The History of Animal Assisted Interventions: From Definitions to Disease May 27, 2016 Colleen Anne Dell Professor & Research Chair in Substance Abuse, U of S Darlene Chalmers Assistant Professor Social Work U of R 27 Things to Know about the Role of Animals in Addiction Webinar Series

Agenda Introductions History of AAIs Definitions Frameworks/Theories Practice Considerations Animal Welfare Questions The history of animal assisted interventions: From definitions to diseases

Who we are Colleen Dell Professor & Research Chair Extreme K-9 Harcum College Work with 3 therapy dogs

Who we are Anna-Belle 4 years old Bulldog St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog (2013) Author: Questioning “Fluffy”: A Dog’s Eye View of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) in the Treatment of Substance Misuse. Substance Use & Misuse

Who we are Darlene Chalmers Assistant Professor Social Work Facilitated Equine Experiential L earning (FEEL) Therapy dog handler

7 Point Summary Webinar #1 1. Animals are important in our lives 2. The HAB helps us to understand this connection 3. There are a multitude of health benefits from interacting with companion animals 4. Zooeyia is one explanation for these benefits 5. The benefits exist across the lifespan 6. Pets can leverage behaviour change 7. Service Providers can support the HAB

History of AAIs  Animals have played a therapeutic role throughout historical time  Important changes in attitudes towards animals in the 17 th and 18 th Centuries  The therapeutic benefit of animals was recognized in the 19 th century in institutions in the treatment of mental illness  Boris Levinson “discovers” animal-assisted therapy in the 20 th century  Surge of literature on AAIs but very limited research Serpell (2010) Point #1

Definitions: Making Sense of “Pet Therapy” Language Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) are “any intervention that intentionally includes or incorporates animals as part of a therapeutic or ameliorative process or milieu” (Kruger & Serpell, 2006, p. 27)  Animal Assisted Therapy  Animal Assisted Activities (StJA)  Therapy Dogs  Equine Assisted Learning  Equine Assisted Psychotherapy  Emotional Support Animals  Service Dogs  Working dogs: Search & Rescue, Police, Military Point #2 HAIO%20WHITE%20PAPER%20TASK%20FORCE%2 0-%20FINAL%20REPORT.pdf

Frameworks/Ways for Understanding  “The field of AAIs currently lacks a unified, widely accepted, or empirically supported framework for explaining how and why relationships between humans and animals are potentially therapeutic” (Kruger & Serpell, 2010, p. 37) Point #3

Framework: Biophilia Hypothesis  Edward O. Wilson (1984)  Humans are genetically inclined to attend to, and be attracted by other living organisms (Kahn, 1997)  “Dogs are not here to be our equals, or our substitute children, or our status symbols. They are here to remind us how we have become detached from Nature, and to teach us how to reconnect”. Cesar Millan, /cesars-blog/Life-in-the-balance#.V0MK276 h9oc.mailto

Framework: One Health

Artist: Ben Schofield Source: Renee Linklater /3/Broadbridge_Legge_Linklater_Renee_L_ _PhD_thesis.pdf Framework: Indigenous Worldview

Practice Considerations Human  Handler certification/training  Organization  Staff  Client  Liability  Infection control Animal  Aptitude  Training/Obedience  AAI Certification  Health Care Point #4 Animal-Assisted-Interventions- Guidelines.aspx

Zoonosis Bites Rabies Capnocytophaga Pasteurella, Staph (incl. MRSA), Strep Direct or indirect contact Flea bites, mites Point #5

Account for the Animal’s Voice Will you still love me when you understand who I really am? Behesha Doan, Extreme K-9 Point #6

Is the dog happy they attended the event? Point #7

7 Point Summary 1. Animals have historically had a therapeutic role in the lives of humans 2. There are many definitions used, and Animal Assisted Interventions is an umbrella term 3. Frameworks/ways of understanding AAIs include biophilia, One Health & an Indigenous worldview 4. Key practice considerations 5. Zoonosis awareness 6. Accounting for the animal’s voice 7. Animal welfare

Questions & Comments?