12 Points Psychology
Animal Assisted Therapy
What is Animal-Assisted Therapy?
Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) falls under the umbrella of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI)
These interventions can include everything from basic visits to nursing homes or hospitals to goal-directed therapeutic interventions with trained health and education practitioners including; psychologists, physiotherapists, teachers and speech pathologists.
Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT)
The inclusion of animals in goal-directed activities overseen by a qualified professional.
The inclusion of the animal is necessary for achieving the desired outcome.
The professional is responsible for creating change with the assistance of the animal.
How Can Animal-Assisted Therapy Help?
Areas of Intervention for Mental Health and Well-Being
Nimer and Lundahl (2007) found consistent improvements in 4 main areas:
-
Autism Spectrum Symptoms
Including positive social interactions and communication
-
Medical Difficulties
Including heart rate, BP, motor skills & co-ordination
-
Behavioural Problems
Including verbal resistance, aggression, violence & compliance with rules
-
Emotional Well-Being
Including anxiety, fear & depression
Modes of Change:
Social Lubricant Effect – e.g., increasing likeability and relatability and providing ‘neutral’ icebreakers
Physical Illness & Stress Moderating Effects – e.g., oxytocin release, reduction of cortisol etc
Psychological & Psychiatric Illness – e.g., reduced anxiety, elimination of anhedonia in schizophrenia and helping with treatment retention rates
Behavioural Interventions – e.g., getting participants to train the dog, using the dog’s immediate feedback as a learning opportunity, motivation etc
Autism Spectrum Interventions – e.g., social lubricant plus non-judgemental nature of the dogs provides motivation for engagement and compliance
Academic & Learning – e.g., reading programs – reading aloud to a dog is less intimidating
Meet Our Therapy Animals
At 12 Points Psychology, we include a variety of animals in our
AAT dependant on the needs of the individual client. Get to know the amazing animal therapy team at 12 Points Psychology.
-
Winston
Therapy Dog
Winston is a 7-year old cavoodle who passed his Foundation training in July 2018. Like his sister Jersey (one of our OG therapy dogs), he was pulled out of a puppy farm and came to us through Beagle Rescue Victoria.
-
Rory
Therapy Dog
Rory is an 13-year old cavalier x maltese x shizhu (although we thought she was a cavoodle for her first 4 years so we still think of her that way most of the time!)
-
Sophie
Therapy Dog
Sophie is a tan border collie who was born in 2017. She came to live with us in 2022 after spending her first five years as a breeding dog in a puppy farm.
-
Toothless
Therapy Axolotl
Toothless is an axolotl, or Mexican walking fish (although he’s an amphibian, not a fish – and I’m pretty sure he’s from Melbourne, not Mexico!).
