2. Pet Therapy also called Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is
a therapy technique that uses animals to help people
take their mind off their sickness or problem
Dogs and Cats are the most common animals used, but
fish, horses, birds, & guinea pigs can be used if they
pass the screening process
The animal chosen depends on the goal of the patient
and what it is they need to make progress in their
treatment
All interactions and progress made is recorded
This therapy is used to help build the human-animal
bond that is preexisting in most people. It can help with
human, physical, social, emotional, and cognitive
function
The nursing home was the first setting for this therapy
3. Gives moderate willingness to exercise
Improve fine motor skills
Increase self-esteem
Improve assisted or independent
movement
Increase verbal communication
Decrease anxiety or loneliness
Develop social skills
Increase willingness to join activities
Improve interaction with others
4. Selection of a good animal for the therapy
Physical exam of the animal to ensure no
illness
Obedience training and ensuring control of
the animal
Trainer needs to be trained on proper
patient interaction
Evaluation of the animals temperament
and behavior with the handler
Certification of training
5. Patients undergoing chemotherapy
Mental health patients
Patients hospitalized with chronic failure
Children having physical dental procedures
Veteran with post traumatic stress disorder
Stroke victims and physical therapy patients
Regaining motor skills
Residents in Long Term Care Facilities
6. Reduces pain, anxiety, depression, and fatigue
Improves physiological state, decreases heart
rate and blood pressure
Increases physical contact opportunities
Increases mental stimulation
Increase relationship between patient and
health care workers
Improves outward focus
Acquires empathetic and nurturing skills
7. The elderly are known to become lonely,
depressed, have lack of energy and lack of
socializing
A study done at University of Missouri-Columbia
showed that after a few minutes of petting a dog it
released “feel good” hormones like serotonin,
prolactin, and oxytocin and lowers the stress
hormone cortisol
Fish tanks were also used with patients with
Alzheimer's to help stimulate the mind of the
patient and bring patients to the present
Canaries were also used in the elderly population
of Italy with showed an increase quality of life
8. It is shown that pet therapy lowers heart attack
risks and encourages patients to walk more
Elderly in nursing homes and pet therapy are
associated with a reduction in medications,
improved vital signs, and improved physical
functioning
Elderly that take part in this therapy showed a
reduction in agitated behaviors, reduce their
depression and loneliness, increase their overall
well being, social skills, and their nutritional intake
Pets increase the survival rate of heart attack
victims it showed that 28% of people who suffered
a major heart attack survived verses the 6% that
did not have one
9. Studies have shown that the elderly that
have pets visit the physician 21% less
than the elderly that either do not have a
pet or are not involved in pet therapy
The elderly that own pets can better cope
with loss or major life events without
medical interaction
Pets in the nursing homes increase social
interaction
10. Patient with allergies can have a reaction
depending on the pet used
Mishandling of the pet can lead to injury
to the pet
Patients that do not understand it is not
their dog or animal to keep may get upset
and angry
If an animal would die it could lead to
guilt or increase risk for depression
because of the loss
