What Is Animal-Assisted Therapy?

Overview

For many years, people have been discussing and investigating the therapeutic use of animals in various populations and environments. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT), sometimes referred to as pet therapy, is a health intervention aimed at enhancing physical, social, emotional, or cognitive functioning. For this purpose, dogs and other animals, such as horses, are used to support patients in their recovery from both physical and mental health issues.

Read on to learn more about the applications, benefits, and ethical considerations of animal-assisted therapy, as well as any potential dangers of this intervention.

Types of animals used in AAT

Depending on the kind of animal, the demographic it is intended for, and the way it is integrated into the treatment plan, different types of animal-assisted therapy can be identified. Animal-assisted therapy has been used with various animals, the most popular being equine and canine-assisted therapy.¹ However, regardless of the species, it is crucial that therapy animals are trained to be reassuring and kind and socialised with a variety of individuals.

Some examples of therapy animals are:²

• Dogs
• Cats
• Horses
• Birds
• Rabbits
• Fish 
• Guinea pigs
• Small reptiles

Dogs (canine-assisted therapy)

A therapy dog is trained to offer people affection, consolation, and support, frequently in places like hospitals, nursing homes, retirement communities, schools, libraries, hospices, or disaster regions. Therapy dogs are trained to socialise with people of various backgrounds, not only their handlers, in contrast to assistance dogs, which are trained to help specific patients with their daily physical demands.³ 

Therapy dogs can assist with numerous mental health conditions and psychiatric disorders. Interaction with therapy dogs is beneficial for patients with numerous kinds of diagnoses, including:⁴

• Depression
• Bipolar disorder 
• Autism 
• ADHD 
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Alzheimer's disease

Before being certified as therapy animals, dogs undergo evaluations and studies to test their reactions to different stimuli, such as sudden grabs, loud noises, confusing sounds, and equipment like canes or wheelchairs. Although the breed may have some influence on the dog's good manners, the dog's upbringing and temperament development play a major role. Larger breeds including Labradors, St. Bernards, Standard Poodles, and Golden Retrievers, often serve as therapy dogs. However, when the dog and the patient are sharing a confined space, smaller breeds like Pomeranians and little Poodles are good choices.⁵

Cats

Although dogs have historically been the preferred choice in AAT, cats are increasingly being used as therapy animals.
Cats selected to be therapy animals need to fulfil specific requirements. They should demonstrate a calm, pleasant disposition, be open to trying new things, and be sociable.⁶ Cats have the advantage of being small and requiring less care than other animals. For people who are unable to be highly active, cats are the perfect snuggling companions because they sleep up to eighteen hours a day.⁷ 

Although any breed of cat can serve as a great emotional support animal, some are more popular and have excellent dispositions, which make them better suited for the role. The best breeds of therapy cats include Manx, Balinese, Russian Blue, Siamese, and Maine Coon.⁸

Horses (equine-assisted therapy)

The program known as equine-assisted therapy involves experts guiding patients through activities associated with horses. It is intended for individuals of all ages and has demonstrated efficacy in treating a variety of health conditions by addressing both the mental and physical aspects of a diagnosis.⁹

Psychotherapy with horses might involve engaging and bonding with the animals through the following activities:¹⁰

• Brushing, stroking, and bathing the horse
• Guiding the horse to assigned spaces
• Feeding the animal
• Engaging in goal-oriented and rewarding tasks, either alone or with other horses

Therapeutic riding is a form of equine-assisted therapy in which people ride horses to decompress and improve their muscle tone, coordination, self-assurance, and general well-being.

Other animals

Dogs, cats, and horses are the animals most frequently used in AAT programs. Nevertheless, other animal species and groups, such as farm animals (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and llamas) and even more exotic creatures, such as dolphins, can be utilised to treat health conditions. Research indicates that also rabbits are suitable as an additional therapeutic tool for children with emotional and physical issues, as well as for children who have been abused or neglected.¹¹ 

The bird species most frequently utilised in AAT are parrots. Compared to other species, they are more perceptive and intellectual and can learn to speak. Furthermore, parrots can live for decades (large species can live up to 80 years) and be companions for extended periods.¹¹

Benefits of animal-assisted therapy

The greatest advantages of AAT are: 

• Improved motor skills and coordination
• Pain reduction and increased mobility
• Stress reduction and anxiety management
• Enhanced mood and emotional well-being
• Increased social interaction and communication
• Building trust and empathy

Physical benefits

AAT motivates patients to be more active, thereby promoting independent mobility. Furthermore, this type of therapy leads to pain reduction and increases motor abilities and coordination. Several studies discussing the impact of pets on physical health indicate that walking dogs increases endurance and lowers blood pressure. Moreover, according to some exploratory trials and epidemiological research, people with cardiovascular disease who walk their dogs are less likely to experience complications.¹²

Psychological benefits

Having an animal around can improve safety, self-esteem, and the ability to deal with despair and loneliness.⁶ Studies suggest that patients who engage constructively with animals during stressful conditions benefit from therapy. When an animal is included in treatment, even just as a mere presence, the entire treatment setting becomes friendlier and less intimidating, and patients appear to feel more comfortable and relaxed.¹³

Social benefits

In addition to the stigma associated with mental illness, the loss of skills required for regular social interactions and relationships with others also keeps the patient generally isolated from their surroundings. Since animals are great companions for many people, including them in the treatment process helps individuals receiving treatment regain some of their lost social skills as well as partially extend their normal lifestyle. Patients can learn about acceptable and non-social actions simply by observing the therapist's interaction with the animal.¹³

Applications of animal-assisted therapy

AAT has been effectively integrated into treatment plans for patients with physical disabilities, long-term illnesses, and mental health issues in healthcare settings. Therapy animals can participate in therapeutic exercises during physiotherapy sessions. Counsellors and therapists use therapy animals in their sessions to help clients relax, foster trust, and express themselves emotionally.¹⁴ Specific locations, such as stables for equine-assisted therapy, might be used for the treatment.¹⁵ Additionally, therapy animals might be taken to libraries, assisted living facilities, schools, and other locations.¹⁶

Due to a lack of regular visitors, elderly people in nursing homes or long-term care facilities frequently develop passive, agitated, withdrawn, melancholic, and lethargic behaviours. AAT can help  encourage these patients to engage in mental and physical activities, maintaining their bodies and minds in good condition.¹⁷

Ethical considerations and challenges

Significant ethical considerations in AAT include the appropriate selection of therapy animals and ensuring their well-being, as well as ensuring the safety of the clients in AAT. Hence, obtaining informed consent before the start of therapy is essential. Clients need to understand the possible advantages and disadvantages of receiving therapy for their specific requirements.

Inappropriate handling practices can potentially result in animal injury or maltreatment. Sometimes, people get attached to the animals that are helping them and find it difficult to part with them. This emotion may cause the patient to become possessive or make them less satisfied with the therapy. To prevent this, a behaviour and health screening is usually performed on animals participating in pet therapy programs. Furthermore, to guarantee a good encounter, the owner and handler of the animal must also go through evaluation and training. This covers things like when and how to touch the animal, as well as petting it and looking out for any indications that it may be in distress.¹⁸

Although certain people with specific health concerns may benefit from animal therapy, not everyone is a good fit for it. Animals that are frequently used in therapy may cause allergies to some people. For example, a lot of people have allergies to dog dander. Thus, for these people, using a dog as a therapy animal could do far more harm than good.¹⁸

Summary

• The therapeutic approach known as animal-assisted therapy (AAT) utilises the natural bond between people and animals to enhance social, mental, emotional, and physical health. Numerous health practitioners, including psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and others, utilise AAT. 
• Although equine and canine therapy are the most popular forms of AAT, other animals like farm animals, rabbits, and guinea pigs are also utilised. 
• Positive effects of animal therapy include relief of symptoms, improvements in conversation therapy, relaxation, and general well-being enhancement. 
• Nevertheless, even though there are many advantages to AAT, it is important to address the ethical issues underlying this method of treatment. Giving therapy animals the proper training, attention, and regular pauses to recover and rejuvenate should always be the top priority to ensure their health and general well-being.