Animal Assisted Therapy

Chloe Durkee, Leah Rodriguez, Andrea Arzabala Valencia

Animal Assisted Therapy

START

populations

evidence

interventions

Key concepts

Assumptions

origins

INDEX

• Samuel Corson & Elizabeth O'Leary Corson
• with Boris Levinson...
• Empirically studied canine-assisted interventions
• "more humane" (Fung)
• Greeks, Florence Nightingale, Freud, Red Cross, Levinson, Corson

• Boris Levinson
• & his dog, Jingles
• 1961, published "The Dog as a Co-Therapist"
• 1964, coined the term "Pet Therapy"
• Popularized AAT in the United States

Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT): "a therapeutic intervention that incorporates animals, such as horses, dogs, cats, and birds into the treatment plan" (Fine).

Origins

The Emotional Bond Between Humans and Animals This bond can create a trusting, emotionally safe, nonjudgmental environment that can elicit positive emotions such as comfort and relaxation while reducing stress and anxiety. This bond also serves as the basis for easing loneliness, social support through interactions with the client's animal and people, increasing physical exercise, and improving communication and self-regulation skills.

Central Assumptions

Therapeutic Environment

Human Animal Interaction

Social and Behavioral Benefits

Nonverbal Communication

Emotional and Psychological Benefits

Animals as the Therapeutic Agent

key concepts

With the aim of fostering trust, empathy, and emotional support

Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI): goal-oriented and structured interventions that intentionally incorporate animals in health, education, and human service for the purpose of therapeutic gains and improved health and welness

Birds

Cats

Dolphins

Horses

Guinea Pigs

Rabbits

Dogs

interventions

Emotional Support Animals

Virtual Animal- Assisted Therapy

Service Animals

Guide Dogs

Therapy Animals

Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI): goal-oriented and structured interventions that intentionally incorporate animals in health, education, and human service for the purpose of therapeutic gains and improved health and welness

Hearing Dogs

Individual Therapy

Group Therapy

interventions

Research has shown something as simple as petting an animal releases automatic relaxation responses, promoting serotonin and oxytocin. Its empirical support lies in reports of - reduced anxiety and depression symptoms,- reduced pain in patients who previously reported chronic and acute pain,- reduction in hypervigilance and nightmares reported by veterans with PTSD,- reduced anhedonia in schizophrenia patients, and- increased collaborative and otherwise social behaviors in patients with neurological disorders.

References

evidence-based findings

- Patients with allergies to animals- Patients with attachment issues- Patients who struggle with a fear of animals

- Children on the Autism Spectrum Disorder- College students- Suicide prevention- Hospital patients- Nursing home residents- Psychiatric patients (schizophrenia, PTSD)

incompatible

compatible

Compatible populations

• A beginner’s guide to animal-assisted intervention terminology - pet partners. (n.d.-a). https://petpartners.org/a-beginners-guide-to-animal-assisted-intervention-terminology/
• Fine, A. H., Beck, A. M., & Ng, Z. (2019). The state of animal-assisted interventions: Addressing the contemporary issues that will shape the future. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(20), 3997. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16203997
• Fung, A. (2024). The rich history and evolution of animal-assisted therapy. Journal of Alternative, Complementary & Integrative Medicine, 10(1), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.24966/acim-7562/100443
• Sussex Publishers. (n.d.). Animal-assisted therapy. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/animal-assisted-therapy

References

Human-Animal Interaction

HAI or Human-Animal Interaction refers to the relationship between the client, animal, and therapeutic journey and the role that the interactions between the client and animal play in therapeutic interactions.

Research has shown that virtual animal-assisted therapy is a producitve therapeutic intervention.

Virtual Animal-Assisted Therapy

Animal-Assisted Therapy

Dogs that accompany people with auditory impairements.

Hearing Dog

Animal-Assisted Interventions

Nonverbal Communication

Animals can pick up on nonverbal cues that can help facilitate nonverbal communication, especially for clients with language barriers and communication difficulties. This can create an atmosphere of comfort.

Animals that provide comfort and support to people living in hospitals, assisted living spaces, and attending schools.

Therapy Animal

Animal-Assisted Interventions

Emotional and Psychological Benefits

Benefits Include: - Reduced Stress and Anxiety - Lower Blood Pressure - Improved Mood - Enhanced Relaxation - Release of Endorphins and Oxytocin that Promote Feelings of Happiness and Calm

Animals as a Therapeutic Agent

Animals serve as active participants in the client's therapeutic process and play a role in the client's therapeutic outcomes. They help clients open up emotionally and make their therapy a positive experience.

Animals that are individually trained to accompany people with disabilities.

Service Animals

Animal-Assisted Interventions

Therapeutic Environment

The environment in which AAT takes place is important in creating a safe and trusting environment for the client. The goal is for the therapy to be conducted in a relaxed and supportive setting to help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

A dog that accompanies people with visual impairements.

Guide Dogs

Animal-Assisted Interventions

Social and Behavioral Benefits

Animals in AAT can encourage socialization and reduce feelings of isolation from others. They help improve social interactions and behaviors, especially for those who have disorders that impact communication and behavior

A pet that provides comfort and support to people with mental illnesses

Emotional Support Animals

Animal-Assisted Interventions