By: Karyssaann Costagliola

Pet Therapy also called Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a therapy technique that uses animals to help people take their mind off their sickness or problem

Dogs and Cats are the most common animals used, but fish, horses, birds, & guinea pigs can be used if they pass the screening process

The animal chosen depends on the goal of the patient and what it is they need to make progress in their treatment

All interactions and progress made is recorded

This therapy is used to help build the human-animal bond that is preexisting in most people. It can help with human, physical, social, emotional, and cognitive function

The nursing home was the first setting for this therapy

Gives moderate willingness to exercise

Improve fine motor skills

Increase self-esteem

Improve assisted or independent movement

Increase verbal communication

Decrease anxiety or loneliness

Develop social skills

Increase willingness to join activities

Improve interaction with others

Selection of a good animal for the therapy

Physical exam of the animal to ensure no illness

Obedience training and ensuring control of the animal

Trainer needs to be trained on proper patient interaction

Evaluation of the animals temperament and behavior with the handler

Certification of training

Patients undergoing chemotherapy

Mental health patients

Patients hospitalized with chronic failure

Children having physical dental procedures

Veteran with post traumatic stress disorder

Stroke victims and physical therapy patients

Regaining motor skills

Residents in Long Term Care Facilities

Reduces pain, anxiety, depression, and fatigue

Improves physiological state, decreases heart rate and blood pressure

Increases physical contact opportunities

Increases mental stimulation

Increase relationship between patient and health care workers

Improves outward focus

Acquires empathetic and nurturing skills

The elderly are known to become lonely, depressed, have lack of energy and lack of socializing

A study done at University of Missouri-Columbia showed that after a few minutes of petting a dog it released “feel good” hormones like serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin and lowers the stress hormone cortisol

Fish tanks were also used with patients with Alzheimer's to help stimulate the mind of the patient and bring patients to the present

Canaries were also used in the elderly population of Italy with showed an increase quality of life

It is shown that pet therapy lowers heart attack risks and encourages patients to walk more

Elderly in nursing homes and pet therapy are associated with a reduction in medications, improved vital signs, and improved physical functioning

Elderly that take part in this therapy showed a reduction in agitated behaviors, reduce their depression and loneliness, increase their overall well being, social skills, and their nutritional intake

Pets increase the survival rate of heart attack victims it showed that 28% of people who suffered a major heart attack survived verses the 6% that did not have one

Studies have shown that the elderly that have pets visit the physician 21% less than the elderly that either do not have a pet or are not involved in pet therapy

The elderly that own pets can better cope with loss or major life events without medical interaction

Pets in the nursing homes increase social interaction

Patient with allergies can have a reaction depending on the pet used

Mishandling of the pet can lead to injury to the pet

Patients that do not understand it is not their dog or animal to keep may get upset and angry

If an animal would die it could lead to guilt or increase risk for depression because of the loss

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuF0mnSbS_0

References

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/iage/201305/pet-therapy-older-adults

http://www.pawsforpeople.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/The-Effects-of-AAT-on-Lonliness-in-an-Elderly-Population-in-Long-Term-Care-Facilities.pdf

http://www.libertyhealthcareandrehab.com/bermudacommons/2011/10/21/benefits-of-pet-therapy-in-the-elderly/

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022395612003846

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/consumer-health/in-depth/pet-therapy/art-20046342