Animal Assisted Therapy and Health Outcomes Rebecca Williams Jessica Copeland Jessica Peacock Michelle Robinson

According to Young & Koopsen, (2011)Animal-assisted therapy “is defined as the utilization of animals as a therapeutic modality to facilitate healing and rehabilitation of clients with disabilities or acute or chronic ailments.”(p. 191) “A visit with a therapy animal can evoke pleasant memories, reduce loneliness and provide the opportunity for unconditional acceptance. These benefits last long after the therapy animal has gone home” (Young & Koopsen referenced from Banks& Banks p. 193)

Some Animals That Provide Healing Dogs Cats Horses Fish Birds

Practice Environment According to Young and Koopsen (2011) Animal-Assisted Therapy Settings include but are not limited to: Nursing homesHospice care centers Mental healthcare unitsCorrectional facilities Residential treatment centers, Acute care and intensive care units Senior daycare centers, Oncology units Long-term care facilities, Clients homes Schools for the disabled Psychiatric facilities. Speech and occupational units(p.197 box 7-3)

Animals are used in many different ways: Animals aid in Communication, social support, Animals help Individuals with Disabilities, Therapy Animals such as: Service animals, Social animals, Companion animals. These are some of the ways that animals can help a person with their cognitive physical psychosocial and spiritual needs.

Research Question Does animal assisted therapy improve health care outcomes?

Aninmal-assisted therapy in a mental health unit Study 1 Animal -assisted therapy vs Stress management program Method of testing Variables measured Results

Results of Animal assisted therapy Animal assisted group Stress management group More Patients preferred the animal assisted group session Critique of research

Research Finding Study 2

Research Finding Study 3 Study 3 Animal-Assisted Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Literature Review  Purpose of the Article  Method  Selection results

Literature’s Goal Achievement A) Characteristics of AAI for ASD B) Evaluate the state of evidence base to recommend further research C) Summarize the reported outcomes of AAI for ASD

Conclusion A) Areas for improvement B) Comprehensive review suggest preliminary support

References Nepps, P., Stewart, C.N., Bruckno, S.R. (2014) Animal –assisted activity: Effects of a complementary intervention program on psychological and physiological variable. Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine. Vol 19 (3) The authors of this research article include a PsyD, a PhD, and BA. These individuals researched the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy vs a stress management program on a mental health unit in regards to depression, anxiety and pain. The article limited the research to one type of patient. The research would have been more effective had the participants been randomly selected. O'Haire, M. E. (2012, November 5). Animal-assisted intervention for autism spectrum disorder: a systematic literature review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(7), doi: /s The author of this article was a former research assistant and is currently completing a PhD on animal assisted intervention (AAI) for children with autism at The University of Queensland School of Psychology. This article conducts a comprehensive review of 14 studies relating to AAI. O'Haire, M. E. (2012, November 5). Overview of AAI Characteristics. Chart. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(7), doi: /s This table references the attributes of each study analyzed. Key features are easily identifiable in a table format. O'Haire, M. E. (2012, November 5). Summary of participants, study design, and outcomes. Chart. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(7), doi: /s This table presents the elements that comprise each reviewed study. A comparison of participants, design and outcome is displayed.