Animal Assisted Therapy

(AAT)

Presentation:

Donna Lai

1st June 2017

corecounsellingandresilience@gmail.com

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?