432 -Animal Assisted Therapy

Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC

Executive Director, AllCEUs.com

Podcast Host: Counselor Toolbox, Case Management Toolbox

Sponsored by TherapyNotes.com

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Objectives

- Define Animal Assisted Therapy

- Explore the research around animal assisted therapy

- Review some general cautions

Definitions

- 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)

- Increase ability to take multiple perspectives

- Enhance empathy and compassion

- 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

General Benefits

- Act as a bridge by which therapists can reach patients who are withdrawn, uncooperative, and uncommunicative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

Which Animals Can Be used

- Any Animals…

- Fish (AAA)

- Guinea Pigs (AAA)

- Dogs (AAA, AAT)

- Cats (AAA, AAT)

- Rabbits (AAA)

- Horses (AAA, AAT)

- Dolphin (AAA, AAT)

Hippotherapy (Equine)

- 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 (no 2 animals are exactly alike)

- Problem solving

Dogs

- 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

Dogs

- Teaching people positive dog training techniques could help them

- Learn patience and consistency

- Develop clear communication

- Learn about relationship development (trust, respect, nurturance and termination)

- Develop empathy and compassion

- Enhance perspective-taking to understand behavior/reactions

- Delay gratification

- Understand the