Animal-Assisted Therapy
FAQ's about Animal Assisted Therapy
Therapet
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is the utilization of animals as a theraputic modality to facilitate healing and rehabilitation of patients with acute or chronic diseases.
What is the difference between a visitation program and AAT?
A visitation program occurs when animals accompany their owners to a facility and visit with the patients. The main goal of this type program is socialization. On the other hand, an Animal Assisted Therapy program occurs when animals are used by the therapist in goal directed treatment sessions, as a modality, to facilitate optimal patient outcomes. Regardless of the type of program, all animals should be temperament tested, given a complete veterinary screening and receive obedience training before beginning to work with patients.
What are the benefits of AAT versus traditional modalities?
AAT offers numerous benefits beyond those available through traditional therapies. In this era of managed care and cost reduction, AAT allows therapists to use one treatment tool, an animal, to target a variety of goals. These include, but are not limited to, improving patients' range of motion, strength and endurance, balance and mobility and sensation. During the same session, using the animal, cognitive and perceptual deficits can be addressed. The patient also receives psycosocial benefits such as building rapport, increasing self-esteem and motivation and stress reduction. What other modality offers such a varietyof benefits in such a delightful package?
What is the difference between temperament and training?
Temperament is an animal's natural or instinctive behavior. This is the innate way an animal will respond when stressed. Training is teaching an animal to follow commands while under the control of a human. Successful therapy and visitation animals must have sound temperament and obedience training.
Why should Therapy Animals be temperament tested?
Animals that participate in AAT programs are placed in very stressful situations each time they work with patients. It is essential for the safety of the patients that the animals instinctively react in a safe, predictable way during therapy.
What health screening is required for Therapy Dogs?
The veterinarian screens the prospective therapy dog for intestinal parasites, overall good health, healthy teeth and gums, good coat and skin condition and any chronic diseases that may interfere with the animal performing at their best. In addition, owners must provide proof that all vaccinations are current.
How do I set up a visitation or AAT program at my facility?
To establish an AAT program one must begin by approaching the facility's administration with a well organized plan. This should include: clearly written policies and procedures; staff education about the proposed program; a plan for recruitment of volunteers and training; a plan for testing and training of potential therapy animals and a plan for implimentation of the program.
What animals are appropriate for inclusion in the program?
The most popular animals for AAT programs are dogs and cats. However rabbits, horses and birds can also be used. The size and location of the facility as well as the patient population are important factors to consider. Animals that are not domesticated are not candidates for AAT as health and vaccine knowledge is not sufficient for safe patient exposure.
Please note that there are many organizations that certify animals for therapy work. Their criteria differ greatly. Therapet has very strict criteria for certification because of the way in which these animals are used. Any animal used should be certified by an organization that provides ongoing education to the animal and owner and provides liability insurance to the owner as part of the registration. Check out the organizations you plan to acquire your animals from very carefully, your program's success depends on it!
Therapet Animal Assisted Therapy Foundation
Therapet Animal Assisted Therapy Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to facilitate the use of animals in healing and rehabilitation of acute and chronically ill individuals. Therapet works to accomplish this through the education and training of health care professionals, evaluation and training of animals and human volunteers, as well as the establishment of ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY programs throughout the country.
Therapet
PO Box 1696
Whitehouse, Tx 75791-1696
Therapet@juno.com
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