Animal-assisted therapy (AAT)
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT), also known as pet therapy, uses animals and handlers to achieve special social, cognitive, emotional and physical goals. Some of the earliest uses of animal-assisted healing in the United States were for psychiatric patients. The presence of the therapy animals produced a beneficial effect on both children and adults with mental health issues. It is only in the last few decades that AAT has been more formally applied in a variety of therapeutic settings, including schools and prisons, as well as hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, and outpatient care programs. (cited from (www.healthline.com/galecontent/pet-therapy/3)
The enjoyment of animals as companions dates back many centuries, perhaps even to prehistoric times. The first known therapeutic use of animals started in Gheel, Belgium in the ninth century. Learning to care for farm animals has long been an important part of an assisted living program designed for people with disabilities.
Researchers have found and documented the physiological benefits that occur when a person interacts with an animal. Petting a friendly dog can slow the heart rate and even lower stress level hormones. It is also believed that petting an animal can cause the release of endorphins and suppress the pain response. Schools and libraries are using dogs to help children with reading problems. The dogs are good listeners and the children are less shy when reading to them.
- Stroke victims
- Children with autism
- Addicts
- Psychiatric patients
- Heart attack victims
The way in which AAT is undertaken depends on the needs and abilities of the individual patient. Dogs are the most common visiting therapy animals, but cats, horses, birds, rabbits, and other domestic pets can be used as long as they are appropriately screened and trained.
Patients who are confined may have a therapeutic plan that brings small animals to their bed if the patient is willing and is not allergic to the animal. A therapeutic plan may include a simple interaction aimed at improving communication and small motor skills, or a demonstration with educational content to engage the patient cognitively.
If the patient is able to walk or move around, more options are available. Patients can walk small animals outside, or learn how to care for farm animals. Both of these activities develop confidence and motor abilities. Horseback riding has recently gained great therapeutic popularity. It offers an opportunity to work on balance, trunk control, and other skills.
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