Community Currents

Animal-Assisted Therapy Reveals Positive Outcomes Among Mentally Disabled

Recent studies of Animal-Assisted Therapy are contributing to the growing volume of research supporting the positive effects of animal interaction among individuals with developmental and/or psychiatric disabilities. Therapy modalities incorporating Animal-Assisted Therapy have demonstrated physiological and psychosocial benefits through sensory integration, social interaction, and emotional support.[1]

Animals can serve as aides to humans both as therapy animals and as service animals. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a service animal is defined as “any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.”[2] Where reasonable, miniature horses that have been trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities are also permitted.[3] (See PWDF's Spring 2012 e-newsletter, Volume 12, for an article about psychiatric service animal work in the school context.)

One proposed mechanism of Animal-Assisted Therapy describes the manner in which animal interaction may serve as the initial step in patients’ social bond-forming abilities. After improving their social skills with animals, patients are then able to relate these behaviors to other human beings.[4]

With the positive behavioral outcomes that have resulted from Animal-Assisted Therapy, a number of organizations have emerged that specifically work with at-risk youth, veterans, and individuals with mental disabilities with the goal of reducing the symptoms associated with disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and autism.

Among children with autism, Equine-Assisted Therapy has been shown to improve overall language use and social interaction, as the positive interactions that occur between the horse and the individual intrinsically reinforce social engagement skills.[5] In a study incorporating horseback riding as an element of therapeutic care among autistic children, a 6-week intervention revealed improvements in directed attention, sensory integration, social motivation, and sensory sensitivity when compared with the control group.[6]

Further research is necessary in the innovative field of Animal-Assisted Therapy. Integrating Animal-Assisted Therapy sessions into the rehabilitation programs of patients with developmental and psychiatric disabilities may be an advantageous technique in improving social, behavioral, and emotional outcomes in this population.

PWDF Profile

Who We Are

People With Disabilities Foundation is an operating 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California, which focuses on the rights of the mentally and developmentally disabled.

Services

Advocacy: PWDF advocates for Social Security claimant's disability benefits in eight Bay Area counties. We also provide services in disability rights, on issues regarding returning to work, and in ADA consultations, including areas of employment, health care, and education, among others. There is representation before all levels of federal court and Administrative Law Judges. No one is declined due to their inability to pay, and we offer a sliding scale for attorney's fees.

Education/Public Awareness: To help eliminate the stigma against people with mental disabilities in society, PWDF's educational program organizes workshops and public seminars, provides guest speakers with backgrounds in mental health, and produces educational materials such as videos.

Continuing Education Provider: State Bar of California MCLE, California Board of Behavioral Sciences Continuing Education, and Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.