Animal-assisted therapy
Studies have documented some positive effects of the therapy on subjective self-rating scales and on objective physiological measures such as blood pressure and hormone levels.
[1] Use of these animals in therapies has shown positives results in many cases, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, sexual abuse victims, dementia, autism, and more.
[6][7][8][9] The goal of animal-assisted therapy is to improve a patient's social, emotional, or cognitive functioning and literature reviews state that animals can be useful for educational and motivational effectiveness for participants.
[12][7][13] Studies have documented some positive effects of the therapy on subjective self-rating scales and on objective physiological measures such as blood pressure and hormone levels.
[16] The earliest reported use of the therapy for the mentally ill took place in the late 18th century at the York Retreat in England, led by William Tuke.
There are a range of goals for animal-assisted therapy programs relevant to children and young people, including enhanced capacity to form positive relationships with others.
[30] Acquired brain injury survivors with cognitive impairments can benefit from animal-assisted therapy as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation treatment plan.
[38] Specific tactics have not been researched, but collective reviews of varied techniques displayed similar results of increased comfort reports by children and guardians.
[38] Though meta-analysis has determined that children receiving AAT have seen a reduction in pain when compared to control groups, further quantitative research is needed to confirm this conclusion.
[43] Internal file data reviews, anecdotal stories, and surveys of inmate and staff perceptions have been used to gauge the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy in prisons, but these methods are limited and have resulted in an inadequate assessment.
[48] The findings offer proof of the concept that canine-assisted therapies are feasible and can elicit positive quality-of-life experiences in institutionalized people with dementia.
The Lived Environment Life Quality Model may serve as a guide for client-centered, occupation-focused, and ecologically valid approaches to animal-assisted occupational therapy beyond people with dementia.
[49] When elderly people are transferred to nursing homes or long-term care facilities, they often become passive, agitated, withdrawn, depressed, and inactive because of the lack of regular visitors or the loss of loved ones.
[50] Supporters of animal-assisted therapy say that animals can be helpful in motivating the patients to be active mentally and physically, keeping their minds sharp and bodies healthy.
[61] Equine-assisted therapy encompasses a range of treatments that involve activities with horses and other equines to promote human physical and mental health.
[63] Pigs have been used in various types of animal-assisted therapy to perform duties in facilities including airports,[64][65] hospitals,[66] nursing homes,[67] and special-needs schools, or as emotional support animals for individuals with conditions such as autism or anxiety[68] and veterans with PTSD.
[69] Two well-known miniature pigs named Thunder and Bolt trained by children to certified animal therapy status have been put to work in a number of nursing homes, schools and a hospital.
[33][56][55][53] In recent decades, an increased amount of research indicates the social, psychological, and physiological benefits of animal-assisted therapy in the fields of health and education.
[71][72][73] Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may decrease behavioral issues and improve socialization skills with the intervention of animal-assisted therapy.
[55][2][page needed] It is often difficult to treat due to high drop-out rates and low responses to traditional psycho-therapeutic approaches and interventions.
[7] Animals have both direct and indirect effects on a mental health spectrum including biological, psychological, and social responses,[2] further targeting marked symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (i.e., re-experiencing, avoidance, changes in beliefs/feelings, and hyperarousal).
[74][clarification needed] The psychological benefits of animals focus mainly on dog and human interactions, the reduction of anxiety and depressive symptoms, and increased resilience.
[80] Interactions, such as petting, playing and walking, with the dog can increase physical activity, reduce anxiety, and provide encouragement to stay in the present moment.
[82] While there is limited research and standardized instruments to measure the effects, veterans who have participated in pilot programs have better communication skills, self-awareness, and self-esteem,[82] promoting safety and support during the transition into civilian life.
[84] Long-term effects of equine-based interventions with veterans include increased happiness, social support, and better sleep hygiene[8] because they are able to process information regarding their emotions and behaviors in a nonjudgmental space.
[91] Studies show that animal-assisted therapy leads to an overall reduction of symptoms including anger, depression, and dissociation in survivors of sexual assault.
[93] Further research is needed to show the effectiveness of animal-assisted interventions in treating post-traumatic stress disorder for sexual assault survivors across varying demographics.
Canine-assisted intervention provides a calmer environment by reducing the stress, irritation, and anxiety that children with autism spectrum disorder experience.
[33] Animal-assisted therapy encourages expressions of emotions and cognitive stimulation through discussions and reminiscing of memories while the patient bonds with the animal.
[100] In studies conducted, people with certain disabilities had to be excluded from the experiment due to increase in the stress of the therapy dog, and ultimately decline in overall well-being.
