the presence of an animal can be entertaining. Even people who don’t like animals often enjoy watching their antics and reactions. Especially in long-term care facilities, it seems everyone is entertained by animal visits in some way.
Socialization
(Seeking out or enjoying the company of others.)
Studies have shown that when dogs and cats come to visit a care facility, there is more laughter and interaction among residents than during any other “therapy” or entertainment time. In an inpatient setting, the presence of animals encourages socialization in 3 ways:
• Between clients.
• Between clients and staff.
• Between clients, staff, and family or other visitors.
Staff members have reported that it is easier to talk to residents during and after animal visits. Family members often come during the animal visits and some have reported that it is an especially comfortable and pleasant time to come.
Mental Stimulation
Mental stimulation occurs because of increased communication with other people, recalled memories, and the entertainment provided by the animals. In situations that are depressing or institutional, the presence of the animals serves to brighten the atmosphere, increasing amusement, laughter, and play. These positive distractions may help to decrease people’s feelings of isolation or alienation.
Physical Contact, Touch
Much has been written about the correlation between touch and health. Infants who are not touched do not develop healthy relationships with other people and often fail to thrive and grow physically. For some people, touch from another person is not acceptable, but the warm, furry touch of a dog or cat is. In hospitals, where most touch is painful or invasive, the touch of an animal is safe, non-threatening, and pleasant. There are a number of programs for people who have been physically or sexually abused in which staff and volunteers are not allowed to touch the clients. In cases like these, having an animal to hold, hug, and touch can make a world of difference to people who would otherwise have no positive, appropriate physical contact.
Physiological Benefits
(Positive effects on the basic functioning of the body.)
Many people are able to relax when animals are present. Tests have shown that the decrease in heart rate and blood pressure can be dramatic. Even watching fish swim in an aquarium can be very calming.
Pet therapy is a guided interaction between a person and a trained animal. It also involves the animal’s handler. The purpose of pet therapy is to help someone recover from or cope with a health problem or mental disorder.
Dogs and cats are most commonly used in pet therapy. However, fish, guinea pigs, horses, and other animals that meet screening criteria can also be used. The type of animal chosen depends on the therapeutic goals of a person’s treatment plan.
Pet therapy is also referred to as animal-assisted therapy (AAT). AAT is sometimes confused with animal-assisted activities (AAA). AAT is a formal, structured set of sessions that helps people reach specific goals in their treatment. AAA involves more casual meetings in which an animal and its handler interact with one or more people for comfort or recreation.
BENEFITS
What are the benefits of pet therapy?
Pet therapy builds on the pre-existing human-animal bond. Interacting with a friendly pet can help many physical and mental issues. It can help reduce blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health. It can also release endorphins that produce a calming effect. This can help alleviate pain, reduce stress, and improve your overall psychological state.
Pet therapy can be used in many different ways. Defined objectives are an important part of therapy, and your progress will be recorded and tracked at structured sessions.
The goals of a pet therapy program can include:
• improving motor skills and joint movement
• improving assisted or independent movement
• increasing self-esteem
• increasing verbal communication
• developing social skills
• increasing willingness to join in activities
• improving interactions with others
• motivating willingness to exercise
Other benefits of pet therapy include:
• making you happier, lessening depression, and improving your outlook on life
• decreasing loneliness and isolation by giving you a companion
• reducing boredom
• reducing anxiety because of its calming effects
• helping children learn empathic and nurturing skills
• improving the relationship between you and your healthcare provider
CANDIDATES
Who should consider pet therapy?
Pet therapy can be useful for:
• people undergoing chemotherapy
• residents in long-term care facilities
• people hospitalized with chronic heart failure
• veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder
• children having physical or dental procedures
• stroke victims and people undergoing physical therapy to regain motor skills
• people with mental health disorders
During a medical procedure, people may have less anxiety if a pet is present. In rehabilitation, people may be more motivated to recover and practice their therapy when working with a pet. People who have sensory disabilities can sometimes communicate more easily with an animal. This encourages more interaction with healthcare providers and other people.
RISKS
What are the risks of pet therapy?
Some of the biggest risks of pet therapy involve safety and sanitation. People who are allergic to animal dander may have reactions during pet therapy. Animals in pet therapy programs are typically screened for behavior and health. An animal’s owner and handler must also undergo training and an evaluation to help ensure a positive experience.
While uncommon, human injury can occur when unsuitable animals are used. Animals may also suffer injury or abuse when handled inappropriately. In some cases, people may become possessive of the animals helping them and be reluctant to give them up after a session. This can result in low self-esteem and depression.
PROCEDURE
How is pet therapy administered?
Your doctor or therapist managing your treatment will administer pet therapy. A trained handler, often the pet’s owner, will take the animal to every meeting and work under your doctor or therapist’s direction to help you reach your goals. In most cases, the handlers work as volunteers. Discussion of proper pet handling is needed to ensure the safety of both the person receiving treatment and the pet.
The first step in pet therapy is the selection of a suitable animal. Many groups and organizations train and connect volunteer owners and pets with healthcare providers. Before an animal and its handler can participate in pet therapy, the team has to fulfill certain requirements. This process typically includes:
• a physical examination of the animal to confirm that it’s immunized and free of diseases
• an obedience training course to ensure proper animal control
• an instructional course to teach the trainer about interaction with other people
• an evaluation of the animal’s temperament and behavior with the handler
• a certification from the sponsoring organization
Once a team of an animal and a handler is approved, animals are assigned for therapy based on a specific person’s needs. The animal’s type, breed, size, age, and natural behavior will determine where it will be most helpful.
Reference-healthlinevet
