Improving Mental Health Through Animal-Assisted Therapy - Angelfire

268 Pages·2003·1.32 MB·English

by  Liana Urichuk

Improving Mental
Health Through
Animal-Assisted
Therapy

Liana Urichuk with Dennis Anderson
Copyright © 2003 by The Chimo Project

All Rights Reserved.
The authors hereby grant permission to reproduce this
publication in part or in whole for non-commercial purposes,
only.

Inquiries about The Chimo Project can be mailed to:

The Chimo Project
Suite 200A-10140-117 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T5K 1X3
CANADA

Or emailed to:
[email protected] or [email protected]

Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data:

Urichuk, Liana J. (Liana Joanne), 1969-
Improving mental health through animal-assisted
therapy/Liana J. Urichuk with Dennis Anderson.

Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 0-9732944-0-X

1. Animals -- Therapeutic use. 2. Pets -- Therapeutic use.
3. Mental illness -- Treatment. I. Anderson, Dennis
(Dennis L.), 1949- II. Chimo Project. III. Title.

RC489.P47U74 2003 616.89’165 C2003-910710-8
Improving Mental Health
Through Animal-Assisted
Therapy

Liana J. Urichuk, BSc, PhD

with

Dennis Anderson
Dedication

This manual is dedicated to my friend of friends
“Chimo” who taught me of unqualified love, and to
all other animal friends who have selflessly
provided comfort, compassion, and unparalleled
commitment to humans. This dedication is
generally without measure of our right to such gifts
or of our own commitment to reciprocate.

It is this affection that has given me the ability to
survive, with relative sanity, in an often difficult
world. The healing power of this unqualified love
has been the inspiration for this manual and the
project that produced it. May this book bring the
healing power of an animal's love to those who
need it to better handle an increasingly complex
world. May this manual also give us a better
appreciation for those creatures with whom we
share the earth.

Dennis Anderson
Acknowledgements xii
Preface xiv

1
CHAPTER
Introduction to Animal-
Assisted Therapy

1.0 Chimo Project Overview
1.1 The Human-Animal Bond
1.2 The History of Animal-Assisted
Therapy

1.3 Anecdotal and/or Case Studies of
Animal-Assisted Therapy
1.4 Experimental Studies of Animal-
Assisted Therapy
1.5 Current Use of Animal-Assisted
Therapy
1.6 References

2
CHAPTER
Approaches to Incorporating
Animals Into Mental Health
Therapy Interventions

2.1 Goals and Strategies
2.1.1 Rapport/Relationship
Building
2.1.2 Bonding
2.1.3 A Catalyst for Emotion
2.1.4 Empathy
2.1.5 Self-Esteem Building
2.1.6 A Catalyst for
Nurturing/Giving
2.1.7 Enhancing Personal Growth
and Development
2.1.8 Providing a Sense of Control
2.1.9 Reducing Abusive Behaviors
or Tendencies
2.1.10 Psychological Benefits
2.2 Valuable Roles Animals Can Play in
Therapy
2.2.1 Assessment Tool
2.2.2 Projective Tool
2.2.3 Tool for Storytelling and
Metaphor
2.2.4 Role Modeling Tool
2.2.5 Teaching Tool
2.3 Alternative Ways to Utilize the Human-
Animal Bond
2.3.1 Have an Animal Present
2.3.2 Use the Person's Relationship
With Their Own Pet
2.4 Summary
2.5 References

3
CHAPTER
Guidance for Implementing Animal-
Assisted Therapy Programs

3.0 Standards for Animal Selection
3.1.1 Problem or Unacceptable
Behaviors
3.1.2 Age and Health Status
3.1.3 Socialization
3.2 Guidelines for Training and Orientation
3.2.1 Training in AAT Techniques
3.2.2 Administrative Support and
Policy Development
3.2.3 Program Planning and
Design
3.3 Liability Issues
3.3.1 Non-Profit Organizations
3.3.2 Homeowner's and Renter's
Insurance
3.3.3 Professional Liability
Insurance
3.4 The Chimo Project and the Future
3.5 Selected AAT Training Courses and/or
Degree Programs
3.6 References

4
CHAPTER
Monitoring and Evaluating Animal-
Assisted Therapy Programs

4.1 Performance Indicators
4.2 Outcome Measures
4.3 Efficacy
4.4 Testimonials as Outcome Measures
4.5 Safety
4.5.1 Stress
4.5.2 Health and Infection Control
4.5.3 Preventing Accidents and
Injuries
4.6 Ethical Issues
4.6.1 Animal Welfare
4.6.2 Animal Abuse
4.7 References
5
CHAPTER
Experimental Research Studies
on Animal-Assisted Therapy

5.1 Experimental Studies of Animal-
Assisted Therapy
5.1.1 Ownership
5.1.2 Visitation Within the Home
5.1.3 Visitation in Institutional
Settings
5.2 Summary of Experimental Studies
5.3 References

APPENDICES

Appendix A
Canadian Canine Good Citizen Test

Appendix B
Canine Aptitude Test

Appendix C
Therapist Evaluation Questionnaires

Appendix D
Client Evaluation Questionnaires

Appendix E
Summary of Goals and Strategies for AAT in
Mental Health Settings
Acknowledgements

There are not many times when your vision is so
understood, so shared, that the end result is a
product that is better than you imagined. This
manual was my vision, but it is the work of the very
qualified, capable, and committed Dr. Liana
Urichuk, Chimo Project Coordinator. I will
forever be grateful for her commitment to the
Chimo Project and for her exceptional competence,
which surpassed any expectations of her job
responsibilities.

I also wish to thank those others who worked with
the Chimo Project and have been dedicated to its
concept: Dr. Bonnie Dobbs, the Project Evaluator,
who not only provided research for the manual, but
also moral support; and to Sylvia Imbeault,
Sherryl Husereau, and Anne Nield who have
provided dedicated administrative assistance.

The therapists and volunteers who have worked
on the project, many of whom are contributors to
the manual, deserve a great deal of credit for the
success of this project. They have seen the results
that are possible and they are proof that this manual
is much more than fiction.

Without the support of the Canadian Mental
Health Association and Bosco Homes the project
would have had difficulty proceeding. They have
our thanks.

The involvement of the Chimo Project volunteer
advisory committee, the Edmonton SPCA, and the
Pet Therapy Society of Northern Alberta are
gratefully acknowledged.

Last and definitely not least, we must thank
profusely the Health Innovation Fund, an initiative
of Alberta Health and Wellness, who believed in the
vision and funded the project. In particular, we wish
to acknowledge Blair MacKinnon and his co-
workers for being the most helpful and cooperative
funding agency staff that anyone could ask for. This
made a world of difference in the making of the
project and this manual.

Dennis Anderson