Transcript Introducing Tallulah - Puppy Love Labradoodles

Animal Assisted Therapy:
Introducing Tullulah
Martina Quinn, MSW
Oncology Research Seminar
January 19, 2009
Animal Assisted Therapy
(AAT)
What is it?
 A goal directed intervention in which an animal
is an integral part of the treatment process
 Has both therapeutic and preventative goals
 A clinical approach that aims to foster beneficial
links between humans
and animals
Rationale for AAT
 Animals naturally stimulate an
attraction and attachment response
 This affects individuals’ well-being
(Brodie & Biley, 1999)
History of AAT
 Has been recognized as beneficial to patients
since 1800s
 Integration of animals within care environment
advocated by founders of Nursing
Florence Nightingale
 However, integration into hospitals and other
health care settings has been slow
History of AAT (cont’d)
 Since the 1960s, there has been a proliferation
of programs in hospitals, long-term care
facilities, Hospice programs, rehabilitation
facilities, schools, and community care.
History of AAT (cont’d)
 Clinicians have observed
the role of the
human/animal bond in
promoting health for
animals and humans
 In the 1980s, efforts grew
to document the efficacy
of this intervention
Benefits of AAT
 Animals offer companionship, unconditional
regard, tolerance, and sensory stimulation
(Martin, 1993)
 Relaxation, decreased anxiety and depression,
lowering of blood pressure, and improved
quality of life for cancer patients (Chinner & Dalziel,
1991; Friedman, 1983; Mushel, 1984)
Research Specific to
Oncology
 France Bouchard, et al. wanted to
show the value of AAT in pediatric
oncology
(Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, January 14, 2004)
 Her Objectives were to:
 Stimulate children’s interaction & communication
 Promote sense of responsibility and usefulness




amongst the children
Reduce their stress and anxiety
Reduce their loneliness, boredom and isolation
Increase psychological and physical well-being
Increase treatment receptivity and compliance
The Study
 The project ran 1 year
 Dogs spent time at bedside
 8 hour sessions
 Up to 3 times per week
 A parent was also present
 The parents, children and staff
regularly filled out questionnaires
during this time
Parental Reports




Gave children confidence
Friendship developed with child
Child was much happier
Dog gave affection, attention,
comfort, warmth and
encouragement
Staff Reports
 Promoted child’s adaptation to and recovery
from chemotherapy and surgery
 When dog present, they found greater job
satisfaction thus able to give better care as a
result
 Looked forward to working due to the
decreased resistance of child
Adult Study
 Rebecca A. Johnson, Phd, RN, FAAN et
al. looked at AAT’s effect on mood,
fatigue, self-perceived health, and
sense of coherence among cancer
patients
(Oncology Nursing Forum 35(2) 2008)
The Study
 Participants were those undergoing
radiation therapy
 3 groups of randomly assigned
 Experimental group
 15 minute sessions 3 times per week for 4
weeks visiting dog and handler
 Human Visit Group
 As above, but visiting with a person instead of
dog
 Silent Reading Group
 As above, magazines were issued to group
 The treatments were administered
just prior to radiation therapy
 They following were assessed at 2
points:
 Mood
 sense of coherence
 The ability for a person to successfully
endure stressful life events such as
illness)
 self-perceived health
Outcomes
 Overall, the Experimental Group
 Scored higher on sense of coherence
 Rated their health and emotion well-
being higher
 Viewed their health as improved over
the 4 week period
These investigations provide support for
the benefits of the human-animal bond
Today, animals (especially dogs)
have been used as a means of
therapy to assist people in coping
with illness and disability.
Animal Selection
 PALS (Pet Access League Society)
 Non-profit, registered, charitable
organization
 Dedicated to enhancing the quality of
life of individuals in need who can
benefit from the known value of the
human-animal bond
 Visitation programs:
 seniors care facilities,
schools, hospitals,
and Hospice Calgary
Eligibility
 Interview and screening process
 Obedience
 Temperament
 Behavioural characteristics
 The animal needs to be interested in
people more than their environment.
 The animal must complete a certain
number of visits per month to maintain
membership.
Clearances & Insurance
 Police and Child Welfare clearance
 PALS carries liability policy to
cover the animal and owner
 Personal liability insurance can be
used as an adjunct but is not
mandatory
Vaccination
 As part of the agreement with hospitals and health




facilities, yearly proof of rabies and updated
immunizations must be provided.
Both an annual health certification and assessment
must be completed and signed off by a participating
veterinarian.
Animals must be bathed on a regular basis as well a
screened for enteric pathogens, and treated for internal
and external parasites on a monthly basis to minimize
zoonotic incidents.
All animals are rescreened by Pals after 5 years.
If the animal develops a chronic medical condition then
it needs to withdraw from the program unless a
veterinarian permits its participation.
Open Dialogue