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Why Is AAT and AAA So Important to the Pet Industry?
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
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.
John Pitts, DVM, Program Coordinator jlpitts@olympus.net June 6, 2001
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;
- $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;
- $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;
- $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;
- $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.
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.
John Pitts, DVM, Program Coordinator jlpitts@olympus.net June 6, 2001
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The Pet Care Trust (PCT) Non-Profit Foundation since 1990 The Southern Building, 805 15th Street, 9th Floor Washington, DC 20005 |
Pet Care Trust Office Contact
Debbie Mazur, Administration 406 S 1st Avenue Arcadia, CA 91006-3829 Tel: 626-566-2293, Fax: 626-447-8350 Email: petcaretrust@aol.com |