Brighter Pathways ©  2009

1237 E. Livingston Street, Suite B

Orlando, FL 32803-5401

Ph: 407-895-0540 ~ Fax: (407) 228-9771

Licenses:  SS00305 ~ MH02676 ~ PCE-9

About AAT

 

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) -- the deliberate inclusion of an animal in a treatment plan -- is built on age-old principles:  domesticated animals provide companionship, add a sense of safety and protection, encourage physical activity, and foster social interaction with others

 

Pets are a common denominator in American homes.  Children especially can share private moments and companionship during lonely or stressful times. Animals teach children responsibilities of daily living, compassion for other creatures, and the cycles of life and death. They help build self-esteem and self-confidence, too.

 

Animals & Mental Health    

“A pet is an island of sanity in what appears to be an insane world.”—Dr. Boris Levinson, Child Psychologist

Mental-health practitioners are now tapping into this unique pet-people bond for its potential therapeutic value. In one survey, close to half of the psychiatrists, psychologists, and family practice physicians reported that they have prescribed pets for their patients to combat loneliness, depression, and other emotional problems including inactivity and stress. Animals provide unconditional affection, warmth, perspective, amusement, and a sense of being needed.

Animals can give us a realistic, naturalistic touchstone--a baseline of behavior against which we can compare our own troubles and put our lives into perspective. For example, simply watching a fish tank during dental treatment and oral surgery is used to reduce anxiety.  

 

AAT & Children    

“Animals are a perfect example of psychological symbiosis: pets need people to care for them, and some people love to care for pets”. –Phil Arkow, AAT Specialist

Animals in therapy are non-threatening and non-judgmental.   Therapy dogs in particular are regarded as "man's best friends." Dependent and dependable, therapy animals…

 

· Provide unconditional positive regard

· Serve as catalysts to social interaction

· Stimulate innate nurturing responses

· Offer a sense of mastery

· Allow consistent, non-judgmental acceptance

· Build bridges for interpersonal communication/attachment

 

AAT at Brighter Pathways  

“The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.”--Samuel Butler, "Higgledy-Piggledy," 1912

 

 

Dr. Messenger is delighted to introduce her beloved Golden Doodles as AAT affiliates into her practice. Play is the natural expression of children.  With extensive training and much experience

in Play Therapy, Dr. Messenger now integrates the two disciplines of ATT and Play Therapy for

those specific cases where it is appropriate.

 

Emphasis will still be upon clear, effective strategies for change.  For example, a child with anxiety may help the therapy dog that is “scared a lot” learn how to be brave and strong. Similarly, a child who needs to learn self-control can teach a dog who is “wound up a lot” how to calm down quickly. For older children, just sitting on the floor petting a dog while talking or practicing specific techniques seems to relieve a lot of the stress about coming to counseling.

 

By combining AAT with traditional principals, the therapeutic process goes “faster and funner.”   In many cases, however, the primary job of the Therapy Dogs is simply to entertain the children

during parent consultation time.