Demonstrating the
Efficacy of AnimalAssisted Therapy
Presented by: Katherine Brown, Lindsey
Swanson & Dr. Chrisann Schiro-Geist
Key Terms
 Human/Animal Bond
 Animal-Assisted Activities
 Animal-Assisted Therapy
Theoretical Background
 Biochemical Theories
 Learning Theories
 Social Cognitive Theories
 Social Theories
*Attachment Theory*
Previous Efforts
 Early and Anecdotal
Accounts
- Quakers and the York Retreat
- Rehab for WWI veterans
- Dr. Boris Levinson
 Empirical Studies
- Friedmann, Katcher, Lynn,
& Thomas (1980)
- Studies with a Focus on
Developmental Disabilities
Current Study
 Purpose:
To examine the impact of
animal assisted therapy on
overall functioning in
adults with intellectual
disabilities
 Hypothesis:
Participants engaging in
specific therapeutic
interventions with a live
therapy animal will
improve on the
behavioral domains
above and beyond that
of participants receiving
extra therapeutic time
with a human caretaker.
Methods - Participants
 20 adults
 13 female, 7 male
 age range: 17-50 years, Mage = 26.95,
SD = 9.87
 All participants diagnosed with an
intellectual disability to some degree
Methods - Measures
 Measurement of Pet Intervention (MOPI;
Schiro-Geist, 2001)
 Eight questions assessing 4 behavioral
dimensions:
 Attention span
 Physical movement
 Communication
 Compliance
 Two components: general level/quality &
time/frequency
 Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.94 - 0.95
Methods - Procedures
 Staff members completed 2 MOPIs for all
participants, one prior to intervention and one
post-intervention
 Three groups were developed: 2 intervention
groups and 1 control group
- Modification: 2 groups after 6 weeks
 The intervention was conducted for 20 minute
sessions, twice weekly for eight weeks
Intervention
 8-week manualized AAT program
Week 1:
 Therapeutic goals- Rapport-building; Play
 Day 1 Activities- Petting; Ring Around the Rosy
 Day 2 Activities- Petting; Object Toss
Week 2:
 Therapeutic goals- Pet Care; Grooming
 Day 1 Activities- Brush + Treat
 Day 2 Activities- Walk Preparation
Intervention
Week 3:
 Therapeutic Goals- Language; Commands
 Day 1 Activities- Basic Dog Commands
 Day 2 Activities- Play Tambourine
Week 4:
 Therapeutic Goals- Safety; Etiquette
 Day 1 Activities- Walk Outdoors
 Day 2 Activities- Encounter Others
Data Analysis & Results
 Correlations were inconclusive
 MANOVA – both groups improved over time
with no significant differences between
groups
 Results show no adverse effects on
participants
 Anecdotal reports
Limitations & Implications
 Limitations
 Inconsistency of attendance
 Difficulty in providing a manualized program within a
dynamic summer program
 Difficulty in keeping treatment and control groups separated
 Implications
 The use of AAT for adults with intellectual disabilities may be
an alternative and effective form of treatment
References
Chandler, C. K. (2012). Animal assisted therapy in
counseling (2nd ed.). New York: Routledge.
Fine, A. H. (2010). Handbook on animal-assisted
therapy: Theoretical foundations and guidelines for
practice (3rd ed.). Boston: Academic Press.
Friedmann, E., Katcher, A. H., Lynch, J. J., & Thomas,
S. A. (1980). Animal companions and one-year
survival of patients after discharge from a
coronary care unit. Public Health Reports, 95,
307-312.
References
Hooker, S. D., Freeman, L. H., & Stewart, P. (2002). Pet
therapy research: A historical review.
Holistic Nursing
Practice, 17, 17-23.
Martin, F., & Farnum, J. (2002). Animal-assisted
therapy for children with pervasive
developmental disorders. Western Journal of
Nursing Research, 24, 657-670.
Heimlich, K. (2001). Animal-assisted therapy and the
severely-disabled child: A quantitative study.
Journal of Rehabilitation, 67, 48-54.
References
Lind, N. 2009. Animal assisted therapy activities to
motivate and inspire. Lombard, IL: PYOW
Publishing, Ink.
Nimer, J., & Lundahl, B. (2007). Animal-assisted
therapy: A meta-analysis. Anthrozoos, 20,
225-238. Retrieved September 16, 2008, from the
Academic OneFile database.
Questions?