What is An Emotional Support Animal?

Discussion Humans have had animals in their lives for millennia. Domesticated animals have been used for work, food, protection, and companionship among other activities. Dogs are a common species that are trained for a myriad of tasks including providing therapeutic benefits to persons with permanent or temporary disabilities including persons with psychiatric problems. The utilization of animals in medical/psychiatric therapeutic treatment programs is known as animal assisted activities (AAA) and animal assisted therapy (AAT). These programs have at least a 225-year history of being used. AAA tend to focus on recreation and quality of life activities, education, and motivation. AAT programs are used as part of a person’s overall therapeutic treatment plan for their disability. AAT programs are generally not stand-alone therapies. These programs are used in “… numerous venues including schools, hospitals, mental health facilities, nursing homes, prisons, courtrooms, businesses, and physician’s offices.” They have been used successfully for anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, post-trauma including physical and mental health problems, substance abuse, grief, autism spectrum disorder, blindness, seizures, pain, and other problems. They can help “…encourage independence, self-esteem, psychology well-being, empathy and trust.” Potential problems for using animals include: Allergic reaction Injuries such as bites Zoonoses Fina...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news