animal assisted therapy (aat) · fine 2000, animal and therapist: incorporating animals an in...
TRANSCRIPT
The Team
Animal Assisted Intervention
Animal Assisted
Intervention
Animal Assisted
Activities
Animal Assisted
Therapy
Animal Assisted
Education
Definition of AAT
“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” (Pichot, 2012).
Generally, AAT is not provided as a stand-alone therapy but rather is used to
augment existing treatment strategies. Animals should enhance the therapy
process rather than create a distraction from the healing process/ goals of
therapy.
Common Mental Health/ Educational Goals of AAT for Students
• Improved socialization and communication skills
• Reduce isolation, boredom and loneliness (Whitaker, 1994)
• Improve memory, recall and process instructions
• Improve self-esteem (Janssen, 1998)
• Decrease manipulative and abusive behaviours
• Improve expressions of feelings and empathy
• Fosters an ability to trust
• Reduced stress, general anxiety and depression
• Improves symptoms of PTSD and attachment disorders (Stable, 1995
& Altschuler, 1999)
• Physiological impact
Benefits of AAT to the Therapeutic Process and
School
• Relieves tension and anxiety related to therapy
• Decreases the need for language in therapy
• Calmer Classrooms/ Reduces distractibility
• Boundary and Limit Setting
• Animal is seen as the student’s friend, ally and non judgemental
• Used to curb aggression within the therapeutic setting
• Contributes to staff self care
• Increased school and therapeutic engagement
Application of AAT
Communication Verbal and Non verbal Activities
Social Participation, Relating to others,
Perspective Taking
Restorative Conversations
Language Development
Mindfulness activities
Literacy
Reflection/ Mirroring
Behavioural Intervention
Self Esteem/ Image
Fine Motor and Hand Eye Coordination
Knowledge and Skills Requires for AAT/Issues to be aware of?
• Social skills development and obedience training for the pet
• Certification course with Alpha or Delta
• Assessing the appropriateness of AAT with a particular client
• Understanding the social and cultural factors of the client and or agency
• Legal/ Insurance
• Safe Interaction
• Animal Stress and fatigue, suitability and strengths
• Strong understanding of your professional scope practice.
Helpful Resources
References
Altschuler, EL 1999, ‘Pet-Facilitated Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder’, Annals
of Clinical Psychiatry, no. 1, vol.11, pp. 29-30.
Chandler, CK 2012, Animal Assisted Therapy in Counselling, 2nd edn, Routledge, Taylor
and Frances group, New York, US.
Chandler, CK, Portrie-Bethke, TL, Barrio Minton, CA, Fernando , DM &O’Callaghan, DM
2010, ‘Matching animal assisted Therapy techniques and intentions with counselling
guiding theories’, Journal of Mental Health, no. 54 ,vol. 4, pp. 354-374.
Connor, K & Miller, J 2000, ‘Help from our animal friends.’, Nurse Manage, no. 7, vol.
31, pp. 42-46.
Dietz, TJ, Davis, D & Penning, J 2012, ‘Evaluating animal-assisted therapy in group
treatment for child sexual abuse’, Journal of child sexual abuse, no. 21, vol. 6, pp.665-
683.
Fawcett, NR & Gullone, E 2001, ‘Cute and Cuddly and a Whole Lot More? A Call for
Empirical Investigation into the Therapeutic Benefits of Human–Animal Interaction for
Children’, Behaviour Change, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 124-133.
References
Fine 2000, Animal and therapist: Incorporating animals an in outpatient psychotherapy.
In fine, A (ed.) Handbook on animal-assisted therapy: Theoretical foundation
guidelines for practice, Academic Press, California, pp. 179-211.
Fontena, G & Jones 2015, G, Animal assisted therapy for human-canine teams, course
manual, Intensive Therapy Dog-Handlers Course, Alpha Canine Professional and Lead
the Way Psychology & Animal Assisted .
Friedman, E & Tsai, C 2006, ‘The animal- Human Bond: Health and Wellness’.in A. Fine
(ed.), Handbook on Animal Assisted Therapy: Theoretical Foundations and Guidelines
for Practice, 2nd edn, Academia Press, United States.
Gammonley, J, Howie, AR, Kirwin, S, Zapf, SA, Frye, J, Freeman, G & Stuart-Russell,
R 1997, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Therapeutic Interventions (Animals Helping People,
People Helping Animals), Delta Society, WA.
References
Janssen, MA 1998, ‘Therapeutic Interventions: Animal Assisted Therapy Programs’,
Palestra, no. 4, vol. 31, p. 40.
Kogan, Granger, Gitchett, Helmer & Young (199). The human-animal team approach for
children with emotional disorders: Two case studies. Child and Youth Care Forum,
28,105-121.
Mallon GP 1992, Utilization of animals as therapeutic adjuncts with children and
youth: A review of the literature child and youth care forum, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 53-67.
Menzies HC 2003, AAT and Young people review of selected literature, Menzies, viewed
15 May 2017, < www.menzies.org.au/publications/animal-assisted-therapy-report.pdf >
Nimer, J & Lundahl, B 2007, ‘Animal Assisted Therapy: Ameta Analysis’, Anthrozoos,
vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 225-238.
Stable, P 1995, ‘Pets, Attachment, and Well-Being across the Life Cycle’, Social work,
no. 3, vol. 40, pp. 334-341.
Thank You
Questions?