Animal Assisted Therapy Essay

Medical professionals have recently seen the positive effects animals are able to provide to their patients with mental disabilities. The emotional support dog MA recognizes

In a recent study conducted by Rebecca Johnson, Ph.D., RN, of the University of Missouri-Columbia Center for the Study of Animal Wellness showed that when humans pet a dog, within minutes there is a huge amount of beneficial hormones known to be associated with health and feelings of well-being.(Becker par. 2) These hormones are called beta endorphin, prolactin, dopamine, oxytocin, and beta phenylethylamine (Becker par. 2). The hormones that are released from the interaction between the animal and the human allow the patients to feel more blissful and trusting. Along with being emotionally benefited from working with animals in assisted therapy; people can benefit physically. For example, people who have physical

Nepps, & Bruckno, (2014) and Souter & Miller,(2007) results were determined by pre/ post questionnaires and scales that viewed each participant mood before and after each session to see the outcome and effectiveness. It showed a dramatic increase in mood. It was also shown that that therapeutic alliance is enhanced with the addition of a therapy dog within a group setting with adult clients in a residential drug abuse treatment setting. Animal assisted therapy has also been shown to reduce feelings of anger and symptoms of PTSD, which can contribute to an overall improvement of mood and reduce depressive

The survey will help me reach the goal of reducing the feelings of depression, loneliness, low self-steam and autonomy that older adults face when they live alone. With the survey I will get information about which areas the participant improved after spending time with their dog or cat, and what areas need improvement. The animals should provide love to the elders, and companionship. I will also be able to see the benefits that dogs bring to the health of the elders, like normal blood pressure and higher immune

The evidence based research that this article supports is specific to the diagnosis of adults living with dementia, while it looks at the effects of Animal – Assisted therapy intervention on the agitated behaviors and social interactions of this diagnosis. This article is written through the eyes of a CTRS whom is using this intervention study with nursing home residents from a therapeutic recreation perspective. With the large increase in our aging population we will also be seeing an increase in dementia-associated behaviors such as agitation. By finding non-traditional treatment interventions such as Animal Assisted therapy we are setting ourselves up for success at an early time. This evidence-based research was based on a pilot study of

Questions arise concerning the treatment of therapy dogs when visiting patients and whether animal-assisted therapy really works at all; however, those who disagree aren’t looking at the big picture. Animal-assisted therapy is both an ethical and effective therapy method due to its success in treating those with chronic diseases, disorders, and managing stress and anxiety. The varieties of cases regarding the success of therapy dog treatments far surmount the amount of cases saying otherwise. Animal-assisted therapy stems from the human-animal connection, one of the most unique and powerful bonds man has ever experienced. It is that connection that allows animal assisted therapy to be a critical part of everyone’s daily

Pet therapy is a big help in dementia. Pet therapy type interactions can lift spirits of those living at living centers. Pet

With limited empirical research supporting the use and effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy, it is reasonable to suggest that the costs of implementing AAT into occupational therapy are not worth the benefits. Occupational therapy modalities are already effective at treating patients with many different disabilities and/or disorders—integrating a new type of therapy into occupational therapy is less convenient and more expensive than leaving an already effective therapy as is.

Animal assisted therapy, or AAT for short, began with the first documented case at an asylum run by the Society of Friends in England 1792. The first documented case of animal assisted therapy in the United States was not until 1919 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington D.C. During the 1930s, famous psychoanalysist Sigmund Freud become an advocate for AAT when he used his dog, Jofi, during his therapy sessions. He found that his patients were more comfortable talking to him when Jofi was present. I believe that AAT proves to be beneficial for both mental and physical disorders according to articles I have read prior to the research done for this project.

What Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) Is Owning a pet and being around animals of varying species can be comforting, calming, and maybe even therapeutic to many people. According to the Humane Society of the United States, pet ownership has more than tripled in the U.S. since the 1970s. For years, organizations, animal-behavioral groups, and individuals have claimed that the use of AAT provides multiple physical, emotional, and mental benefits to its participants. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is not commonly used or practiced in many rehabilitation facilities, but current research by multiple organizations and individual researchers discuss the benefits of this therapy. “Statistically, significant reductions in anxiety scores were found after

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.

Kanamori et. al. sought to determine the usefulness of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in improving cognitive and physical functioning as well as endochrinological stress in senile dementia patients. This studied implemented AAT for six bi-weekly sessions in an adult day care center. The test group had a total of seven subjects, compared with a control group of 20. Researchers used the MMSE, Nishimura’s Activities of Daily Living (N-ADL), behavioral pathology of Alzheimer’s Disease (Behave-AD), and a salivary CgA test that measures mental stress.The study was conducted in Japan, where AAT is a newer concept than in the west. With a rapidly aging population the Japanese are seeking new avenues for treating age related disorders like dementia. Researchers used an animal handler that had interned with the Delta Society, a U.S. based AAT network. While quantitative and relying on statistical research, the study also featured anecdotal case studies from two of the participants. The study used a wide range of instruments to measure changes, but struggled to implement them with all participants. Researchers struggled to get a saliva sample from all participants, something that could be improved upon in further research. Other consideration for this study are the impact of cultural outlooks on pets and animals in general in Japan versus in the West where AAT is used most.

In a pilot study conducted by Prosser and colleagues, researchers seek to evaluate if companion animals improve mood and quality of life in the growing aging population. The study followed participants for six weeks during after group interactions with therapy or companion animals. The study utilized a convenience sample of 16 females and 2 males at a nursing home. Though the sample is small and lacking in diversity, it is appropriate for a pilot study. This study utilizes the geriatric depression scale (GDS) and a series of questionnaires. The study is qualitative in nature, focusing on first person accounts as an encouragement for future research. This study is unique in that it not only interviews participants, but also nursing home

Pets have the power to heal their owners, especially those who are elderly. The most serious disease for older people is loneliness. Love is the most important medicine and pets are one of nature's best sources of affection. They take the human mind off loneliness, grief, pain, and fear. They cause laughter and offer a sense of security and protection. "All over the world, major universities are researching the therapeutic value of pets in our society and the number of hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and mental institutions are employing full-time pet therapists is increasing daily" (Betty White). This quote represents how I feel on the use of therapy dogs in the healing process due to research on this topic having great results. Using animals as pets, companions, Seeing Eye dogs, and guard dogs is universally accepted as beneficial, but the answer to the question is whether animals contribute to a person's physical or mental health, or both (Debra Phillips). Assisted therapy is a way for people and their pets to help others by sharing their compassion. Pets and their owners visit and interact with a wide variety of people.

Imagine living with an impairment that makes it challenging to function and complete tasks. Anxiety, depression, and paralysis are a few of the impairments that affect today’s population. These disabilities place limitations on potential accomplishments and create an abundance of stress. The comfort of animals, whether common pets, therapy animals, or service animals, has the capacity to alleviate this stress. This knowledge can formulate impactful progress in different areas of therapy, contributing to a less anxious society. Since pets and animals used for support provide companionship and possess characteristics which support the physical and emotional health needs specific to their owner, they should be used to diminish the various stresses of life and assist those with impairments.