1. The Utilization of Animal-Assisted Therapy Across Social Work Interventions
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Brittni Loewke
Greater Rochester Collaborative Master of Social Work Program
Abstract
The purpose of this literature review is to examine professional literature that addresses the utilization of animal-assisted therapy within the social work realm.  Populations included in this review are both children and adults with a mental health diagnosis, individuals with an intellectual disability, individuals with behavioral concerns, Veterans who have a mental health diagnosis such as post-traumatic stress disorder, individuals living in prison, and individuals in hospice, receiving palliative care, or making end of life decisions.  The findings of this review suggest that there is evidence to support the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy with these populations, however there are limitations and barriers to AAT and further research is necessary to fully evaluate animal-assisted therapy across social work interventions.
Introduction
Theories
Key Findings
The concept of animals visiting or living with individuals in a hospital, long-term care facility, school, or rehabilitation center has been around since the beginning of the 1960’s (Johnson, Odenaal, & Meadows, 2002).  There are several different ways to include animals in a person’s recovery but the focus of this paper is animal-assisted therapy. Animal-assisted therapy has been utilized in a variety of settings for many years however little, consistent, empirical research exists because of the variability among populations, demographics, and environment. Due to this lack of research, animal-assisted therapy isn’t always utilized when beneficial in therapeutic settings (Rabbitt, S.M., Kazdin, A.E., & Hong, J., 2015). While specific, consistent research is limited, there is sufficient research and literature to support the importance of animal-assisted therapy in the social work field.  Animals help build a relationship with the client in the therapeutic environment to increase positive behaviors, increase and support mental health and well-being, decrease symptoms of depression or anxiety, increase healing and positive social interactions (Chandler, Portrie-Bethke, Barrio Minton, Fernando, & O’Callaghan, 2010).  
The utilization of animals within therapy for children who have suffered trauma is extremely relative because of the therapeutic relationship that can be developed with the animal present (Bachi & Parish-Plass, 2017).
Signal et al., found decreased PTSD symptoms in their study of children who were victims of childhood abuse (2017).
Maber-Aleksandrowicz found positive outcomes in the area of social, behavioral, cognitive, and emotional development for individuals with intellectual disabilities (2016).
Animal companionship and interaction can help to decrease some of the common symptoms of depression such as an overall feeling of loneliness and discomfort (Jau & Hodgson, 2018).
Individuals diagnosed with affective disorders reported an improved quality of life based on the animal-assisted therapy (Berget, et al., 2008).
Allison and Ramaswamy found that animal-assisted therapy in prisons could increase development in self-awareness, self-worth, and empathy as well as decrease isolation in inmates (2016).
O’Haire et al. reported that animal-assisted interventions showed significant positive improvement for short-term interventions for individuals with PTSD (2015).
Cherniack and Cherniack’s research suggests that animals can have a positive effect on the mental health of older individuals as represented by a decrease in various behavior symptoms and an increase in social interaction behaviors (2014).
Researchers found reductions in pain, a reduction in stress and an increase in positive mood among patients who are experiencing end of life processes (Engelman, 2013).
Attachment Theory - An animal (often a dog based on research) can act as an attachment figure for an individual in a similar way to the attachment with another individual (Rockett & Carr, 2014). Attachment theory is based on the premise that the way a caregiver responds and is attentive to a child determines the quality of attachment that child will have (Fitton, 2012). A quality attachment is determined by a bond between the child and caregiver that makes the child feel safe, free from harm, and secure (Fitton, 2012). Animal-assisted therapy can be beneficial when working with an individual who has an insecure attachment because the person has the ability to use the animal as a ‘transitional object’ or to use the animal to build a relationship with and a secure attachment (Geist, 2011). Geist describes the attachment when working with a therapy dog as easier because the dog doesn’t ‘talk’ back to the person, they are there to listen which increases the person’s feelings attentiveness (2011).
Cognitive Theory - Cognitive theory is based on the idea that a person’s cognitions, behaviors, and environment are all linked and working together with one another to form that person’s perception of the world (Geist, 2011). Geist describes this in more detail to explain that if a child or person has a perception of themselves as a “bad” person, they will behave “bad”, and others will treat them as though they are “bad” (2011). The utilization of animals with these individuals can help them to have a positive perception of themselves which in turn creates positive behaviors and positive interactions with the environment (Geist, 2011).
Animal-Assisted Therapy Definitions
Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) refer to the overall use of animals with individuals to promote physical and emotional health and well-being (Bert, Gualano, Camussi, Pieve, Voglino, & Siliquini, 2016). Animal-assisted interventions differ from animal-assisted therapy in that animal-assisted interventions is the overall or umbrella term for all forms of animal inclusion with individuals in public or health settings.
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) refers to utilizing an animal in individual or group therapy sessions with clients with specific goals in mind such as building a relationship, establishing trust, allowing the animal to be the focus of the therapeutic bond, or utilizing the animal as a symbol of something the client is working through (Nimer & Lundahl, 2007).
Barriers/Limitations
Johnson et al. describes some of the barriers to animal-assisted therapy or interventions the reluctance of practitioners and professionals to allow animals into places such as nursing homes, hospice care, long-term care facilities, and hospitals (2002).
Some of the limitations described by the researchers are a limited number of available research studies, weak study designs, low participant numbers, a lack of gender variability, and an inconsistent delivery of animal-assisted therapy methods (Maber-Aleksandrowicz, et al., 2016).
There is a limited amount of research in the area of animal-assisted therapy for older individuals and the research that is available lacks control groups and consistency in regards to design and participant population (Cherniack & Cherniack, 2014).
Brief History
Dr. Boris Levinson was one of the first professionals to discuss the concept of utilizing animals in therapy (Bachi & Parish-Plass, 2017 )
Parish-Plass describes the goal of Levinson’s work with animals as utilizing the animal as a motivational tool for the child to work through their issues and lessen their resistance (2010).
References
References available upon request