Animal Assisted Therapy

In the field of therapy, there are numerous of therapy available out there for different type of individuals and situations as well. There is one type of therapy that usually contains people and animal, it is animal-assisted therapy is a therapeutic approach that brings animals and individuals with physical and/or emotional needs together to perform the therapy. Animal-assisted therapy tend to be focused on individuals either children or elderly for them to be able to connect with the animal thus feeling comfortable talking with the therapist. Pet therapy works for all ages, whether sick or not (Lanchnit, 2011). Although, this paper, most of the focus is on animal-assisted therapy towards children using dogs.

The human-animal bond is a very powerful connection, built strongly on the practices of healing and understanding. The relation is mutually beneficial for both parties, stimulating better health in both the human and his or her animal companion. Animal-assisted therapy utilizes this unique connection to treat those suffering from a variety of illnesses, diseases, and disorders. More specifically, the use of therapy dogs is the most common form of animal-assisted therapy. Their services are vastly used all around the world and are quickly growing in popularity as one of the most practiced therapeutic methods to date. Although this therapeutic method is becoming so prominent, there are many still questioning whether animal-assisted therapy is

Animal assisted therapy is used in hospitals and colleges throughout the United States and all around the world . Dogs, cats, fish, birds and many other types of animals are used to help calm people and bring them a sense of companionship. The animals also provide unconditional love for people who feel depressed and alone. Some doctors may oppose this type of therapy because they do not believe that it “actually” helps patients, but studies throughout the years have shown that this can be the best option for students in college and patients that are terminally ill. Statistics have shown that animal assisted therapy is one of the best options of therapy for people who struggle with depression, anxiety, stress, and many other mental illnesses. This type of therapy can also help with physical ailments. Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) has been proven to be beneficial to a multitude of people in many different situations.

Therapy does not always mean sitting in an office talking to a psychologist. Sometimes it could mean someone going to a dentist appointment with a dog by his or her side or even riding a horse. Animal assisted therapy is treatment focusing on relationships between humans and other animals, and the human-animal bond in clinical and social settings (Giaquinto, 595). Although it has been proven to provide a handful of benefits to different types of people, incorporating animal therapy in public facilities continues to be debated (Ward, 198). Throughout the years, different types of programs have come about to specialize to certain people or groups (Kršková, 51). Animal assisted therapy is a growing subject that can provide major health advantages

AAT utilizes trained and certified animals to improve an individual’s well-being in all aspects emotional, physical and social (Sellers, 2004). It is relatively a new treatment and was initially implemented by Boris Levinson in his psychotherapy practice (Perkins et al., 2008). AAT, with its tactile comfort and companionship as well as a mode of social interaction, encourages a positive attitude and eases the negative effect of living in a retirement facility (Perkins et al., 2008). Unlike interventions with humans which tends to be judgmental and biased, animals tend to be more friendly and non-judgmental thus, facilitating more sociable behaviors than even more than the well-intentioned staff members (LaFrance et al., 2007).

Animal assisted therapy is based upon biophilia hypothesis. This basically states the relationship between animals and humans long ago. Because humans sometimes depended on animals for survival, when we see an animal rest, it signals the human that they too can be calm and rest. Due to this hypothesis based therapy, animals who simply rest upon the patient’s beds, give the individual a will to

(Introduction) What makes dogs such good companions and comforters? Is it their unconditional love? Their non-judgmental attitude? Their amazing loyalty? Or could it be a mix of all of these? Dogs have been used for therapists for a very long time. As one reporter states, “The use of pets in medical settings actually dates back more than 150 years” (Reporter, 2012). So why are dogs good for therapy? And what benefits do they bring? And what do they actually do? One reporter who works for a therapy dog agency seems to sum it all up: “Science is finally confirming what people have known intuitively for years: therapy dogs help people physically, emotionally, and socially” (Becker, 2016). The real question is: Can therapy dogs actually bring benefits and improvements into peoples’ lives that would not otherwise have been there? The answer: yes. Why? Therapy dogs change and improve peoples’ lives because they offer support to struggling patients, they do not judge people who are feeling low about themselves, they help people see the joy in life, they release hormones that improve our bodies. In other words, “It’s something us dog people have always known: dogs improve our lives, and sometimes even save them” (Geir, 2015).

Researchers have found animal-assisted therapy to be useful for certain individuals through pilot studies (e.g. Chu et al., 2009; Kovacs et al., 2004; Nathans-Barel et al., 2005). One of the reasons for this may be due to the human-animal bond discussed by Brown (2004), who explains that the reason for a human-animal bond is potentially due to viewing the animal as a ‘selfobject’. Although we are not searching for reasons why animal-assisted therapy is effective for patients with schizophrenia, it is useful to keep in mind why animal-assisted therapy may be effective. Interacting with animals weekly is beneficial for patients with schizophrenia who are institutionalized (Chu et al., 2009; Kovacs et al., 2004). However, these studies did not examine whether actually owning a pet is as beneficial for an individual with schizophrenia, and if this is more beneficial for individuals with a lower severity of symptoms or with a higher severity of symptoms. The human-animal bond due to viewing the animal as a ‘selfobject’ (Brown, 2004) should mean that actually owning an animal rather than interacting with it once a week would be more beneficial. However, owning a pet could be stressful for some individuals, especially those who have lower functioning skills. I predict, however, that the increased human-animal bond will override any potential negative effects of

Animals are sometimes soothing, helpful and playful but what if they were not just an ordinary pet? What if they were therapeutic doctors that helped ease pain away from patients and allowed others to recover and heal faster? Every question that has just been asked is benefits from using this form of therapy. Moving onward to why using this form is very beneficial, animals are usually looked upon as caring, loving family members. Animal Assisted therapy is a very common use of therapy but it does have negative effects but the positive aspects make the use of animal assisted therapy more needed around the world, and it reduces blood pressure for patients, relieves anxiety, grief and isolation.

Therapy for those affected could take place in various areas such as mental hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and teens in therapeutic boarding schools. The treatment is undertaken for people in groups or individuals. This whole process is done by experts in the field of therapy and professionals. Some could feel that Animal therapy is more of having a pet at home on a typical day. However, it

Animal Assisted Therapy is an area of Human Relations. Human Relations deals with counseling and Therapy. The use of animals help people relax and deal with the issues, problems and stresses in their lives. People see the unconditional love of the animal as acceptance as they are broken and hurt. Therapists have chosen Animal Assisted Therapy because they want to help people. The use of animals create a safe transition to conversation. People find the common love of an animal and feel more comfortable to talk. The use of Animal Assisted Therapy reportedly dates back to the 1940’s when an army corporal brought his Yorkshire Terrier to a hospital to cheer wounded soldiers. There was such a positive response that the dog continued to comfort others for twelve more years (“Animal Assisted Therapy.” - Dr. Weil 's Wellness Therapies. Web. 3 Dec. 2015.). Animal Assisted Therapy is proven to help not only physical but mental problems, whether it be in children, middle aged men and women, elders, or even veterans and their families.

The last objective the members will obtain is canine companionship. Stern, Donahue, Allison, Hatch, Lancaster, Benson, and Peterson (2013) announce how associating with an animal companion can reduce loneliness, anxiety, depression, and can improve an individual who is suffering from medical problems overall health (Stern, Donahue, Allison, Hatch, Lancaster, Benson, & Peterson, 2013). Finally, this companionship will help the member establish trustful relationships.

Animals and humans have long shared a strong bond (Bakerjian, 2014). Companion animals are animals that live with humans and are part of the family system. They offer benefits such as lowering blood pressure, helping owners maintain an exercise schedule, improving psychological wellbeing and lowering risk of diabetes and heart attacks (Anger & Akins, 2014). This simple relationship humans have with animals has lead to future predictors and research directions into investigating the impact of pet therapy across a range of contexts (Evans & Gray, 2012). Pet therapy, or Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) helps in the physical, social, emotional and cognitive functioning of the participant (Anger & Akins, 2014). Studies have investigated the relationship and benefits AAT brings to mental health, seniors, autism spectrum disorder and hospitalized patients. These studies have shown that AAT decreases blood pressure, reduces anxiety and improve overall human mental and physical health and wellbeing (Bell, 2013; Chur-Hansen, McArthur, Winfield, Haniech & Hazel, 2014). There is a common perception that children, more specifically hospitalized children, benefit from animal visits. However, there is little literature evidence on the benefits of AAT on hospitalized children (Chur-Hansen et al., 2014). By analyzing the importance and relevance of animal assisted therapy in hospitals and with a variety of populations, this research aims to gain a better understanding of the benefits of AAT in

Animals of all kinds have been known for their positive impact on humans. Animal-assisted Therapy (AAT) was first incorporated into the mental health institutions in the late eighteenth century to help increase socializations among the patients. As of today, a number of AAT programs have mainly targeted populations of patients with PTSD or those who have experienced trauma. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is classified as an anxiety disorder characterized by the common symptoms avoidance, intrusion, alterations in mood and cognition, and alterations in arousal and reactivity (O’Haire, M.E,. Guerin, N.A., & Kirkham, A.C., 2015). The presence of an animal is thought to encourage a safe and open environment, elicit positive emotion and warmth, increase socializations, and increase the release of oxytocin, which aids in the relaxation process. Perhaps that’s why PTSD or trauma patients respond so well when AAT is included in treatment. AAT is not a therapy used alone, but rather coupled with other treatment to enhance the therapy process. (Dietz, T. J., Davis., & Pennings, J. 2012).

“Animals are such agreeable friends- they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms” (George Eliot) for that reason they are the future of therapy. There are so many benefits for therapeutic patients with AAT (Animal Assisted Therapy)(Citation) so why doesn 't animal assisted therapy have a place in medicine. Experience has found animals to be keen observers of human behaviour, specifically dogs. The experimentation with animal therapy was based on the idea that the majority of people enjoy cute animals and by nature they are loyal and considerably one of life’s good things (Citation). The idea of animals being cute and delightful is non-exclusive to any age, race, ethnicity, gender or religion. There are various studies as well as personal testaments that focus on how individuals function better when in the presence of animals. The lack of judgement by the animals is comforting to people. Amy McCullough, National director of research and therapy touched on this by saying that “they accept you for the way you are flaws and all. They are so forgiving and they are always happy to see you. Their behavior is just so consistent and so consistently happy that I think it’s just comforting to people knowing that there is a being there that you can always count to be happy