Lesson 1 - AAI
2023-10-10
Theory of Felinotherapy I
NCHK Internet course
Lesson 1 - Terminology in zootherapy, brief history of the incorporation of animals into zootherapy
The term zootherapy or zoorehabilitation has been adopted in the Czech Republic for work with animals in the field of rehabilitation, psychosocial support, activation, education and other activities with an activation or therapeutic aim
In the USA, the term Animal Assisted Interventions is the parent term. Under this term we include :
AAA - Animal Assisted Activities. Activation methods that can be carried out by a trained volunteer with an animal of appropriate characteristics.
The presence of the animal is used to improve the client's quality of life, promote natural development and social skills. The range of activities and target groups where AAA can be used is very wide. Target facilities may include state and non-state facilities, especially school and out-of-school facilities, senior citizens' homes, day care centres, facilities for the mentally or physically handicapped, correctional facilities, etc.
AAT - Animal Assisted Therapy. Therapeutic use of the presence of an animal or animals. Performed by a trained professional with their own animal or in conjunction with a handler and their animal. The possibilities of use are wide, for example in health or social care facilities, psychological counselling centres, psychiatric facilities, rehabilitation facilities, etc.
AAE - Animal Assisted Education. The presence of an animal, whether natural or deliberately induced, is used in this area for educational and training purposes or to improve the social skills of participants. A pedagogical expert is present in the implementation team. This form may include the specific use of the presence of animals in theatrical performances aimed at educating children and broadening and deepening their intellectual, linguistic and motor skills. It has applications in work with children and adolescents as well as in work with adults. A specific form of AAE is the educational work of zoos and mini-zoos and zoos. It may also include education carried out by various breeders' organisations or associations, or by shelters and rescue stations for different species.
AAPT / AAPA - Animal Assisted Play Therapy / Animal Assisted Play Activities -
Animal Assisted Play Activities is part of zoo rehabilitation, specifically Animal Assisted Activities. It is an activation method that is a symbiosis of activities with the support and presence of animals, elements of special education and play therapy/activation. Animals, under the guidance of trained handlers, voluntarily interact with clients and participate in joint play activities. Handlers and their animals are tested on teamwork, character traits and are trained in, among other things, the basics of effective and non-violent communication, the specifics of the client group they work with, special education, play therapy, ethology and training methods for behavior modification, husbandry, welfare and veterinary issues of the type of animal they work with.
AAPA's goal is to activate clients of all ages. The guiding principle is to ensure the safety of all involved - i.e. client/clients, staff, animal, handler and any other participants in the AAPA meeting. Ensuring that the animal voluntarily participates in the activity, ensuring its welfare and all related needs is essential. Play activation is an essential part of this process.
When training with animals we use operant conditioning, especially positive and negative reinforcement, avoiding the use of any type of punishment or coercion. We use elements of clicker training.
A great advantage is the possibility of activating all senses in the concept of basal stimulation.
AAPT is performed by a therapist, so the same rules apply as for AAT.
AACR - Animal Assisted Crisis Response. It is the use of natural human-animal contact in the immediate aftermath of a crisis situation or even during it. Animal-assisted intervention is aimed at relieving stress and improving the overall psychological or physical state of the participant. The intervention is carried out by a trained professional. It can be used during natural disasters, terrorist attacks, but also for people who find themselves in an acute traumatic situation - e.g. after a mass car or other accident, for victims of crime, etc. Its use is wide, but it is not yet widespread in the Czech Republic.
The different sub-areas of AAI often overlap.
Contraindications
Contraindications for any form of zoo-rehabilitation activity are assessed by a specialist (most often a doctor, psychologist, physiotherapist, speech therapist, etc.). Reasons for exclusion from zoo-rehabilitation can be e.g. allergy, animal rejection, animal phobia, physical incapacity, team mismatch (client x handler x expert x animal). The individuality of the client must always be taken into account.
Differences between AAA and AAT
Animal-assisted activities are a less formal process than animal-assisted therapy. In order to talk about therapy, all three of the following points must be met simultaneously:
Animal-assisted therapy has clearly stated goals. There is always a specific aim, for example, to improve social skills, to promote and develop motor skills, verbal skills, to strengthen attention, etc. Each visit or encounter with an animal should lead to the achievement of one or more of the stated goals. If these goals are not defined, animal-assisted therapy cannot be discussed.
Animal-assisted therapy is documented. Each encounter is documented and attached to the client's file, noting the specific content of the encounter and progress.
Animal-assisted therapy is conducted by a professional in the field (health, education, social, etc.). The professional may therefore be - depending on the aim of the therapy - a doctor, occupational therapist, music therapist, physiotherapist, leisure specialist, teacher, psychologist, etc. The animal can be guided by this expert or by an expert handler who is part of the team.
Thus, in order to talk about animal-assisted therapy, the expert must use the animal as part of his or her own specialisation.
History of animal-assisted therapy and assistance activities
Animals in therapy before 1960
Animals are believed to have been used for similar purposes long before the new field of humane-animal interventions was created. As early as the 9th century, a civic care programme for disabled people using animals was established in Geel (Belgium).
At the end of the 18th century, a social, therapeutic institution was founded in England where the main objective of the members of the Christian society was to supervise the mistreatment of patients in mental hospitals and lunatic asylums. Instead of violent methods and medication, the emphasis was on kind treatment, understanding and acts of trust. Contact with animals such as rabbits and poultry was also part of this approach.
In the late 19th century, a home was established in Germany - originally for epileptics - where birds, cats, dogs, horses, farm animals and park animals were used. One of the aims was to supply the patients with the opportunity to larn self-control through animal care ( Bustad, Hines, 1984 ) .
Animal-assisted psychotherapy from 1960 to 1989
The American psychiatrist, Dr. Boris M. Levinson ( 1908 - 1984 ) is considered to be the pioneer of the field of animal-assisted psychotherapy. He considered the dog as a helper in therapeutic procedures applied to children with communication disorders ("The dog as co-therapist", 1962).
The main aim was :
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To establish a safe contact between human and animal before therapy begins.
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To allow the animal to play the role of a bridging object (mediator) between disturbed communication and normal (standard) communication.
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Using animals to overcome certain psychological barriers.
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Employing humans in such a way that they remain active and do not succumb to convenience.
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Using animals as companion beings that can be touched, pampered and experienced with feelings of security and safety, etc.
