Therapy
Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) - The most clinical of the interaction, AAT is defined as a goal directed intervention in which an animal
meeting specific criteria is an integral part of a structured treatment process. AAT is delivered or directed by a professional, has specific
objectives for each client involved and is documented and evaluated. It promotes improvement in human physical, social, emotional or
cognitive functioning and its results are measured. For example, walking with a dog for a specified time daily may be incorporated into a
physical therapy program resulting in the client increasing the distance walking unaided from 25 meters to 100 meters in three minutes.
Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) - There are many opportunities for both professional and volunteer involvement in AAA. Enhancing
quality of life is the general goal in AAA programs and its results are certainly therapeutic in nature but there are no written objectives for
individual clients. The possibilities for AAA include educational programs for all ages, self-expression in literary or visual arts using animals
as motivation or inspiration and craft projects ranging from birdhouses to dog blankets.
Pet Visitation - This last category includes the unintentional unstructured visits that take place in the halls, the walk-about style of visit that
is often not much more than a pat on the head and the exchange of polite greeting and a good-bye. Not to be dismissed, these interactions
are still very memorable, very enjoyable and very important especially to those people living in continuing care facilities in our communities.
The benefits of interaction with pets are many.
Visits with therapy pets encourage reminiscence
and social interaction and result in stress relief and
incidental physiotherapy.
Medical studies suggest that blood pressure may
be lowered and hospital stays shortened when
patients have access to pets.
Often, a visit with a pet can be the high point in a
shut-in's day, bringing happiness and a sense of
well-being.
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