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From Wikipedia.com
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a type of therapy that involves an animal with specific characteristics
becoming a fundamental part of a person's treatment. Animal-assisted therapy is designed to improve the
physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning of the patient, as well as provide educational and
motivational effectiveness for participants[citation needed]. AAT can be provided on an individual or group
basis. During AAT, therapists document records and evaluate the participant's progress.
Benefits
People who have pets benefit in various ways, for example, the comfort of physical contact with animals,
reducing loneliness, and increased opportunities for meeting others, via the pets. In addition, caring for
pets encourages nurturance, responsibility, and adherence to a daily schedule.
Physical
Improve fine motor skills.
Improve wheelchair skills.
Improve standing equilibrioception (balance).
May lower blood pressure, risk for stroke or heartattack, and decrease depression.
Mental
A 2007 meta-analysis found that animal-assisted therapy is associated with moderate effect sizes in
improving outcomes in autism spectrum symptoms, medical difficulties, behavioral problems, and emotional
well-being.[2]
Increase verbal interactions between group members.
Increase attention skills (i.e., paying attention, staying on task).
Develop leisure/recreation skills.
Increase self-esteem.
Reduce anxiety.
Reduce loneliness.
Educational
Increase vocabulary.[citation needed]
Aid in long- or short-term memory.[citation needed]
Improve knowledge of concepts, such as size, color, etc.[citation needed]
Motivational
Improve willingness to be involved in a group activity.[citation needed]
Improve interactions with others.[citation needed]
Improve interactions with staff.[citation needed]
Criticism
Researchers at Emory University have concluded that Dolphin Assisted Therapy is "...a dangerous fad."
and lacks any real efficacy. Furthermore, the practice of capturing dolphins can leave more injured or even
dead.[3]
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a type of therapy that involves an animal with specific characteristics
becoming a fundamental part of a person's treatment. Animal-assisted therapy is designed to improve the
physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning of the patient, as well as provide educational and
motivational effectiveness for participants[citation needed]. AAT can be provided on an individual or group
basis. During AAT, therapists document records and evaluate the participant's progress.
Benefits
People who have pets benefit in various ways, for example, the comfort of physical contact with animals,
reducing loneliness, and increased opportunities for meeting others, via the pets. In addition, caring for
pets encourages nurturance, responsibility, and adherence to a daily schedule.
Physical
Improve fine motor skills.
Improve wheelchair skills.
Improve standing equilibrioception (balance).
May lower blood pressure, risk for stroke or heartattack, and decrease depression.
Mental
A 2007 meta-analysis found that animal-assisted therapy is associated with moderate effect sizes in
improving outcomes in autism spectrum symptoms, medical difficulties, behavioral problems, and emotional
well-being.[2]
Increase verbal interactions between group members.
Increase attention skills (i.e., paying attention, staying on task).
Develop leisure/recreation skills.
Increase self-esteem.
Reduce anxiety.
Reduce loneliness.
Educational
Increase vocabulary.[citation needed]
Aid in long- or short-term memory.[citation needed]
Improve knowledge of concepts, such as size, color, etc.[citation needed]
Motivational
Improve willingness to be involved in a group activity.[citation needed]
Improve interactions with others.[citation needed]
Improve interactions with staff.[citation needed]
Criticism
Researchers at Emory University have concluded that Dolphin Assisted Therapy is "...a dangerous fad."
and lacks any real efficacy. Furthermore, the practice of capturing dolphins can leave more injured or even
dead.[3]