What is Animal Assisted Activities & Therapy (AAA/T)?
Definitions, Video Examples and Professional Resources
"One of the most fundamental advantages of animal assisted therapy 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." - Dr. Andrew Weil, World-renowned leader and pioneer in the field of integrative medicine and Pet Partners Advisory Board member.
Angel Paws is a Therapy Animal organization that provides Animal Assisted Activities & Therapy to various populations. Therapy Animals are differ from Service Animals as described below. If you are interested in more information about Service Animals please click HERE for more information and resources.
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SERVICE ANIMALS - Service Animals are legally defined (Americans With Disabilities Act, 1990) and are trained to meet the disability-related needs of their handlers who have disabilities. Federal laws protect the rights of individuals with disabilities to be accompanied by their service animals in public places. Service animals are not considered 'pets'. 'Social/therapy' Animals have no legal definition. They often are animals that did not complete service animal or service dog training due to health, disposition, trainability, or other factors, and are made available as pets for people who have disabilities. These animals might or might not meet the definition of service animals. Although Service or Assistance Animals are often confused with Therapy Animals Angel Paws does not work with nor possess expertise with Service Animals. Pet Partners, our International affiliate, does provide a plethora of Service Dog Information and Resources. Please click HERE for more information and resources with regards to Service or Assistance Animals.
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THERAPY ANIMALS - Therapy Animals are not legally defined by federal law, but some states have laws defining therapy animals. They provide people with contact to animals, but are not limited to working with people who have disabilities. They are usually the personal pets of their handlers, and work with their handlers to provide services to others. Federal laws have no provisions for people to be accompanied by therapy animals in places of public accommodation that have "no pets" policies. Therapy animals usually are not service animals.
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Animal Assisted Activities |
Animal Assisted Therapy |
"I have managed over 125 different health care facilities in 14 states and Angel Paws is different than any other pet therapy program I have experienced in that your volunteers are highly professional, start to finish. I believe that Angel Paws is a role model for anyone seeking true Animal Assisted Therapy in a health care setting." - John Hughes, Former Owner/Administrator, Flint Ridge Nursing & Rehabilitation
"This organization highly values the mutually beneficial relationship between volunteer, patient and pet, with a keen attention to safety,
sensitivity and effective interaction." - Dr. Richard R. Donnard, Chief of Staff, Medical Center of Newark; Medical Director, Hospice of Central Ohio & Autumn Health Care
"This organization highly values the mutually beneficial relationship between volunteer, patient and pet, with a keen attention to safety,
sensitivity and effective interaction." - Dr. Richard R. Donnard, Chief of Staff, Medical Center of Newark; Medical Director, Hospice of Central Ohio & Autumn Health Care
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As a registered Pet Partners affiliate organization Pet Partners (rigorously screened, trained & insured people/animal volunteer teams) are the lifeblood of Angel Paws. Angel Paws trains volunteers via the Pet Partners Handlers Workshop, Pet Partners Skills & Aptitude Test, Angel Paws Workshop, and 1-on-1 on-site training to safely and effectively provide visits to hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other places their assistance and companionship with their pet is requested. Volunteers and their pets are screened by Delta Society licensed Team Evaluators for appropriate skills and aptitude which determines the best setting for a team to visit. On-site training and mentoring following registration is also included in the Angel Paws training program. Pet Partners teams participate in both Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) and Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) visits (see examples of differences below). For more Introductory information and our next Introductory Orientation please click HERE. For more information about What is a Pet Partners Therapy Team? please click HERE. *NOTE: Library R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) programs are considered AAA while School R.E.A.D. programs are considered AAT. Even though teachers are not present during the 20 minute R.E.A.D. session as a Physical, Occupational, Speech or Psycho-therapist would be they are involved in setting individual student goals and tracking progress unlike a library program. Please click HERE for more information about our R.E.A.D. program.
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Groundbreaking Scientific Research Results Presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions Showing Scientifically Measured Benefits of Therapy Dog Visits in a UCLA Cardiac Care Unit
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VIDEO EXAMPLES of ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY (AAT)
"I don't think there is any better therapy for one's own soul than helping someone else achieve their goals."
- Lynn Malayter, Pet Partner AAT Handler
"I don't think there is any better therapy for one's own soul than helping someone else achieve their goals."
- Lynn Malayter, Pet Partner AAT Handler
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AAT OVERVIEW (PROGRAM EXAMPLE)
AAT for HEAD INJURY
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AAT for CEREBRAL PALSY
AAT for PARKINSONS'S
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STROKE SURVIVORS PERSPECTIVE
BOTH AAA & AAT
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Note: Pet Partners therapy animals are never allowed off leash without written consent from hospital administration.
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AAA vs. AAT Examples
Click on Image to Enlarge
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AAA vs. AAT Fact Sheet
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FOR MORE INFORMATION & PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES FOR ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY (AAT as opposed to AAA) PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING PET PARTNERS WEB PAGES:
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RECOMMENDED ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY (AAT) BOOKS:
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Related pages ...
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