Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) is now quite commonly practiced in the fields of occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) as an adjunct to therapy. In many cases, therapy animals act as a catalyst for discussion between the therapist and client, including motivating clients to talk about previous pets they have owned.  Research has shown that the addition of AAI to occupational and physical therapy has proven to help clients tolerate treatment for longer periods of time, increased the positive attitudes of clients during their OT or PT sessions, manifested more smiles and verbalizations during OT and PT sessions, increased body range of motion during PT sessions, enhanced cognition characteristics, including memory, and motivated clients to work harder during their OT and PT sessions.

Please watch the following videos that are located in the learning activities section of this module:

“Benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy”

“Animal Assisted Therapy”

“Animal Assisted Therapy Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy”

After viewing these videos, respond to this question:

What do you see to be the main client/patient benefits of including animal-assisted interventions in occupational therapy and physical therapy treatment plans?  Introduce the three benefits that you deem to be helpful, and discuss each benefit briefly, yet fully. 

I look forward to reading your thoughts and reflections on how AAI can supplement OT and PT treatment plans.  Think in and out of the box.  Put yourself in these patients’ shoes.  Tell me what you see to be beneficial in this scenario.