Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

Podcast Host: Happiness Isn’t Brain Surgery, The Addiction Counselor Exam Review

Objectives

~ Define Animal Assisted Therapy

~ Explore the research around animal assisted therapy

~ Review some general cautions

~ Animal Assisted Activities/Pet-Therapy

~ Integration of animals into activities to facilitate motivation, education and recreation, encouraging casual interaction without following a specific set of criteria or goals

~ Animal Assisted Therapy

~ Intentional and therapeutic, whereby the animal’s role is integral in assisting with mental health, speech, occupational therapy or physical therapy goals, and augments cognitive, physical, social and/or emotional well-being

General Benefits

~ Reduced blood pressure

~ Release of oxytocin

~ Increase in understanding of UPR (3 legged dog, one eyed cat, blind horse)

~ Biofeedback/Mindfulness

~ Stress reduction and laughter

~ Increased physical activity

~ Consistency and clear communication

~ Decrease learned helplessness behaviors and increase a sense of control over self and environment

~ Act as a bridge by which therapists can reach patients who are withdrawn, uncooperative, and uncommunicative

~ Participants interacting with the animals were more inclined to smile and demonstrate pleasure, and were more sociable and relaxed with other participants

~ More sensitive issues can be rendered less incendiary when an animal is involved

~ A multisensory aspect is also available when an animal is involved; increasing the level of attention and interest of the client who is active or struggles with focus or concentration

~ Any Animals…

~ Fish

~ Guinea Pigs

~ Dogs

~ Cats

~ Rabbits

~ Horses

~ Dolphin…

~ Using horse movement to compliment therapy

~ Self-awareness

~ Developing trust and respect

~ Meeting/Join Up (understanding the prey/predator relationship)

~ Petting

~ Feeding

~ Addressing personalization/exploring dialectics

~ Going into a barn or trailer

~ Bonding/relaxation

~ Confidence

~ Acceptance (despite being different)

~ Choosing animals with differences

~ Highlighting unique animal pairs (donkey and goat)

Farm Animals

~ The diversity of a farm experience offers much stimulation, and provides the basis for creative and varied interventions, such as providing the client with opportunities to practice

~ Nurturing activities

~ Organizational skills

~ Perspective taking

~ Problem solving

~ A “dog’s social life is organized around dominance-subordinance relationships”

~ Dogs are expected to obey commands and offer clients what is often referred to as “unconditional acceptance” (Brewster vs. Duke)

~ Difference in the children’s response during sessions, including more laughing, increased eye contact, communication with the dog, and a desire to connect through feeding the animal dog treats

~ Teaching people positive dog training techniques could help them understand

~ Clear communication

~ Relationship development (trust, respect, nurturance and termination)

~ Empathy

~ Perspective-taking

~ Delayed gratification

~ The connection between behaviors and consequences in a non-threatening manner

~ “Cat socialization toward is based on

~ “Give and take”

~ Mutuality/reciprocity

~ Respect for their independent nature

~ In contrast to human-horse or human-dog relationships. Chandler (2005) listed the following attributes for felines in therapy:

~ Quietness and calmness

~ Level of comfort with being touched

~ Motivation to