Baumgardner 1

Payton Baumgardner
Mrs. DeBock
English 4 Honors
4 March 2015
Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)
Animal assisted therapy is defined as therapy that utilizes an animal, mainly a dog or cat,
to improve the overall health of an individual. AAT was first founded in the late 1700s and early
1800s by several nurses around the world when they realized how animals, mostly small pets at
the time, proved to reduce anxiety in children and adults living in psychiatric institutions (ZilchaMano 542). Animal assisted therapy helps patients with several illnesses and diseases not only
psychologically but also emotionally and physically; this new study has shown how animals can
calm patients, provide emotional stability, and there have been several cases where individuals
have bounced back from muscle spasticity.
Firstly, several people may ask how animal assisted therapy works. Not just any animal is
selected for animal assisted therapy, the animals go through a specific courses of training to
become certified for AAT. The animals consist of mostly dogs, however, cats are a part of AAT as
well. Once the patient spends more time with the animal, a bond begins to form. The psychiatric
part of AAT deals with how building a bond with a specific animal can help improve their social
skills and/or behavior (Engelman 65). According to Reed in Natural Healers: a Review of
Animal Assisted Therapy and Activities as Complementary Treatment for Chronic Conditions,
The use of animal assisted therapy has been demonstrated to have positive social effects on
children with social disorders and disabilities. For example, regular interaction with trained
therapy dogs has been confirmed to increase positive social behaviors such as sensitivity and

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focus, and decrease negative behaviors in children with disabilities. Research suggests that this
interaction may increase children's ability to concentrate, utilize learned communication skills,
and increase social awareness, promoting desirable social skills among children who may
otherwise have difficulty attaining them. The psychiatric portion of AAT proves sufficient
benefits to individuals with impaired mental abilities.
Secondly, animal assisted therapy partakes in helping children, adolescents, and adults of
all ages cope with any emotional traumatization that is bothering them. The bond a person can
build with an animal is almost similar to how we form bonds with other people. We begin to trust
that animal as well as start to depend on them for comfort. Specifically stated in Bereks article
Animal-Assisted Therapy stroking an animal has a calming effect, and the animal can also
serve as a nonjudgmental and nonthreatening companion. Patients benefiting from AAT include
but are not limited to: children who have experienced neglect or sexual abuse, soldiers suffering
from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), persons mourning the loss of a loved one, and those
suffering the trauma of having a parent,spouse, or significant other on active military duty. These
examples serve as a fundamental explanation on how animal assisted therapy helps individuals
emotionally. Not to mention, AAT is also highly beneficial among children undergoing cancer
treatment, helping them deal with isolation, uncertainty, fear, and depression (Berek). The
provided information clearly represents how animal assisted therapy comes to aid individuals
who need emotional stability.
Lastly, animal assisted therapy has had multiple records of helping patients gain back
control of their muscles after a traumatization by decreasing pain and stress levels. Studies show
that patients who see a therapy dog at least twice a week had significantly lower pain levels and
lower stress hormones (Marcus 44) . When patients yield less pain and stress, they make faster

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progress towards recovery. Doctors are seeking to use AAT in hospitals and healthcare facilities
notably more in the next few years. Marcus additionally reported in Impact of Animal-Assisted
Therapy for Outpatients with Fibromyalgia, in the current study experienced significant
improvements in pain and distress following a brief therapy dog visit. Overall, pain severity was
significantly reduced after a brief therapy dog visit, with clinically meaningful pain relief.
Likewise, this displays how animal assisted therapy helps patients with physical trauma by
reducing pain levels tremendously and decreasing stress levels that have the potential to diminish
overall healing.
All in all, animal assisted therapy not only helps patients with psychological issues but
also emotional and physical problems as well. AAT has proven to have almost nothing but
beneficial effects on individuals who have consented to animal assisted therapy. This study has a
projected increasing rate in its use for hospitals and healthcare facilities in the future. There is no
denying the positive impacts of animal assisted therapy!

Works Cited
Berek, Daniel L., MAT. "Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)." Salem Press Encyclopedia (2013):
Research Starters. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.

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Engelman, Suzanne R. "Palliative Care And Use Of Animal-Assisted Therapy." Omega: Journal
Of Death & Dying 67.1/2 (2013): 63-67. Professional Development Collection. Web. 2
Mar. 2015.

Marcus, Dawn A., et al. "Impact Of Animal-Assisted Therapy For Outpatients With
Fibromyalgia." Pain Medicine 14.1 (2013): 43-51. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2
Mar. 2015.

Reed, Reiley, Lilian Ferrer, and Natalia Villegas. "Natural Healers: A Review Of Animal
Assisted Therapy And Activities As Complementary Treatment For Chronic
Conditions." Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem (RLAE) 20.3 (2012): 612-618.
Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 Mar. 2015.

Zilcha-Mano, Sigal, Mario Mikulincer, and Phillip R. Shaver. "Pet In The Therapy Room: An
Attachment Perspective On Animal-Assisted Therapy." Attachment & Human
Development 13.6 (2011): 541. Advanced Placement Source. Web. 2 March. 2015.