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
Definition of 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.
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.
Features of AAT are:
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
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:
the brush out of the bag.
the dog to “stay.”
the dog, “Good boy!”
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.
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.)
provides opportunities for motivational, educational, recreational,
and/or therapeutic benefits to enhance quality of life. AAA are
delivered in a variety of environments by specially trained
professionals, paraprofessionals, and/or volunteers, in association with
animals that meet specific criteria.
Typically, animal-assisted activities are casual "meet and greet" activities that involve pets
The same activity can be repeated with many people, unlike a
therapy program that is tailored to a particular person or medical
an example of AAA – an individual brings their dog to a long-term care
facility to visit the residents. Although the staff is involved in the
visits, no treatment goals have been set for the visit. Aside from
signing in and out, no records are kept.
Features of AAA:
treatment goals are not planned for each visit.
and treatment providers are not required to take detailed notes.
content is spontaneous and visits last as long or as short as
group of volunteers take their dogs and cats to a nursing home once
a month to "visit." The visit occurs as a large-group
activity with some direction and assistance provided by facility
staff. The volunteer group facilitator keeps an informal log about
who was visited.
individual brings her dog to a children's long-term care facility to
"play" with residents. Although the staff is involved in
the visits, the staff has not set treatment goals for the
interactions. Aside from signing in and out, no records are kept.
dog obedience club gives an obedience demonstration at a residential
facility for teenagers with delinquent behavior.
interactions may provide the following benefits to adults and children
in a variety of human care facilities:
(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
(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.
(Promoting the growth and development of another
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
(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
(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.
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
(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 and staff.
Between clients, staff, and family or other
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 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
(Positive effects on the basic functioning of the
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
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