Animal Assisted Therapy: Difference between revisions

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===Autism/ ADHD===
===Autism/ ADHD===
{{#ev:youtube|1Cu75qHEOtY}}AAT has been an increasingly common intervention for neurodiversed individuals and research findings suggest promising benefits of AAT for both children and adults on the spectrum, with emphasise on positive influence to their sensory, emotional and physical needs<ref>Ang CS, MacDougall FA. [https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-022-00647-w An Evaluation of Animal-Assisted therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorders: Therapist and parent Perspectives. Psychological Studie]s [Internet]. 2022 Mar 1;67(1):72–81. Available from: <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-022-00647-w</nowiki></ref>. Notable improvements were seen in communication and social interaction skills in children with autism<ref>Ávila-álvarez A, Alonso-Bidegaín M, De-Rosende-Celeiro I, Vizcaíno-Cela M, Larrañeta-Alcalde L, Torres-Tobío G. I[https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12955 mproving social participation of children with autism spectrum disorder: Pilot testing of an early animal‐assisted intervention in Spain.] Health & Social Care in the Community [Internet]. 2020 Feb 5;28(4):1220–9. Available from: <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12955</nowiki></ref>. Moreover, during an animal-assisted activities program, parents reported increased interest in participation among the children involved<ref>London MD, Mackenzie L, Lovarini M, Dickson C, Alvarez-Campos A. [https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04512-5 Animal Assisted Therapy for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Parent perspectives]. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders [Internet]. 2020 Apr 24;50(12):4492–503. Available from: <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04512-5</nowiki></ref>. Other studies show that incoporating animals into therapy, significantly improves their social and emotional outcome during therapy sessions<ref>Wijker C, Leontjevas R, Spek A, Enders-Slegers MJ. [https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-03971-9 Effects of Dog Assisted Therapy for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial]. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders [Internet]. 2019 Mar 21;50(6):2153–63. Available from: <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-03971-9</nowiki></ref>, as well as their self confidence<ref>Schuck S, Johnson HL, Abdullah M, Stehli A, Fine AH, Lakes KD. [https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2018.00300 The role of animal assisted Intervention on Improving Self-Esteem in Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder]. Frontiers in Pediatrics [Internet]. 2018 Nov 2;6. Available from: <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2018.00300</nowiki></ref>.
{{#ev:youtube|1Cu75qHEOtY}}AAT has been an increasingly common intervention for neurodiversed individuals and research findings suggest promising benefits of AAT for both children and adults on the spectrum, with emphasise on positive influence to their sensory, emotional and physical needs<ref>Ang CS, MacDougall FA. [https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-022-00647-w An Evaluation of Animal-Assisted therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorders: Therapist and parent Perspectives. Psychological Studie]s [Internet]. 2022 Mar 1;67(1):72–81. Available from: <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-022-00647-w</nowiki></ref>. Notable improvements were seen in communication and social interaction skills in children with [[Autism Spectrum Disorder|autism]]<ref>Ávila-álvarez A, Alonso-Bidegaín M, De-Rosende-Celeiro I, Vizcaíno-Cela M, Larrañeta-Alcalde L, Torres-Tobío G. I[https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12955 mproving social participation of children with autism spectrum disorder: Pilot testing of an early animal‐assisted intervention in Spain.] Health & Social Care in the Community [Internet]. 2020 Feb 5;28(4):1220–9. Available from: <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12955</nowiki></ref>. Moreover, during an animal-assisted activities program, parents reported increased interest in participation among the children involved<ref>London MD, Mackenzie L, Lovarini M, Dickson C, Alvarez-Campos A. [https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04512-5 Animal Assisted Therapy for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Parent perspectives]. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders [Internet]. 2020 Apr 24;50(12):4492–503. Available from: <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04512-5</nowiki></ref>. Other studies show that incoporating animals into therapy, significantly improves their social and emotional outcome during therapy sessions<ref>Wijker C, Leontjevas R, Spek A, Enders-Slegers MJ. [https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-03971-9 Effects of Dog Assisted Therapy for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial]. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders [Internet]. 2019 Mar 21;50(6):2153–63. Available from: <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-03971-9</nowiki></ref>, as well as their self confidence<ref>Schuck S, Johnson HL, Abdullah M, Stehli A, Fine AH, Lakes KD. [https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2018.00300 The role of animal assisted Intervention on Improving Self-Esteem in Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder]. Frontiers in Pediatrics [Internet]. 2018 Nov 2;6. Available from: <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2018.00300</nowiki></ref>.


===Physical disability===
===Physical disability===
AAT can be used as a adjunct therapy in addition to traditional physiotherapy for individuals with physical disabilities. AAT is commonly used in '''neurorehabilitation''', such as for those with multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and stroke etc.
AAT can be used as a adjunct therapy in addition to traditional physiotherapy for individuals with physical disabilities. AAT is commonly used in '''neurorehabilitation''', such as for those with [[Multiple Sclerosis (MS)|multiple sclerosis]] (MS), [[Traumatic Brain Injury|traumatic brain injury]], [[Spinal Cord Injury|spinal cord injury]]  (SCI) and [[stroke]] etc. Studies reviewed that AAT contributes in the positive outcomes in balance, gait and quality of life in patients with MS<ref name=":0">Charry-Sánchez JD, Pradilla I, Talero-Gutiérrez C. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.06.011 Animal-assisted therapy in adults: A systematic review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice] [Internet]. 2018 Aug 1;32:169–80. Available from: <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.06.011</nowiki></ref>, as well as improvements in motor function in stroke patients<ref name=":0" />. Although long-term benefits has not been observed for patients with SCI, short-term improvements in spasticity with AAT have been recorded in several studies<ref name=":0" />.  


AAT is also common in '''paediatric rehabilitation''', such as for children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome etc.
AAT is also common in '''paediatric rehabilitation''', such as for children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome etc.

Revision as of 09:53, 31 December 2023

Original Editor - Trista Chan

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Description[edit | edit source]

Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a therapeutic approach that incorporates specially trained animals into healthcare to enhance the well-being of individuals with cognitive or physical disabilities. AAT is used by various health professionals, for example, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists and more. The most common types of AAT are canine therapy and equine therapy, but other animals including farm animals, cats and guinea pigs are also being used.

Indication[edit | edit source]

Animal Assisted Therapy is found to be beneficial in a wide range of physical and cognitive conditions, such as dementia/Alzheimer's, oncology and palliative care, pain management, autism, ADHD, trauma and patients with physical, communication or cognitive disabilities, etc.

Dementia/ Alzheimer's disease[edit | edit source]

Studies have found that AAT has a positive physiological and neurological impact, including improvements in both cognition and mood[1], on patients' with Alzheimer's disease[2]. Additionally, due to the presence of animal, AAT improves patients' social behaviour, as it encourages them to engage in social interaction and reduces the feeling of isolation[3].

Oncology/ palliative care[edit | edit source]

chronic pain

Autism/ ADHD[edit | edit source]

AAT has been an increasingly common intervention for neurodiversed individuals and research findings suggest promising benefits of AAT for both children and adults on the spectrum, with emphasise on positive influence to their sensory, emotional and physical needs[4]. Notable improvements were seen in communication and social interaction skills in children with autism[5]. Moreover, during an animal-assisted activities program, parents reported increased interest in participation among the children involved[6]. Other studies show that incoporating animals into therapy, significantly improves their social and emotional outcome during therapy sessions[7], as well as their self confidence[8].

Physical disability[edit | edit source]

AAT can be used as a adjunct therapy in addition to traditional physiotherapy for individuals with physical disabilities. AAT is commonly used in neurorehabilitation, such as for those with multiple sclerosis (MS), traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury (SCI) and stroke etc. Studies reviewed that AAT contributes in the positive outcomes in balance, gait and quality of life in patients with MS[9], as well as improvements in motor function in stroke patients[9]. Although long-term benefits has not been observed for patients with SCI, short-term improvements in spasticity with AAT have been recorded in several studies[9].

AAT is also common in paediatric rehabilitation, such as for children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome etc.

Types of Animal Assisted Therapy[edit | edit source]

Canine therapy[edit | edit source]

Canine therapy involves the use of specially trained dogs to provide emotional and/or physical support. Canine therapy is versatile as therapy dogs can be trained to cater for different needs.This type of therapy can be adapted in various settings, such as schools, hospital, rehabilitation centers, aged care facilities and so on.

Hippotherapy/ equine-assisted therapy[edit | edit source]

Hippotherapy/ equine-assisted therapy involves interactions with horses. Click here for more information.

Other types of AAT[edit | edit source]

Other than dogs and horses, farms animals, cats and guinea pigs have been used in AAT clinically and on research trials. They can be integrated into therapy sessions based on individual therapy goals and preferences.

Resources[edit | edit source]

Hippotherapy

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Santaniello A, Garzillo S, Amato A, Sansone M, Di Palma A, Di Maggio A, et al. Animal-Assisted Therapy as a Non-Pharmacological Approach in Alzheimer’s Disease: A retrospective study. Animals [Internet]. 2020 Jul 6;10(7):1142. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10071142
  2. ↑ Gregorini A, Di Canio A, Palmucci E, Tomasetti M, Rocchi M, Colomba M. Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) in Alzheimer’s Disease: a case study. Healthcare [Internet]. 2022 Mar 18;10(3):567. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10030567
  3. ↑ Quintavalla F, Cao S, Spinelli D, Caffarra P, Rossi FM, Basini G, et al. Effects of Dog-Assisted therapies on cognitive mnemonic capabilities in people affected by Alzheimer’s Disease. Animals [Internet]. 2021 May 11;11(5):1366. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051366
  4. ↑ Ang CS, MacDougall FA. An Evaluation of Animal-Assisted therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorders: Therapist and parent Perspectives. Psychological Studies [Internet]. 2022 Mar 1;67(1):72–81. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-022-00647-w
  5. ↑ Ávila-álvarez A, Alonso-Bidegaín M, De-Rosende-Celeiro I, Vizcaíno-Cela M, Larrañeta-Alcalde L, Torres-Tobío G. Improving social participation of children with autism spectrum disorder: Pilot testing of an early animal‐assisted intervention in Spain. Health & Social Care in the Community [Internet]. 2020 Feb 5;28(4):1220–9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12955
  6. ↑ London MD, Mackenzie L, Lovarini M, Dickson C, Alvarez-Campos A. Animal Assisted Therapy for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Parent perspectives. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders [Internet]. 2020 Apr 24;50(12):4492–503. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04512-5
  7. ↑ Wijker C, Leontjevas R, Spek A, Enders-Slegers MJ. Effects of Dog Assisted Therapy for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders [Internet]. 2019 Mar 21;50(6):2153–63. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-03971-9
  8. ↑ Schuck S, Johnson HL, Abdullah M, Stehli A, Fine AH, Lakes KD. The role of animal assisted Intervention on Improving Self-Esteem in Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Frontiers in Pediatrics [Internet]. 2018 Nov 2;6. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2018.00300
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Charry-Sánchez JD, Pradilla I, Talero-Gutiérrez C. Animal-assisted therapy in adults: A systematic review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice [Internet]. 2018 Aug 1;32:169–80. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.06.011
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