Animal Assisted Therapy
ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY (Pet Therapy)

How was Pet Therapy discovered?
Pet Therapy was first realised in 1953 in America by a psychiatrist Boris Levinson, who worked with an autistic child and a dog. Levinson found that the animal provided the child with the opportunity to experience, internal and external sensations, something which, he was unable to do with other people.

Having taken note of Levinson’s discovery and success, other American medics began to take notice of how animals could be used to treat not only children but adults as well. In particular it was found that having introduced animals into a hospital for adults with psychiatric problems, there was a marked improvement in how the patients related to each other. Having first established a strong relationship with a visiting animal, relationships were then being made with other patients in the hospital, which in turn improved doctor-patient relationships.

Why Pet Therapy?

To look at Pets as a therapy, it is first important to look at pets in general. It is a known fact that pets in the home are good for us, but why?

* Pets make us feel safe.
* Pets return us to play and laughter.
* Pets provide continuity.
* Pets draw our attention outside of ourselves.
* Pets provide companionship.
* Pets help us to exercise.
* Pets provide physical contact and affection.

From research carried out on children and adults, it has been found that Pet Therapy can provide all the advantages of having a pet in the home as well as the following:

* Aids Relaxation.
* Lower Blood Pressure.
* Boost Self Esteem
* Animal Provides Emotional Unconditional Love and Support.
* Tactile Stimulation.
* Reduces Tantrums in Children.
* Reduces Frustration. Aids Speech Development in Children (Dolphin Program)
* Improves ability to Relate to other living creatures.
* Reduces Stress.

What Animals are Used?
A wide variety of animals are used in Pet Therapy. This not to say that everyone will use the same animal or just one animal. The following will give some idea of which animals are used and for what purpose. Remember, sometimes the animals themselves provide much more to the person that anyone can imagine.

Dogs:
All breeds are used provided that they have the correct temperament. Dogs as well are providing companionship, relationships and movement, also provide people with a disability to the concept of heat, tactile sensations, internal sensation, size and smell. Adult dogs are usually preferred as puppies can be difficult to control, but may be used for very demonstrating the concept of growth and size as well as speed!!!

Cats:
Similar to the above, although cats are not as easy to train as dogs but will enjoy being petted for longer periods. Also cats are a good introduction to Pet Therapy if a person feels threatened by dogs.

Horses:
Horses, ponies and donkeys are used especially when the person has a mobility difficulties. Here the horse can be used to give the person the sensation of movement as well as using the sense of smell, providing tactile stimuli, as well as the concept of size.

Birds:
When birds are used in Pet Therapy, they are usually housed in an aviary. During the therapy, the child is brought into the aviary and can experience the sensation of the birds in flight. Flight is a concept which is extremely difficult to explain to a visually impaired child. The birds not only give audible clues as to how they fly, but the speed can be felt as they fly past the child.

Fish:
Fish are used primarily as a source of relaxation. For a visually impaired child with a limited amount of vision, they can be a source of wonderment. The colourful variety of fish can engage the child’s attention and the slow moving motion, allows the child to follow the fish.

Small Animals:
Rabbits, hamsters and other small creatures provide excellent tactile stimuli for children. They can often be small enough to fit into the child’s hand and children are generally more confident in handling animals smaller than themselves. Animals with a short life span are also used to teach children about the life cycle of living things.

WHAT HAPPENS IN A SESSION?

Before any child visits the center for Pet Therapy, an introductory visit will be made my the child’s parents or guardians. During this time any allergies or fears a child may have with animals is noted. The Pet Therapist will then decide on which animal the child should be introduced to.

On the child’s first visit to the Pet Therapy Center, the main aim is to make the child feel comfortable and relaxed. Depending on the child’s age and disability a short tour of the center may be conducted. The child will then be introduced to an animal previously chosen as the most suitable for the child. This first introduction may be done in a special room, where the child, his parents and the Therapist will be seated. The seating in the room is very important. If the child can sit unassisted, then he can choose where to sit. Child size chairs, cushions, rugs and a large soft area should be available. When a child is not able to sit up, they may lie on the floor or in the most comfortable position for them. This is why it is important for the parents to attend the first few visits with the child.

Once everyone is comfortable, the child is told what is going to happen and when the child is ready, the animal is introduced. What happens in the first session is entirely up to the child. If the animal is a dog, the child may simply want to lie on the dog, feeling it breathing and it’s warmth. Other children may want to stoke the dog or have it lick them. Some will even have a conversation with the animal. The first session is one of comfort and introduction. From here the therapist will get to know the child, what they like, what their ability is and how to structure the sessions, so that the child gets the most out of each Pet Therapy.

Children who are allergic to certain animals can also be brought to the Pet Therapy Center. Although they may not be able to come in contact with the animals, the therapist will use many natural items to stimuli the children’s senses. Just being in the center, will expose the child to the sounds and smells or animals.

As the children become more involved with the animals, certain fears may be addressed. In the case of children with tactile defensiveness (sever dislike of touching items), they will often touch the animal and then additional items, such as water can be introduced. E.g. The dog is drinking the water, can you feel it?

PET THERAPY CENTER - ADDITIONAL USES

* Offers Companionship.
* Care of animals can be taught.
* Visits to elderly in their homes.
* Community volunteers can become involved in pet visiting programmes.
* Other disabilities centers can visit and avail of the service.
* Educational visits for primary school can be arranged which can include care for the animals and life cycles.
* Animal societies such as I.S.P.C.A. and Blue Cross and become involved, by providing the animals and for information purposes.
* The community can visit the center bringing further income. Special evening or Saturday classes can be held for children in the community, teaching the importance of caring for animals and also gives them the opportunity to be responsible for an animal without the pressure of owning it.
* Local Pre-schools and Montessori can visit bringing very young children into contact with animals in a very safe environment. This will also generate income.
* The Pet Therapy Center can include a Natural Center, which would include items such as e.g. pine cones, shell, wool, wood etc. This allows children with allergies to animals to also make use of the Center.

REFERENCES
Franceo Angeli: PET THERAPY: Un Metodo Narurale.
www.auden.webster.edu/~frenccla/
www.rehabnet.com/Programs/AFT/comm.htm
www.olywa.net/shelter/purrs/htm
www.animal-friends.org/pt-site.html

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