Member article
By Jane Verity © dementiacareinternational
Throughout the 1980’s, there was a strong push from professionals to provide what many claim to know instinctively – interacting with animals makes us feel good. Quasi-experimental studies and case reports began to emerge demonstrating support that animal-assisted therapy provides an adjunct to traditional therapies and is particularly effective at facilitating engagement and rapport.
People who have pets benefit in various ways, for example, the comfort of physical contact with animals, reducing loneliness, and increased opportunities for meeting others, via the pets. In addition, caring for pets encourages nurturance, responsibility, and adherence to a daily schedule.
Physical
- Improve fine motor skills.
- Improve wheelchair skill
- Improve standing balance.
- May lower blood pressure, risk for stroke or heart attack, and decrease depression.
Mental
A 2007 meta-analysis found that animal-assisted therapy is associated with moderate effect sizes in improving outcomes in autism spectrum symptoms, medical difficulties, behavioral problems, and emotional well-being. Increase verbal interactions among group members.
- Increase attention skills (i.e., paying attention, staying on task).
- Develop leisure/recreation skills.
- Increase self-esteem.
- Reduce anxiety.
- Reduce loneliness.
Educational
- Increase vocabulary
- Aid in long- or short-term memory.
- Improve knowledge of concepts, such as size, color, etc.
- Motivational
- Improve willingness to be involved in a group activity
- Improve interactions with others
- Improve interactions with staff
The presence of animals has a ‘social lubricant’ effect. People tend to talk and interact more in the presence of an animal. Within therapy, animals may facilitate relationships between clients and therapists. Animals can be a catalyst for discussions and having an animal in the room seems to draw out isolated, withdrawn or anxious individuals.
Animals can also reduce isolation and loneliness. They can act as a confidant, a provider of ‘unconditional love,’ and motivate individuals to exercise and socialise. Studies have shown that disabled individuals out with their assistance dogs are much more likely to have conversations and social interactions than those without dogs.
This type of connection between humans and animals may be explained by the Biophilia hypothesis, which suggests that humans have an intrinsic and biological imperative to connect with nature, a need for attention and connection. Research suggests that animals may act as attachment figures, providing love, touch and companionship. People in turn provide nurturance and care giving, share confidences and foster a special and unique relationship with their pets. This may be especially true for children and young people, who attach readily to companion animals and even visiting animals.
Physical and Physiological benefits
A study in 1992 of 8,000 Australians reported that pet owners were less likely to get heart disease than their pet-less counterparts. Even though the owners in the study ate more meat and fast-food than non-pet owners, they had lower blood pressure, plasma cholesterol, and triglycerides, and got more exercise.(1)
Physiological studies examining heart rate and stress chemicals show that even relatively brief interactions with a pet produced measurable beneficial effects. Longer-term interactions, such as pet ownership or companionship, result in positive cardiac outcomes, such as living longer and recovering faster after a heart attack than non-owners. Elderly animal owners also make fewer visits to their doctors, even during times of stress.
Interactions with visiting animals have also been shown to have an impact, as has the mere presence of animals in certain situations. The presence of a friendly dog may assist coping with stressful situations, for example helping people to feel more at ease during doctors’ visits or medical procedures. People perform better on mental challenges such as maths problems when a friendly dog is present. Even watching animals may produce beneficial effects, for example a drop in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate when observing birds or fish.
The presence of adult dogs or puppies in care environments has had positive impacts on residents with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Studies indicate less overall noise and aggression, decreased heart rates and increases in meaningful verbalisations and social interactions from residents.
Some researchers feel these positive physiological impacts can be explained by the fact that animals can fulfil humans’ innate need for attention, affection and affiliation with others. It has been suggested that human-animal interaction results in a positive feedback loop that affects humans’ autonomic and sympathetic nervous systems, thereby reducing stress and anxiety chemicals. Researchers contend that between 5 and 25 minutes of positive interaction with a friendly dog can have positive impacts on BP, plasma triglycerides, skin conductance and various stress chemicals.
It is worth noting that many of these results rely on a good fit between the human and the animal. That is, if pet ownership produces undue stress or responsibilities beyond the capacity of the individual, any positive effects are likely to be outweighed. One is unlikely to feel relaxed or at ease when patting an animal, they are afraid of, or averse to. The personal history and culture of the individual is also likely to influence their reactions. Animals considered dirty, evil, or fierce are unwise matches. The degree of attachment between owner and animal will affect how much the person benefits from the interaction.
Psychological & Emotional Benefits
Data is also emerging to support the mental health, cognitive, social and emotional benefits of animal-assisted therapy. Research supports AAT as a useful method of stress and anxiety reduction, increased social interactions and motivation, improved mood, reduced aggression and continues to lend support to earlier notions of enhancing rapport and engagement.
Studies conducted in adult psychiatric hospitals show a range of benefits to patients. AAT programmes increase pro-social behaviours and functioning for up to 12 months post the intervention. Other benefits found have been reductions in anxiety, depression and increased functioning and self-esteem. AAT programmes also attract the highest attendance rates and have above-average retention rates. Studies examining peoples stress prior to medical procedures found that 15 minutes of simple interaction with a dog produces a positive “feel good” response and by 30 minutes shows a reduction in ‘state anxiety’.
Evaluation
Animal-assisted interventions do not yet have rigorous scientific support across a broad range of populations. For this reason, it is vital individuals and organisations evaluate interventions and increase the scientific knowledge base. There is a push for evidence-based interventions in health and welfare settings. Comprehensive case studies, qualitative evaluation, pre and post testing and rigorous scientific studies in partnership with universities are required. When considering evaluation, it may be important to maintain independent researchers/evaluators who do not have an interest in the outcomes.
Further reading
Relevant resources
- Lead the Way Website www.ltw.com.au
The “Lead The Way Animal Assisted Therapy Programme” was evaluated by MonashLink Community Health Service Monash University to determine its efficacy in the development of resilience. The results were launched in Mental Health Week, October 2007 and www.furryfriends.org/ – (1)
- The Delta Society has an excellent library of related articles or you can contact the Australian branch via Delta Society Australia Ltd,Shop 2, 50 Carlton Crescent SUMMER HILL NSW 2130, Ph: (02) 9797 7922 or listen to more on YouTube