Forward Thinking

Fine, Aubrey H.; Tedeschi, Philip; Elvove, Erica

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-801292-5.00003-1

Cited by 25 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Given the crucial importance of clear definitions to establishing efficacy, considerable work has been done by researchers and international bodies to highlight the need for common terminology [4–6]. A number of key points appear consistent in the existing literature and will be accepted as definitions for the purposes of this paper.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Incorporating animal-assisted therapy in mental health treatments for adolescents: A systematic review of canine assisted psychotherapy

2019

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IntroductionAs interest in Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) grows, there is increasing need to differentiate informal activities from formal and professionally directed therapies, including mental health focussed Canine-Assisted Psychotherapy (CAP). There have been no reviews focusing exclusively on CAP and the distinct developmental period of adolescence. The aims of this study were to identify the characteristics of CAP interventions, their impacts and their acceptability, tolerability and feasibility for adolescents with mental health disorders.MethodA systematic review identified studies incorporating canines into mental health treatments for adolescents aged 10–19 years. Studies reporting qualitative or quantitative psychological or psychosocial outcomes were included.ResultsSeven studies were scrutinised. Intervention characteristics varied, including a range of formats, settings, locations, doses, and facilitators. Information on the role of the canines in sessions was sparse. CAP had a positive impact on primary diagnoses and symptomatology, conferring additional benefits to standard treatments for internalising disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and equivalent effects for anxiety, anger and externalising disorders. CAP was associated with positive impacts on secondary factors including increased engagement and socialisation behaviours, and reductions in disruptive behaviours within treatment sessions. Global functioning also improved. There was insufficient evidence that CAP improved factors associated with self-esteem, subjective wellbeing, or coping. Good attendance and retention rates indicated high levels of acceptability. Moderate to high tolerability was also indicated. Feasibility may be limited by additional training and logistical requirements.RecommendationsWe recommend the development of theoretically informed, standardised (manualised) intervention protocols that may subsequently form the basis of efficacy and effectiveness testing. Such protocols should clearly describe canine-participant-facilitator interactions via a formalised nomenclature; spontaneous (animal-led), adjunctive (facilitator-led), and experiential (participant-led).ConclusionsThere is emerging evidence to suggest that CAP improves the efficacy of mental health treatments in self-selected adolescent populations via reductions in primary symptomatology, and via secondary factors that improve therapeutic processes and quality, such as engagement and retention.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Incorporating animal-assisted therapy in mental health treatments for adolescents: A systematic review of canine assisted psychotherapy

2019

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“…There is a growing momentum in research and clinical practice related to the inclusion of animals in a broad range of intervention services, particularly those for autism spectrum disorder (O’Haire, 2013). Integrating animals into therapeutic programming is known as Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI), and is comprised of three categories: targeted therapeutic services (Animal-Assisted Therapy, AAT), enrichment visits (Animal-Assisted Activities, AAA), and educational programs (Animal-Assisted Education, AAE; Fine, Tedeschi, & Elvolve, 2015). Its provision spans a wide spectrum of populations, from typically-developing children to adults with psychiatric disorders (Barker & Wolen, 2008; O’Haire, 2010).…”

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confidence: 99%

Research on animal-assisted intervention and autism spectrum disorder, 2012–2015

O’Haire

2017

Applied Developmental Science

100

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Including animals in autism intervention is growing in both research and practice. A systematic literature review was conducted to collate and synthesize all empirical research on animal-assisted intervention (AAI) for autism published from 2012 to 2015. Findings from 28 included studies revealed that AAI programs generally include one animal per participant with a total contact time of approximately 10 hours over the course of 8 to 12 weeks. Research methodology is diverse and though limited in many cases, has improved over the last few years. The most commonly reported outcome was increased social interaction, which was unanimously significant across 22 studies. The need for further research is highlighted, calling for a focus on refining AAI techniques, identifying optimal circumstances for positive change as well as individuals who may not benefit, and independent replication of high quality studies to move AAI from an enrichment activity to an evidence-based practice for autism.

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“…What remains unanswered, however, is the effect AAT has on goal attainment within traditional therapy modalities for children with autism, such as occupational therapy. As this is an "assisted therapy" further exploration of the efficacy of involving therapy dogs within specific therapeutic processes is necessary to establish this as evidence-based practice [34].…”

Section: Canine Assisted Interventions With Children On the Autism Spmentioning

confidence: 99%

Canine Assisted Occupational Therapy: Protocol of a Pilot Randomised Control Trial for Children on the Autism Spectrum

Hill¹,

Ziviani²,

Cawdell-Smith³

et al. 2019

OJPed

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Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by difficulties with communication, social interaction, and restricted and repetitive behaviours. For children with this disorder, the ability to engage with people and activities, and to participate in everyday occupations is compromised. Animal assisted therapy has been proposed as an intervention modality to facilitate development of an individual's social behaviours such as engagement and attention. In spite of the increasing evidence showing the positive impact animal assisted therapy can have for children on the autism spectrum, there remain no universal standards or formalised guidelines for ethical practice with either the clients or the therapy dogs involved. The proposed pilot randomised control trial aims to determine the impact of canine assisted occupational therapy on the on-task behaviours and overall goal attainment of children on the autism spectrum, as well as consider the impact that being involved within therapy sessions has on the therapy dog.

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Forward Thinking

Cited by 25 publications

References 20 publications

Incorporating animal-assisted therapy in mental health treatments for adolescents: A systematic review of canine assisted psychotherapy

Incorporating animal-assisted therapy in mental health treatments for adolescents: A systematic review of canine assisted psychotherapy

Research on animal-assisted intervention and autism spectrum disorder, 2012–2015

Canine Assisted Occupational Therapy: Protocol of a Pilot Randomised Control Trial for Children on the Autism Spectrum

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