Animal-Assisted Therapy

 

 

 

 Animal-Assisted Therapy

Introduction  

AAT involves the structured, intentional inclusion of an animal in the psychotherapy process, while animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP) is a growing mental health specialty that leverages the human-animal bond to help individuals improve their emotional, social, and cognitive functioning[2] .  The therapy can take many forms, based on the patient, the therapist, and the animal, and can involve everything from petting to giving treats to just sitting together[3] .  AAT has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and ASD[1] 

It has been proved that animals are provider of sense of comfort and  calm  as well safety diversion also available there along with it  stressful situation and toward one that provides pleasure, helping to combat loneliness and boost social support[1]

 

 what types of animals are commonly used in animal-assisted therapy

Dogs are the most commonly used animals in animal-assisted therapy (AAT) due to their friendly and social nature[1] . However, there are many different types of animals that can be used in AAT, including cats, horses, birds, and even dolphins[2] . The choice of animal used in therapy depends on the patient, the therapist, and the goals for treatment[1] . For example, horses are often used in equine-assisted therapy to help individuals with mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression[3] . Cats are also used in AAT, particularly in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, where they can provide comfort and companionship to residents[4] . The use of therapy animals is not limited to domesticated animals, as some therapy programs use animals such as llamas, alpacas, and even snakes[2] . Ultimately, the choice of animal used in AAT depends on the individual needs of the patient and the goals of the therapy program

 

 How do dogs help improve social skills in animal-assisted therapy

Dogs can help improve social skills in animal-assisted therapy (AAT) by promoting empathy, generosity, and other similar qualities[1] . Interacting with dogs can also help individuals take responsibilities seriously and think about cooperation and teamwork[1] . Dogs can also help individuals improve their communication, self-regulation, and socialization skills[2] . The presence of a dog can provide a sense of calm, comfort, or safety and divert attention away from a stressful situation and toward one that provides pleasure, helping to combat loneliness and boost social support[2] .  In addition, dogs can lead people to get more physical activity than they would otherwise, which can also help improve social skills[2] . Overall, the use of dogs in AAT can provide numerous benefits for individuals with mental health conditions, including improving social skills.

 

 Animal-assisted therapy is a type of therapy that involves animals in the treatment process. It can be useful for individuals or groups experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, autism, ADHD, and other conditions[1] . There are different types of animal-assisted therapy, including equine-assisted therapy, canine-assisted therapy, and dolphin-assisted therapy[2] . The human-animal bond is a powerful force that can effect meaningful change when used appropriately[3] . Incorporating animal-assisted therapy in mental health treatments can improve the efficacy of treatments in self-selected adolescent populations via reductions in primary symptomatology and via secondary factors that improve therapeutic processes and quality, such as engagement and retention[4] .  A systematic review of benefits suggests that the human relationship with animals can be useful and relatively safe for patients with various problems[5] .

 

what are the risks associated with animal-assisted therapy

Animal-assisted therapy is a type of therapy that involves animals in the treatment process. It can be useful for individuals or groups experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, autism, ADHD, and other conditions[1] . There are different types of animal-assisted therapy, including equine-assisted therapy, canine-assisted therapy, and dolphin-assisted therapy[2] . The human-animal bond is a powerful force that can effect meaningful change when used appropriately[3] . Incorporating animal-assisted therapy in mental health treatments can improve the efficacy of treatments in self-selected adolescent populations via reductions in primary symptomatology and via secondary factors that improve therapeutic processes and quality, such as engagement and retention[4] .  A systematic review of benefits suggests that the human relationship with animals can be useful and relatively safe for patients with various problems[5] .

Conclusion

In conclusion, animal-assisted therapy is a promising field that has the potential to effect meaningful change for many populations[1] . While research on this subject is limited, existing findings show that the human/animal bond is a powerful force when used appropriately. Animal-assisted therapy has been used to target discipline-specific goals for patients with acquired neurogenic communication disorders[2] , and has been shown to be effective for patients with dementia[3] . However, more rigorous clinical trials are needed to assess its efficacy[4] . Overall, animal-assisted therapy is a form of alternative therapy that can be used to help people in various ways[5] .

.