Animal Assisted Therapy relating to Patients and
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Transcript Animal Assisted Therapy relating to Patients and
Animal Assisted Therapy
Benefits and Challenges
Presented by: Elizabeth Siccone
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Therapy?
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What is AAT
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is
formally defined by the Delta Society
as “a goal- directed intervention in
which an animal that meets specific
criteria is an integral part of the
treatment process”
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History of Domestication
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Domestication Changes Their
Appearance
Wagging tails, floppy ears…
Changes their psychology as well
They evolved the ability to read
human gestures and this above all is
not only remarkable… it is the
foundation of our communication with
them
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Survival of the Friendliest
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History of Animal Assisted
Therapy
Discovery that a dog’s blood pressure
drops when petted was discovered in
1929
50 years later it was determined that the
person's blood pressure also drops with
such positive interaction.
AAT becomes an accepted field of
scientific study… 1980
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Define & Distinguish: AAT/AAA
Animal Assisted Therapy uses trained animals to
enhance an individual’s well being:
Physically
Emotionally
Socially
*Through goal directed psychological and/or
physical support directed by a human health
professional for an individual and included in his/her
treatment plan where progress is documented.
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Whereas:
Animal Assisted Activities:
Provide interactions in a number of different of
environments for the purpose of:
Improving Motivation
Assisting Educational Activities
Enhancing Quality of Life
*Essentially the interaction with the patient and
the team is the same in both AAT & AAA
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AAA
AAT
Casual “meet and greet” activities
that involve pets
visiting people
Significant part of treatment for
many people who are physically,
socially, emotionally or cognitively
challenged
No specific treatment goals
planned
Stated goals for each session
Same activity can be used with
many people
Detailed noted unnecessary
Visit content is spontaneous
Visit can be long or short as desired
Individual treatment for each
patient
Notes on patient progress taken at
each session
Visit scheduled, usually at set
intervals
Length of visit is pre-determined to
best fit needs of patient
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Animal Assisted Activities/Therapy
A highly effective form of
psychotherapy intervention
Some patient populations i.e. cancer,
cardiac are prone to comorbidities i.e.
stress, anxiety, depression
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Negative effects of comorbidities due to
immunosuppressive effects:
decreased treatment adherence
slowed recovery
increased mortality
increased cancer recurrence rates
Major depression three to five times
higher in oncology patients than the
general population
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“A pet is a medication without side effects
that has so many benefits. I can't always
explain it myself, but for years now I've seen
how instances of having a pet is like an
effective drug. It really does help people.”
Dr. Edward Creagan
Oncologist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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It’s chemical, not magical
Stroking a pet dog
decreases cortisol
Increases prolactin
and oxytocin:
*Hormones that
govern nurturing
and security
Increases serotonin
and norepinephrine:
*Neurotransmitters
that boost mood.
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THE LOOK OF LOVE IS IN THE DOG’S EYES
BY JAN HOFFMAN DATE PUBLISHED APRIL 16, 2015 3:07 PM
http://nyti.ms/1FZVrwL
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Consider the implications of
‘Attachment Theory’ and
pets…
Dependency
Acceptance
without
Judgment
Attachment
Loyalty
Purposefulness
Accomplishment
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One of the most fundamental advantages
of animal assisted therapy over other
therapeutic modalities is that it provides
the patient a much-needed opportunity to
give affection as well as receive it. It is this
reciprocity - rare among medical therapies
- that makes AAT a unique, and valuable
route to healing."
Dr. Andrew Weil
World-renowned leader and pioneer in the field of
integrative medicine
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Building a Safe Bridge
Noted
Examples
In Practice:
Children suffering from traumatic events
including physical or sexual abuse – having
an animal present makes the therapist and
process seem less threatening
The child can “talk to the dog”
‘Open up’ thus providing a bridge for the
therapist
Companion to Group Therapy
Group therapy sessions where the group sits
in a circle and the dog is free to roam from
person to person
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For Special Needs Kids
ADHD – Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Teaching
How to Control
Impulses
Skills Transfer
Clicker Training
How to work with
others
Learning new ways
to manipulate
behavior
Taking Turns
Patience
Positive
Reinforcement
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Morristown Medical Center
‘Spencer’
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The Star- Ledger
Class with Canines
Michele Hollow
April 26, 2015
CBS News Cali and Cleo
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Merlin’s Kids
Service animals can be trained to meet needs of
individuals with:
Autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) including
Asperger’s Syndrome, High and Low functioning
Autism
Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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Challenges and Considerations
Non-traditional therapies
Rapidly growing field
Further research is paramount to
practice
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Bibliography
Hare, Brian and Woods, Vanessa, Opinion: We Didn’t Domesticate Dogs. They
Domesticated Us, March 03, 2013, National Geographic News:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/03/130302-dog-domesticevolution-science-wolf-wolves-human/
Yong, Ed Origin of Domestic Dogs, November 14, 2013, The Scientist:
http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/38279/title/Origin-ofDomestic-Dogs/
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