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Pet therapy is an umbrella
term that covers many different types of activities. Listed below are
terms commonly used in association with pet therapy.
Pet-Facilitated Therapy
Pet-Assisted Therapy
Animal-Facilitated Therapy
Animal-Assisted Therapy
The term pet therapy is used most
often, but Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is more
functionally correct.
This is the terminology used by the Delta Society.
It is probably the
oldest and most famous pet-facilitated therapy organization. The Delta Society
has developed specific guidelines for the practice of pet therapy. It has
established pet partner
programs, various products to sell, and a vast information network for those who
wish to administer or receive certain types of pet therapy. Their specific
definitions are as follows:
Animal-Assisted
Activity- Any animal-associated activity in which the actions enhance the quality of life of the
people involved. Typically, these activities are more informal and are not
goal-directed.
Example: Volunteers take their dogs to a nursing home to
interact
with patients.
Animal-Assisted Therapy- “A goal-directed intervention in which an animal
that meets specific criteria is an integral part of the treatment process. AAT
is directed and/or delivered by a health/human service professional with
specialized expertise, and within the scope of practice of his/her profession.
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” (Standards
of Practice for Animal-Assisted Activities and Therapy).
Example: A physical therapist uses a cat to work with a
child who
is unable to precisely control his fine motor skills. The
therapist
allows the child to develop his motor skills via feeding the cat and
playing with it.
It is important to
note that the
pets involved in AAT serve a different function then service pets. A service
animal, defined by the American Disabilites Association is “any guide dog,
signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an
individual with a disability.” In contrast, animals involved in AAT are used as adjuncts to
therapy and with a trained human supervisor. |
