Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Getting Basic

Statistics and research are all fine and dandy, but I think it's time to take a deeper look into Animal-Assisted Therapy. There has to be more to it than just playing with dogs and caring for llamas. This week I set out to find out more about AAT on a more in depth level.

In the American Journal of Critical Care, Margo A. Halm defines Animal-Assisted Therapy in her article entitled "The Healing Power of the Human-Animal Connection"; she says that it "is an intentional healing modality" in which goals are set and achieved through the use of trained therapy animals interacting with patients. While AAT is often found in professional settings, it is also common for patients to have their own pet -- for example, elderly patients in hospice care may often have a fish to take care of. 

Even though my research focuses on the use of AAT with autistic children, this mode of therapy has many uses, and is found to be useful for a wide array of issues -- from depression, to terminal illness, to autism, and everything in between. In fact, even in 1860, before autism was even a know disability, Florence Nightingale commented on AAT, saying that "a small pet is often an excellent companion for the sick, for long chronic cases especially" (qtd. in Halm). 

The goals that are set for AAT use vary as much as the disorders it is used for. Generally, goals can be as simple as improved happiness or comfort, and even for improvement in self esteem. From there goals can become more complex, such as lowered body temperature, slowed respiratory rate, and reduced pain. In cases involving autistic individuals, goals range from improved communication, improved sensory functions, and increasing motivation in patients.

Given this information, it is safe to say that simply owning a pet does not simply mean you are being treated for some ailment, but it can improve the way you feel in general. Halm's article said that dog owners walk 400-500% more than people without dogs, and that animals improve our mood and emotions. As for myself, I know that my special little guy always helps improve my mood...

Lounging around...

I wish he would do my homework while he's sitting at that desk.

He's pretty stylish.


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