Can Animals Help Humans Heal?
Animal-Assisted Interventions in Adolescent Mental Health
Sunday, March 28th, 2004
"The AAT Rx for youth: Bridging research with clinical insight" Aubrey H. Fine, Ed.D.
Abstract:
Over the past several decades, researchers from diverse backgrounds have
demonstrated how pets have a positive impact on their human guardians' quality
of life including physical health, social relations, and overall psychological
well-being. The literature reveals that companion animals act as social
supports for people in the areas of physical health (e.g., Freidmann, 1995)
and psychological health (Baston et al, 1998). Companion animals provide
numerous benefits to the emotional well being of humans including assisting
in facilitating social interactions between people and being helpful in
enhancing social relationships (Fine 2000; and Corson and Corson, 1980).
There have been several controlled studies documenting the correlation of
pet ownership and physical and social/emotional benefits. These findings
appear to act as the foundation for the efficacy of AAT, demonstrating that
the human-animal bond can have a tremendous impact on people. Although there
has been some strides in the concepts in animal-human relationships, there
continues to limited empirical support and limited research validating the
overall effectiveness of this psychotherapeutic intervention.
Siegel (1993) points out that although the utilization of animals may be
highly appealing, the evidence that a patient has enjoyed an interaction
with an animal does not imply that the procedure is therapeutic. Voelker
(1995) in a more recent article also noted that the biggest challenge facing
advocates of animal assisted therapy who claim that it improves outcomes
can be summed in two words: "Prove it" (p.1898). The lack of documentation
leaves a large void in the literature. Fine (2000) suggested a concentrated
stronger effort is needed in promoting more sound empirical investigations
demonstrating the therapeutic utility of animals in various clinical settings.
He suggested that the investigators may want to study what populations does
animal assisted therapy (AAT) appear to work with most effectively and under
what conditions are animal assisted activities (AAA) or AAT the most valuable.
Similarly, in an article prepared by Wilson and Turner (1998), they both
stress that practitioners must pay attention to the need for program evaluation
and documentation. These efforts will assist the scientific community with
the needed research priorities.
The presenter will divide the session into two major sections. Within the
first portion, the presenter will focus on some of the major findings on
the psycho-social benefits/ health benefits of companion animals. This research
will be used to highlight what the author believes are some of the major
foundations of why and how AAT can become a valuable intervention for youth
at-risk. The presenter, who is also a clinician will also explain strategies
of how AAT can be incorporated into a psychotherapist's clinical practice
as an adjunct with other clinical approaches.
Bio:
Dr. Aubrey Fine, a licensed psychologist is a native of Montreal, Canada and completed his graduate studies at the University of South Alabama and the University of Cincinnati. He presently is a Professor in the College of Education and Integrative Studies at the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
He has received numerous professional awards including the Educator of the Year presented by the California State Learning Disability Association. In the Spring of 2001 he was honored with The Wang Award, as the distinguished Professor of The California State Universities in the area of Educational, Professional and Applied Sciences for his exemplary contributions and achievements.
Dr. Fine has authored and edited several books as well as being an invited speaker
at numerous conferences. His lectures have focused on a broad range of child
mental health topics including the diagnosis and treatment of children with
attention and learning disorders, the implications of academic and social
failure, and helping children believe in themselves. Aubrey is passionately
interested in the impact of the human/animal bond and AAT. He is presently
writing a new book entitled "Afternoons with Puppy: A Therapist, His
Animals and Life Changes."
