Companion Animal Association
of Arizona
Wet Noses
Open Faces
Smiling Eyes
Happy Hearts
CAAA
Companion Animal Association
of Arizona
CAAA Pet Therapy Program Video
CAAA
Let’s talk about these questions
• Who is CAAA and what is Pet
Therapy?
• What are the benefits of Pet
Therapy?
• How is a pet (dog or cat) certified
as a Pet Therapy Animal?
Companion Animal Association of Arizona
•
Established in 1986
• The oldest social/pet therapy
organization in Arizona
We worked to enact
laws to allow pets in
public housing
• We sponsor approximately
45 Pet Therapy teams
•
www.caaainc.org
The CAAA Mission
To enhance the quality of life
for people by promoting the
Human/Companion Animal Bond
What is Pet Therapy?
Animal-assisted therapy designed to improve the physical, social, emotional,
and/or cognitive functioning of the patient, as well as provide educational and
motivational effectiveness for participants.
Pet Therapy animals bring wet noses, open
faces, smiling eyes and happy hearts to an
individual in a very special way.
What is Pet Therapy?
“The most exciting part of my week is the day Scottie comes to visit. We talk to
each other and I forget my aches and pains. He reminds me so much of the dogs
I’ve had and loved during my life.”
A Resident
“Most of the time in the nursing home, Bert kind of babbles…words we wouldn’t
understand. Yet when he sees a therapy animal, he starts talking at a conversational level. These visits are an important event for him.”
An Activity Director
Pet Therapy isn’t new
Examples of dogs and cats in Egyptian art – the large number of
mummified cats found in Egyptian burial sites. Ancient cultures have
enjoyed a high level of comfort from their pets.
At Abydos, part of the cemetery was set
aside for dogs near the graves of
women, archers and dwarfs.
Pet Therapy isn’t new
Florence Nightingale was quoted, “A small pet animal is often an excellent
companion for the sick, especially for those with long-chronic illnesses.”
1940’s: Pawling NY Convalescent Hospital, the American Red Cross and the Army
Air Corps set up a program for recuperating veterans which involved association
with a wide variety of animals in a farm
environment.
Pet Therapy isn’t new
In 1969 Boris Levinson published “Pet-Oriented Child Psychotherapy”
which was the first serious study of the healing powers of animals.
What is a Pet Therapy animal?
•
A Pet Therapy animal is not a service
dog. Service dogs are trained to provide
personal assistance such as Seeing Eye
Dogs. And Pet Therapy animals do not
have the same privileges.
• Pet Therapy animals are most commonly
dogs but may be cats, pet rats,
• hamsters, birds or even
miniature horses
What do Pet Therapy teams do?
•
Pet Therapy teams visit individuals
who live in a facility where pets are
not allowed in residence (hospitals,
hospices, adult day care centers,
nursing homes, etc.)
•
Relaxes and calms
What are the benefits of
Pet Therapy?
• Relieves stress, anxiety and
depression
• Lowers blood pressure
• Improves mental and physical abilities
What are the benefits of
Pet Therapy?
Edward hospital in Naperville, IL:
87 patients received 4-15-minute visits vs same number of patients who did not.
• Patients who received visits required half as much
• Timing of visits didn’t matter
• Largest difference was on first and second post-op
day
Results presented to 18th Annual Conference of the International Society of Anthrozoology and the First
Animal Interaction Conference in Kansas City, November, 2009
What are the benefits of
Pet Therapy?
According to 1998 and 1999 studies among Alzheimer’s patients
• Increased socialization
• Improved social behaviors, decreased
agitation
Sigmund Freud used Jo-Fi in therapy sessions.
•
Dog could sense tension of patient
• If Jo-Fi lay close to patient –
tension free
• If Jo-Fi lay across the room – high
tension
• Jo-Fi had a calming influence on
patients, especially children
Boris Levinson included Jingles in therapy sessions.
• Could more easily reach a disturbed
child with Jingles present
• Mother of a severely withdrawn 9year-old asked Levinson to see her
son. Jingles happened to be in the
room. Although previous therapies
had failed, the boy reacted positively
to Jingles
Why can’t Pet Therapy dogs be kept in residence?
•
Staff already has enough to do without
caring for the animal
• Dogs are fall hazards for the elderly
• If no one take specific responsibility
for care the animal will probably be
neglected
• Not all residents want
dogs around
• Some residents may
mistreat animals
Why do Pet Therapy animals bond with patients?
• Provide undivided attention
• Don’t care if ones speech
habits are irregular
• Non-judgmental – don’t care if
they hear the same story over
and over and are always happy
to see you
What is Pet Therapy Certification?
•
County license
• Vaccinations
• Personal liability insurance
• Annual physical exam
•
Must be well behaved
• Must pass a CAAA evaluation
http://caaainc.org/dogrequirements.htm
Does your pet have Pet Therapy potential?
•
Walk calmly on a lead
• Not afraid of strange sounds,
environments
• Not aggressive including with other
animals
• Friendly to strangers.
Likes to be touched.
• Predictable in public