Animal-Assisted Therapy

With the ever growing needs in mental health, the Central PA Zoological Society is ecstatic to propose an innovative plan to address the therapeutic needs of our rural community utilizing animal-assisted interventions, via animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and animal-assisted activities (AAA). The Delta Society defines the two terms as:

* Animal-assisted therapy: AAT is a goal-directed intervention in which an animal that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. AAT is directed and/or delivered by a health/human service professional with specialized expertise and within the scope of practice of his/her profession. Key features include specified goals and objectives for each individual and measured progress.

* Animal-assisted activity: AAA provides opportunities for motivational, educational, recreational, and/or therapeutic benefits to enhance quality of life. AAAs are delivered in a variety of environments by specially trained professionals, paraprofessionals, and/or volunteers in association with animals that meet specific criteria. Key features include absence of specific treatment goals; volunteers and treatment providers are not required to take detailed notes; visit content is spontaneous.

History of Animal Assisted Interventions

In the late 1700s, animal companionship began to be applied to the treatment of the mentally ill.  At The York Retreat in England, inmates at the mental institution were permitted to explore the retreats property that was awash with various domestic animals. It was believed that the interactions with these animals promoted the development of social and compassionate feelings.

Animal companionship became more progressively widespread in 19th century mental institutions, most notably in England. The benefits of animals were also recognized as having a therapeutic function in the treatment of physical ailments as well, which Florence Nightingale observed in her Notes on Nursing (1880).

Even with the success of animal-assisted interventions in the 18th and 19th centuries, the dawn of scientific medicine in the early 20th century essentially removed animals from any therapeutic role.

Animals were virtually unmentioned in any medical context until the 1960's when Boris Levinson, a child psychologist, used a dog in therapy to conclude that children who were withdrawn and unresponsive to traditional approaches became emotionally interactive once the dog was introduced. In his book Pet-Oriented Child Psychotherapy (1969), Levinson provides numerous illustrations of ways in which animals could enhance therapy.

Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy

There are many benefits that animals bring to a therapy session:

- Reduced Anxiety
The presence of and interaction with animals can produce a calming effect and can serve as a buffer to divert attention from the anxiety the patient may face.

- Expedite the rapport-building between patient and therapist
Animals can serve as a method of interaction between the patient and therapist and can contribute to a more relaxed and less threatening environment. Patients can achieve a greater sense of comfort more quickly.

- Serve as a transitional object
Animals can serve as a comforting diversion until the therapist and patient have developed a sound rapport. The animal can act as a transitional object serving as a bridge to a more socially acceptable level of functioning

- Provide feedback
Animals can help people, particularly children; learn appropriation social interactions and the cause and effect of their behavior due to their uncensored reactions

- Stress reduction
Animal therapy has been linked with a reduction of blood pressure and heart rate

- Increase focus and motivation
Incorporating animals in a therapy session can increase focus on the therapist and the objectives of the session. Animals can also serve as a motivation to minimize distractions and increase the patient's willingness to participate in the therapy.

Animal-Therapy with CPZS

While animal-assisted therapy has most widely been performed with canines; the Central PA Zoological Society is committed to focusing on the patient and his/her needs. A wide variety of animals, primarily domesticated, will be involved in the therapy, depending upon the particular treatment goals determined for each individual patient.

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