Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Animals Assisted Activities (AAA) have
become significant adjuncts to traditional medicine and other therapies in
recent years. While most of us recognize the benefits and satisfaction of
owning a pet or of being with animals, the "organized" use of animals in
various settings has not always been recognized or even allowed. Four
years ago the Pet Care Trust, the U.S. Pet Industry's animal welfare and
education foundation, began to invest significant foundation resources in
a variety of programs that relate to companion animals in therapy, in
human-animal interaction and in education with animals in schools.
Animal therapy is nothing new. Nearly three thousand years ago the Greeks
recognized the healing benefits of dogs and other animals and the
Egyptians recognized many animals as gods with special healing powers.
Throughout the centuries in Europe, there were various references to the
beneficial and calming effect of animals for physically or mentally ill
patients in hospitals and asylums. During the last century in the United
States, animals were used in a few mental hospitals to help calm and focus
patients and with disturbed children to assist in psychotherapy. In the
mid-1900's, the use of animals to provide activities and companionship for
senior citizens in nursing homes and for inmates in prison was recognized
as a positive benefit for the health and welfare of these two groups.
Members of both of these groups displayed positive changes in attitude and
behavior. Seniors became more active and alert, more interested in life
and found reason for living through the love and affection of a dog, cat
or some other animal. Prisoner interaction with farm animals and pets
resulted in less violence among some inmates and there was less need for
restraint compared with those with no animal interaction.
In the late 1900's, the Dean of the Washington State University, School of
Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Leo Bustad, became a champion for the recognized
benefits of animal therapy through the human-animal bond. Dr, Bustad is
credited with being a significant leader in a movement which encouraged
the use of animals for AAT and AAA. Among his many accomplishments was the
establishment of the Delta Society that, along with many other groups, has
lead the advance of positive concepts using animals in a variety of
settings. Today, animals are included as "therapists" in a variety of
settings. Dogs, cats and many other companion animals are now involved as
visiting or resident animals in hospitals, long term care for senior
citizens, physical therapy units for physical disabilities and head
injuries, therapy for abused children, or as support for AIDS patients.
Many of the smaller companion animals are resident "teacher helpers" in
schools to teacher compassion and responsibility as well as science and
behavior.
Even with the recognized benefits of animal therapy and companionship,
there has been apprehension and resistance to animals entering
institutional settings such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools. While
many administrators recognize the benefits of animals as pets and
household companions, the introduction of animals in to public and private
facilities was often perceived as a risk. There was concern in may
quarters with the potential transmission of disease (zoonosis) or the
exposure of patients and students to allergic conditions. Equally
important is the concern for the risk of bites, scratches and other
traumatic injury and the legal liability that could result. Many doctors,
nursing home administrators and school superintendents found it difficult
to accept the anecdotal observations of the benefit of animals. They
needed quantified and scientifically derived evidence that the benefits
were really helping patients and that the risks could be mitigated.
Without documented evidence, it was difficult for those in charge to allow
the human-animal bond to flourish in the face of possible legal action,
acquired allergies and the threat of dog bites. To address the potential
negatives, may humane educators and AAT groups began to develop human and
animal safety standards and require animal personality screening and
animal handler training to reduce to chance of risk.
In 1997, the Pet Care Trust Board of Trustees recognized a need to provide
grants for special programs, education and research in the area of the
human-animal bond and animal assisted therapy/activities. Since that time
the Trust dedicated thousands of dollars, donated by pet industry
individuals, manufacturers, pet stores and associations to support the
advancement of the companion animals as partners in therapy, activities
and education in various settings. It is not possible in this article to
describe the specifics of each grant, but a brief synopsis of these
programs will provide evidence of the U.S. Pet Industry's commitment to
benefit companion animals and the lives of humans:
1997
$10,000 grant to the Providence Animals Rescue League to create an
animal education display in a Children's Museum. Over 300,000 visitors
to date;
$15,000 to Delta Society to develop a service dog education program
which has benefited shelter dogs and the disabled who have received
these trained dogs;
$5,000 to Purdue University School Veterinary Medicine that provides
care for animal victims of domestic violence and re-unites pets with
children and owners;
10,000 to Tufts University Conference " Pets in Human Health: Moving
Beyond Anecdote", to encourage quantification and verification of pet
therapy benefits;
1998
$10,000 to Purdue Univ. School of Education to quantify the use and
value of small animals as residents in schools to help teach a variety
of lessons at all grade levels;
1999
$30,000 to Washington State Univ. "People-Pet Partnership" to study the
value of dogs interacting with autistic children and create a practical
therapy program;
$23,000 to St. Peters Hospital, Olympia, WA to develop a "how to" manual
to be circulated throughout No. America to assist hospital creation of
safe AAT programs;
2000
$25,000 to Shenandoah Univ. Occupational Therapy Dept. to create and
test a college curriculum for therapists using trained dogs for
rehabilitation of hospitalized patients;
2001
$13,000 to Eden Alternative to develop animal welfare standards for
resident animals in over 200 long term care homes for senior citizens
throughout North America;
$19,000 to Purdue Univ. School of Nursing: aquariums as therapy for
Alzheimers patients to encourage appetite and to reduce stress and
frustration in hospitals;
$50,000 to ULCA Medical Center. A 2 yr. Scientific study to quantify the
physical & psychological effects of introducing animals to patients in
cardiac intensive care;
$10,500 to Inner Harbour Hospital, Atlanta, to determine the most
effective AAT for various seriously abused, low IQ and disturbed
children as young as 8 yrs of age.
All of the programs listed were originally submitted to the Pet Care Trust
as grant applications in a yearlong competitive process. Numerous grants
are received each year for consideration, but only a few can be awarded.
The Board of Trustees volunteer their time to review grants, to contact
and interview the candidates and award 5-8 grants each year. All of these
projects fit the criteria of enhancing the human-animal bond and companion
animal benefits to humans and society. The outcomes of each of these
projects and programs are designed to benefits children, adults and animal
welfare in a variety of settings where animals live and work. The Pet Care
Trust believes that investment in these worthy projects will continue to
help animals and humans of all ages. The Trust will continue to make
significant contributions to animals, owners and communities for the
benefit of all involved.
The Pet Care Trust is seeking donations and contributions to help support
the annual grants program and the "Animals in the Classroom" Teacher
education programs. Nearly 750 teachers have attended full-day workshops
in the last three years. If you would like to learn more about companion
animal programs supported by the Pet Care Trust, visit the website
www.petcaretrust.org.
