Animal Assisted Therapy for Special Needs Children

As another year of the program is coming to an end, it is good time to look back on the basis of the Program.

AAT uses trained animals to enhance an individual's physical, emotional and social well-being, thus improving self-esteem, reducing anxiety and facilitating healing. One of the techniques used often during this type of therapy is allowing the patient to identify with the animal in order to reveal the unconscious content of the patient’s psyche, thus alleviating tension. One way that this can happen is through projection of the child’s feelings onto the behavior of the animal.

For example, in one of our recent sessions, the children were introduced to a rabbit with her young. One child asked “Why is the mother not taking care of her babies?” Another child replied, “Because the babies were bad.” Yet another child replied, “Because she doesn’t have time for them.” These types of interactions are indicative of guilt and neglect – issues that are often very difficult to identify so quickly in a regular therapeutic setting.

Research has demonstrated that animals have a calming effect, reducing blood pressure and anxiety. They tend to make people less lonely and bring out positive social characteristics. Research in seniors has shown that those who own a dog have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels than those who do not. Animals can also be a pleasant distraction for those experiencing uncomfortable medical procedures.

Many hospitals and nursing homes use AAT programs to help reduce feelings of depression and isolation in their patients as well as stimulating mental activity through interaction with the animal. Animals can be useful for educational and motivational effectiveness for participants. A therapist with a pet may be viewed as being less threatening, increasing the rapport between patient and therapist.

Because animals are non-judgmental, they are perceived by children and those with deformities or disfigurements as comforting and easier to socialize with (versus people), which in turn raises self-esteem and makes self-expression easier. 

One of the most fundamental advantages of AAT over other therapeutic modalities is that it provides the patient a much-needed opportunity to give affection as well as receive it. It is this reciprocity - rare among medical therapies - that makes AAT a unique and valuable route to healing. The love between a human being and a pet is unconditional. Personal bonds are built over time and the children come in asking after the animals they have grown to love.

We are pleased that after two years of disruption caused by the cxovid-19 pandemic, the Program is finally returning to normal and we will share the end of year numbers in our next update.