For those of us who are practising the art of psychotherapy, we have so many different theoretical orientations to train ourselves in; so many techniques and practices to employ that eventually assist other individuals to go through the tough times of their lives. Newer approaches and modules of psychological interventions are being prepared and researched every year worldwide. Oriental therapies like mindfulness, reiki, tai chi have emerged slowly as alternative modes of healing the self and the soul. One of the more recent complementary modalities of therapeutic work that has gained much prominence is the use of trained animals in the therapeutic program.
What it actually is?
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) started earning a reputation at the turn of the century. It broadly falls under the umbrella of Animal Assisted Interventions. It refers to any form of intervention that utilizes animals to assist and support with daily activities. However, the applications have been steadily expanded over time. Nowadays, the animals' aid, not only in the performance of the activities of daily living, but also help in terms of providing emotional, cognitive, and social support. Major forms of animal-assisted therapy utilize dogs (canine-assisted), cats (feline-assisted), horses (equine-assisted), and may even utilize birds. Whichever animal is used, the main aim is always to reduce the stress level of the clients and to foster a sense of motivation in them to work towards positive growth.
The basic premise is that animals are brought into the therapy situation to expedite multiple therapeutic goals. Dogs and cats are brought to the clients’ rooms to assist with several activities apart from simply cuddling. Patients usually report feeling safe and comforted when they cuddle with the animals. They feel more positive and optimistic about themselves and the therapy situation. They feel more motivated to engage in therapy work and take responsibility in the change process. Horses are usually used to enhance the mobility of physically and mentally challenged individuals which in turn fosters a sense of triumph and fulfillment in them. During my training period, I had seen a client who was difficult to get through, but the same client was seen cuddling the stray dog and her babies outside. When one of the puppies was brought into the session, it encouraged the client to reach out and then eventually a rapport was established, and the client opened up about her issues. It encouraged me to understand the implications of using animals in the therapeutic framework.
How does it help?
AAT usually facilitates something referred to as the ‘therapeutic touch’. This is a controversial aspect of therapeutic situations wherein it is contended that at times touching the hands of the client during therapeutic sessions promotes a sense of well-being and improves rapport with the client. However, this is quite controversial in the sense that it can be very easily subjected to abuse. The client might feel that his/her subjective space is being encroached upon. However, with the use of therapy animals, the purpose of therapeutic touch is fulfilled by the animal instead of the therapist. Thus, by touching the animal the client feels comforted, and the therapist doesn’t find himself/herself in a difficult position. However, this is applicable in two situations only. First, if at all touch is needed in the therapeutic situation; and second, only if the client is comfortable with animals.
The therapy animals are specially trained to detect the concerns in the patients and aid them when in need. They are tested for their temperament first and then trained meticulously to become a therapy animal. Obedience training is a must for these animals.
In a hospital setting animals can be brought in to serve a multitude of functions. They tend to increase the range of motion, balance, mobility, coordination, and strength of the patients. In a nutshell, it provides an all-inclusive delightful package that rarely any other modalities of intervention can match. It can especially help war veterans, children with neurodevelopmental issues, people with terminal illnesses, people in residential institutions, people with mental health issues who are living alone. Other benefits of AAT include the following
- • Reduce the solitude by offering a companion
- • Helps to soothe the effects of anxiety
- • Increase the commitment to partake in activities otherwise not engaged in
- • Fostering social skills
- • Helping children understand empathic skills
THE WAY FORWARD
AAT has been used in a multitude of settings and the benefits have been reported by numerous studies. Dogs have been trained to assist with the Post Traumatic Stress Disorders in war veterans, to identify the onset of panic attacks and help the victim, to assist the elderly with emotional support and in activities of daily living; horse riding is assisting with the sensation-seeking aspect of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Although there is a tendency to produce only the positive aspects of the literature, one must keep in mind that using animals includes a risk to compromise hygiene and thus needs to be monitored diligently. If used properly this mode of intervention would soon emerge as the most important form of complementary intervention in holistic healthcare. Because “animals are the bridge between us and the beauty of all that is natural”.
