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	AAT/AAA

What Is Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)? Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) is the utilization of animals as a therapeutic modality to facilitate healing and rehabilitation of patients with acute or chronic diseases. It is defined as a goal-directed intervention in which an animal is an integral part of the treatment process. AAT is directed and/or delivered and documented by a health/human service professional with a specific clinical goal for a particular individual in mind. According to Delta Society's 'Animal-Assisted Therapy--Therapeutic Interventions', AAT is not a style of therapy, like rational-emotive therapy, cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, etc. Instead, a therapist who utilizes AAT operates from his/her professional foundation and facilitates change in a client through the client's interactions with an animal. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, certified therapeutic recreation specialists, recreational therapists, teachers, social workers, and others can incorporate AAT into their work and treatments in a multitude of ways. AAT is designed to promote improvement in human physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning. AAT is provided in a variety of settings, and may be group or individual in nature. This process is documented and evaluated. What is the difference between a Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) and AAT? A visitation program occurs when animals accompany their owners to a facility and visit with the patients or residents. The main goal of this type program is socialization. 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. How is a service dog or an disability assist dog different from a therapy dog As service dog is a type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have disabilities other than visual or hearing impairment. Examples include guide dog for blind, mobility assistance dogs (for disabled) , and seizure response or medical response dogs. Service animals perform some of the functions and tasks that the individual with a disability cannot perform for him or herself. "Seeing eye dogs" are one type of service animal, used by some individuals who are blind. This is the type of service animal with which most people are familiar. But there are service animals that assist persons with other kinds of disabilities in their day-to-day activities. Some examples include: Alerting persons with hearing impairments to sounds, Pulling wheelchairs or carrying and picking up things for persons with mobility impairments, Assisting persons with mobility impairments with balance. Therapy dogs are not service dogs. A therapy dog is an individual's pet which has been trained, tested and certified to work in hospital, nursing home, school, and other institutional settings. The therapy dog and his partner visit to cheer patients, to educate the community, to counter grief and stress, and generally be good canine ambassadors within the community. The canine program of Delta Society Pet Partners under whom I am registered along with Kutty, is an example of a therapy dog. Most therapy dog partners are volunteers, but some states recognize professional therapy dogs partnered with therapists and other mental health professionals. What are the benefits of AAT versus traditional modalities? AAT offers numerous benefits beyond those available through traditional therapies. AAT allows a 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 psychosocial benefits such as building rapport, increasing self-esteem and motivation and stress reduction. What other modality offers such a variety of benefits in such a delightful package? 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.

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