Animal Assisted Therapy boasts many proven benefits, just ask our clients who have had the pleasure of working with our very own Therapy Assistance dog, Willow.

Willow is our very gentle and playful Golden Retriever cross Labrador. She is very new to her Therapy assistant role but has already made a large impact in the lives of the clients that she works with. 

Willow loves pats, chasing the ball, showing off her tricks, or just laying down by your side while you work. Occasionally she will go for walks with her harness to help individuals with rigid movements associated with catatonia, or to assist to reduce anxiety in the community. Willow is very clever and aware of the needs of the clients she is working with so will acknowledge what her needs are for changing circumstances.

Willow recently celebrated her 3rd Birthday on the 18th March – Happy Birthday Willow!

What is animal assisted therapy?

Animal Assisted therapy has many benefits for both children and adults with almost any kind of disability, mental illness, chronic illness and for those with autism spectrum disorder. Animal assisted therapy is based upon building a bond with an animal through interaction and play and providing the patient with the emotional support that only an animal can offer.

Therapy animals come in all different shapes and sizes , although most common are horses, cats and dogs, while some people choose fish, guinea pigs and even dolphins. 

Dogs are the most commonly used type of therapy animal because of their intuitive and enthusiastic bonding with humans. Therapy dogs provide measurable physiological health benefits. Extensive research strongly indicates that working with therapy dogs offers psychological advantages. Therapy animals are unique from service animals and emotional support animals in that their role is not to serve their handlers, but to give attention and affection to all people. 

An Occupational Therapist can help children and adults live more independently and improve their capacity to learn, play and improve skills that are impacting on their success in everyday activities. One-on-one Occupational Therapy sessions are the most common ways to help with development delays and skill development.

Sessions are typically held in our Bacchus Marsh clinic, or in some cases at your home or in the community (school, kindergarten). During one-on-one sessions, your OT will work with you on specific goals through a range of activities and each session is tailored to each individual’s needs and interests.

What are the benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy?

Developing a bond with an animal can promote self-esteem, self-worth, and trust. Research shows that the use of animals during therapy can  offer several benefits, such as increased feelings of self-efficacy and improved self-esteem, lower levels of anxiety and depression [1]. 

Animal-assisted therapy can also teach empathy and appropriate interpersonal skills, help individuals develop social skills, be soothing and the presence of animals can more quickly build rapport between the professional and client, and improve individual’s skills to pick up social cues imperative to human relationships [2].

Based on an observational study that was conducted in patients with mild learning disabilities. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was completed by participants with the therapist, before and after two 30-min therapeutic sessions, one in the presence of a dog and the other with only the therapist. The study found that animal-assisted therapy was associated with reduced state anxiety levels for patients with learning disabilities [3].

Research has also shown that Animal Assisted therapy provides the following benefits:

• Improved fine motor skills, strength and balance
• Reducing experience of loneliness and isolation
• Reduced risk of a heart attack or stroke
• Improved interpersonal and communication skills
• Improved sense of purpose and motivation

Where can animal therapy take place?

The beauty of Animal Assisted therapy is that it can take place almost anywhere and in any setting including hospitals, schools, and homes. Animal-assisted therapy is a complex treatment that involves more than just spending time with an animal and should be followed up with a treatment plan and a set of goals as determined by an experienced professional.