Animal Assisted Therapy
Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes
Podcast Host: Happiness Isn’t Brain Surgery, The Addiction Counselor Exam Review
Objectives
~ Define Animal Assisted Therapy
~ Explore the research around animal assisted therapy
~ Review some general cautions
Definitions
~ Animal Assisted Activities/Pet-Therapy
~ Integration of animals into activities to facilitate motivation, education and recreation, encouraging casual interaction without following a specific set of criteria or goals
~ Animal Assisted Therapy
~ Intentional and therapeutic, whereby the animal’s role is integral in assisting with mental health, speech, occupational therapy or physical therapy goals, and augments cognitive, physical, social and/or emotional well-being
General Benefits
~ Reduced blood pressure
~ Release of oxytocin
~ Increase in understanding of UPR (3 legged dog, one eyed cat, blind horse)
~ Biofeedback/Mindfulness
~ Stress reduction and laughter
~ Increased physical activity
~ Consistency and clear communication
~ Decrease learned helplessness behaviors and increase a sense of control over self and environment
General Benefits
~ Act as a bridge by which therapists can reach patients who are withdrawn, uncooperative, and uncommunicative
~ Participants interacting with the animals were more inclined to smile and demonstrate pleasure, and were more sociable and relaxed with other participants
~ More sensitive issues can be rendered less incendiary when an animal is involved
~ A multisensory aspect is also available when an animal is involved; increasing the level of attention and interest of the client who is active or struggles with focus or concentration
Which Animals Can Be used
~ Any Animals…
~ Fish
~ Guinea Pigs
~ Dogs
~ Cats
~ Rabbits
~ Horses
~ Dolphin…
Hippotherapy (Equine)
~ Using horse movement to compliment therapy
~ Self-awareness
~ Developing trust and respect
~ Meeting/Join Up (understanding the prey/predator relationship)
~ Petting
~ Feeding
~ Addressing personalization/exploring dialectics
~ Going into a barn or trailer
~ Bonding/relaxation
~ Confidence
~ Acceptance (despite being different)
~ Choosing animals with differences
~ Highlighting unique animal pairs (donkey and goat)
Farm Animals
~ The diversity of a farm experience offers much stimulation, and provides the basis for creative and varied interventions, such as providing the client with opportunities to practice
~ Nurturing activities
~ Organizational skills
~ Perspective taking
~ Problem solving
Dogs
~ A “dog’s social life is organized around dominance-subordinance relationships”
~ Dogs are expected to obey commands and offer clients what is often referred to as “unconditional acceptance” (Brewster vs. Duke)
~ Difference in the children’s response during sessions, including more laughing, increased eye contact, communication with the dog, and a desire to connect through feeding the animal dog treats
~ Teaching people positive dog training techniques could help them understand
~ Clear communication
~ Relationship development (trust, respect, nurturance and termination)
~ Empathy
~ Perspective-taking
~ Delayed gratification
~ The connection between behaviors and consequences in a non-threatening manner
Cats
~ “Cat socialization toward is based on
~ “Give and take”
~ Mutuality/reciprocity
~ Respect for their independent nature
~ In contrast to human-horse or human-dog relationships. Chandler (2005) listed the following attributes for felines in therapy:
~ Quietness and calmness
~ Level of comfort with being touched
~ Motivation to