AAT Presentation-1 - Association for Adult Development & Aging
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Transcript AAT Presentation-1 - Association for Adult Development & Aging
Demonstrating the
Efficacy of AnimalAssisted Therapy
Presented by: Katherine Brown, Lindsey
Swanson & Dr. Chrisann Schiro-Geist
Key Terms
Human/Animal Bond
Animal-Assisted Activities
Animal-Assisted Therapy
Theoretical Background
Biochemical Theories
Learning Theories
Social Cognitive Theories
Social Theories
*Attachment Theory*
Previous Efforts
Early and Anecdotal
Accounts
- Quakers and the York Retreat
- Rehab for WWI veterans
- Dr. Boris Levinson
Empirical Studies
- Friedmann, Katcher, Lynn,
& Thomas (1980)
- Studies with a Focus on
Developmental Disabilities
Current Study
Purpose:
To examine the impact of
animal assisted therapy on
overall functioning in
adults with intellectual
disabilities
Hypothesis:
Participants engaging in
specific therapeutic
interventions with a live
therapy animal will
improve on the
behavioral domains
above and beyond that
of participants receiving
extra therapeutic time
with a human caretaker.
Methods - Participants
20 adults
13 female, 7 male
age range: 17-50 years, Mage = 26.95,
SD = 9.87
All participants diagnosed with an
intellectual disability to some degree
Methods - Measures
Measurement of Pet Intervention (MOPI;
Schiro-Geist, 2001)
Eight questions assessing 4 behavioral
dimensions:
Attention span
Physical movement
Communication
Compliance
Two components: general level/quality &
time/frequency
Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.94 - 0.95
Methods - Procedures
Staff members completed 2 MOPIs for all
participants, one prior to intervention and one
post-intervention
Three groups were developed: 2 intervention
groups and 1 control group
- Modification: 2 groups after 6 weeks
The intervention was conducted for 20 minute
sessions, twice weekly for eight weeks
Intervention
8-week manualized AAT program
Week 1:
Therapeutic goals- Rapport-building; Play
Day 1 Activities- Petting; Ring Around the Rosy
Day 2 Activities- Petting; Object Toss
Week 2:
Therapeutic goals- Pet Care; Grooming
Day 1 Activities- Brush + Treat
Day 2 Activities- Walk Preparation
Intervention
Week 3:
Therapeutic Goals- Language; Commands
Day 1 Activities- Basic Dog Commands
Day 2 Activities- Play Tambourine
Week 4:
Therapeutic Goals- Safety; Etiquette
Day 1 Activities- Walk Outdoors
Day 2 Activities- Encounter Others
Data Analysis & Results
Correlations were inconclusive
MANOVA – both groups improved over time
with no significant differences between
groups
Results show no adverse effects on
participants
Anecdotal reports
Limitations & Implications
Limitations
Inconsistency of attendance
Difficulty in providing a manualized program within a
dynamic summer program
Difficulty in keeping treatment and control groups separated
Implications
The use of AAT for adults with intellectual disabilities may be
an alternative and effective form of treatment
References
Chandler, C. K. (2012). Animal assisted therapy in
counseling (2nd ed.). New York: Routledge.
Fine, A. H. (2010). Handbook on animal-assisted
therapy: Theoretical foundations and guidelines for
practice (3rd ed.). Boston: Academic Press.
Friedmann, E., Katcher, A. H., Lynch, J. J., & Thomas,
S. A. (1980). Animal companions and one-year
survival of patients after discharge from a
coronary care unit. Public Health Reports, 95,
307-312.
References
Hooker, S. D., Freeman, L. H., & Stewart, P. (2002). Pet
therapy research: A historical review.
Holistic Nursing
Practice, 17, 17-23.
Martin, F., & Farnum, J. (2002). Animal-assisted
therapy for children with pervasive
developmental disorders. Western Journal of
Nursing Research, 24, 657-670.
Heimlich, K. (2001). Animal-assisted therapy and the
severely-disabled child: A quantitative study.
Journal of Rehabilitation, 67, 48-54.
References
Lind, N. 2009. Animal assisted therapy activities to
motivate and inspire. Lombard, IL: PYOW
Publishing, Ink.
Nimer, J., & Lundahl, B. (2007). Animal-assisted
therapy: A meta-analysis. Anthrozoos, 20,
225-238. Retrieved September 16, 2008, from the
Academic OneFile database.
Questions?