Second, “therapeutic mediation” entails AATs addressing specific therapeutic goals and needs in a structured manner. Finally, “activating mediation” comprises AATs designed to stimulate engagement and participation in various activities or tasks. It has been around for over a century, and first popularized by Florence Nightingale, a nurse who noticed that patients with chronic illness felt better when they had the chance of interacting with animals. Now, pet therapy programs, also known as animal-assisted therapy, is offered not only at universities for stressed out students, but hospitals, nursing homes, and basically everywhere there are people.
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The animals completed a specific training process as therapy dogs, always with positive training techniques and habituation to the hospital environment in order to be able to easily adapt to different situations. The dogs were always accompanied by the AAI technicians, who are trained in ethology and dog training and always had animal welfare in mind. Each technician lives with his/her therapy dogs in order to promote the bond between the professional guide for the animal and the dog itself.
Quantitative Study
- The number of studies with at least one statistically significant positive outcome measure, divided by patient condition and intervention category, is presented in Table 3.
- The results from the STAI for Children suggested that brief pet therapy visits served as a tool to decrease anxiety in children who were hospitalized and promote family satisfaction.
- Animal-assisted therapy, also known as pet therapy, is a therapeutic intervention that involves animals to enhance the well-being of individuals across various populations and settings.
Unlike service animals or emotional support does animal-assisted therapy work the pet-human bond animals, therapy animals assist multiple people in various settings under professional guidance. Documented since the late 18th century at the York Retreat in England, the practice has grown in healthcare and education due to its proven benefits. These interactions might provide a context that improves communication and self-confidence, reduces disease symptoms, and improves quality of life, with the dog acting as a social catalyst and social support 10,11. With this HAB factor in mind, AAT aims to develop bonding skills in patients on the basis of HAI 13. Attachment styles and behaviors indicative of maintaining contact during AAT are taken as additional indicators of HAB strength 14. The description of selected studies for qualitative analysis is presented in Tables1 2.
Associated Data
- But is there a mismatch between the media coverage of AAT and the evidence that these therapies actually work?
- AAT interventions involve qualified treatment providers facilitating interactions between patients and animals with specific therapeutic goals in mind.
- AAT interventions contribute to individuals’ well-being, supporting physical health and improving cognitive, emotional-affective, and social aspects, leading to enhanced emotional well-being, reduced anxiety, and decreased stress levels 8-10.
- First, “supportive mediation” involves AATs providing emotional and psychological support to individuals.
Equine-assisted therapy uses horses to support emotional growth and physical rehabilitation. Activities such as grooming, leading or riding can help improve balance, confidence, and emotional regulation. This therapy is especially beneficial for individuals with anxiety, dementia, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Depending on the setting and therapeutic goals, animal-assisted therapy can take numerous forms. Common types include working with dogs, horses, small pets and farm animals to support people of all ages. The number of studies with at least one statistically significant positive outcome measure, divided by patient condition and intervention category, is presented in Table 3.
Study Selection
CSAWPBS is a scale that aims to measure the participants’ perception of the dog’s presence, feelings of reciprocity between the participant and the dog, and the participants’ degree of attachment to the dog. It presents statements such as “the pet dog likes me” and “the pet dog knows when I feel happy”. For individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, AAT offers a non-verbal means to enhance social skills and communication. Techniques like dolphin-assisted therapy focus on sensory engagement and promote emotional expression.
Patients in the intervention group reported a significant decrease in depression and anxiety levels, as measured by the PHQ-4, compared to the control group. The findings of the study suggest that AAT fosters a healing environment for patients, incorporating a holistic and humanistic approach that elicits overwhelmingly positive responses. Other researchers have found similar patterns of results in their examination of animal-assisted therapy studies. Erika Friedmann and Heesook Son reviewed 28 AAT studies published between 1997 and 2009 (here). The studies involved a wide variety of disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, developmental disabilities, and Down’s syndrome.
When hurt by humans, connecting with another species provides an opportunity to tune in to and express the love that persists despite the hurt. Caring for animals and advocating for their welfare can help shift focus from personal problems to finding purpose and meaning in life. To combat this, hospitals and institutions have strict protocols to ensure their patients are not put at undue risk due to the presence of therapy animals. Overall, when considering the results of all these studies, it becomes evident that each one exhibited at least one statistically significant positive effect. The search process resulted in 968 unique articles after initial searches from various electronic databases like PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, which yielded 942 articles.
Both dogs and horses can work effectively with individuals with PTSD and those with disrupted attachment capacities (Fisher et al., 2021). Some programs involve humans with PTSD helping animals with PTSD, which highlights the power of mutually healing relationships (Schlote, 2018). This study aims to contribute innovation and research to an under-studied area that can be useful in an adjunctive manner for pharmacological treatments in patients with mental health disorders. The objective of this study was to determine the HAB generated after a brief intervention using AAT in adolescents with mental health disorders.
The earliest documented instance dates back to the late 18th century when animals were introduced into mental health institutions to enhance social interaction among patients 3,4. Today, numerous programs worldwide incorporate animals to varying degrees in their services. These programs are particularly beneficial for individuals who have experienced trauma, including those diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, Alzheimer disease, autism, etc 4,5. Have you ever felt calmer just by petting your dog or noticed your anxiety ease when your cat curls up beside you?
Shorter sessions of about 20 minutes have been shown to yield significant benefits in outpatient environments. Therapy animals complete specialized training in obedience, socialization and diverse environments to ensure they’re calm and responsive. Programs like the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen test are common, and groups like Pet Partners certify both animal and handler. We can say that pets provide a safe place for people, and during illness or emotional struggle, this can be very helpful in the process of recovery.
Additionally, all studies showed positive outcomes for depression and neurological disorders. Regarding stress and anxiety, 3 studies indicated supportive mediation, while 2 studies showed activating mediation. As a result, in many areas of science, published findings are heavily biased toward positive results.
The results revealed that the group receiving the intervention showed greater improvements in caregiver-reported symptoms of PTSD, internalizing concerns, and externalizing problems compared to the control group 22. In a study by Anderson and Brown 24 involving nursing students, the intervention group experienced interactions with dogs before testing. This interaction served as a stress reliever for the students, resulting in a decrease in anxiety as measured by the STAI. Thakkar et al 25 conducted a study on children who were undergoing dental assessments. The findings indicated that the intervention group showed a significantly greater anxiety reduction compared to the control group, as measured by the modified faces version of the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale.