Animal-assisted therapy for persons with aphasia: A pilot study

Abstract

Abstract-This study explored the effects and effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) for persons with aphasia. Three men with aphasia from left-hemisphere strokes participated in this study. The men received one semester of traditional therapy followed by one semester of AAT. While both therapies were effective, in that each participant met his goals, no significant differences existed between test results following traditional speech-language therapy versus AAT. Results of a client-satisfaction questionnaire, however, indicated that each of the participants was more motivated, enjoyed the therapy sessions more, and felt that the atmosphere of the sessions was lighter and less stressed during AAT compared with traditional therapy.

Application of Animal-Assisted Interventions in Professional Settings

“…Macauley (2006) cited six studies investigating the effects of AAT in speech and language therapy. Macauley (2006) cited six studies investigating the effects of AAT in speech and language therapy.…”

“…An additional case study (Adams, 1997) examined the enhancement of speech therapy with an elderly woman by also involving canines. Macauley (2006) also investigated the effectiveness of AAI in speech and language therapy for persons with aphasia. The authors suggest that animals enrich speech and language therapy by acting as social catalysts and nonjudgmental listeners.…”

Dog-Assisted Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Schizophrenia Inpatients

“…| For some time now, some therapists have introduced animals into their therapy, sessions. Even though the presence of animals in institutionalized settings has a long histo'ry (Serpell 2003;Macauley 2006), the active participation of the animal in the therapy sessions is quite new. It was Levinson (1962) who first described that the presence of his dog eased the interaction with many children who were withdrawn and uncommunicative.…”

Animal-Assisted Intervention in Rehabilitation Nursing

“…"Aydınlanma Çağı" olarak bilinen 17. yüzyılın başlarında hayvanlar çocukların ve zihinsel engelli bireylerin sosyalleşmesini sağlamak amacı ile kullanılmaya başlanmıştır 20,23 . Tedavide hayvanların kullanımını gösteren ilk çalışmalar 1792'de İngiltere'de ruhsal bozukluğu olan hastaların davranışlarını iyileştirmek için çiftlik hayvanlarının kullanıldığı York Retreat'te yapılmıştır 25 . 1800'lü yıllarda ise; hemşirelik mesleğinin temel yapıtaşlarından olan Florence Nightingale refakatçi hayvanların bakım ve tedavideki önemini "özellikle kronik hastalıkların tedavi sürecinde küçük bir ev hayvanı, hastalar için mükemmel bir arkadaştır" şeklinde belirtmiştir 26 .…”