“Why Does Animal Assisted Therapy Work?”

                …Troubled youngsters can respond to animals in ways that they often can’t to people.  

In many cases, the child, perhaps for the first time, experiences companionship, intimacy  and a sense of inclusion and self-worth.  Seen through a child’s eyes, an animal /friend is non-judgmental.  The child perceives other benefits such as, unquestioned loyalty, physical contact and returned affection.  It is not uncommon for at-risk children to feel depressed, withdrawn and even unwanted.  In order for the healing process to begin, they need to feel connected and to experience a personal bond with another living thing.  For some children, connecting with an adult or peer may be perceived as threatening.  In such cases, an animal-friend becomes a logical alternative. 

Children learn important lessons by interacting/relating to animals.  These lessons become stepping-stones for establishing connections with people.  The experience of nurturing an animal and receiving affection in return, help establish feelings of self-worth, and as a result, the child may be encouraged to risk a human connection.  Learning to care for animals seems to develop a sense of responsibility and caring among children who may not have known that themselves. At Promise Village, many of the children who come to us, are angry and hurt due to very difficult situations.  We arrange for each child to have direct contact and interaction with the animals.  The contacts range from children who play with a dog, groom a horse, handle the exotic birds, hold and pet the cats, or take responsibility for feeding and cleaning the animals during chore time.  The children are more apt to risk a friendship with an animal because the animal will not ask questions, will not judge them and will not tell their secrets to anyone.  In our therapeutic riding program, the Farm Director arranges for each child to have their own horse to groom, ride, and develop a bond with.  The relationship with the horse facilitates relationships to develop with the child’s therapist, other staff, their peers and eventually their families.  The animals simply act as a bridge crossing the gap from the child to healthy, loving, and nurturing human relationships. 

Two examples of animals used in AAT at Promise Village and the benefits they bring to the residents:

1.       Dogs

Research has been done that shows dogs reduce feelings of loneliness, provide comfort, reduce stress, uplift those who are discouraged, and help develop self-esteem as one is given responsibility to care for and train the animal.  At Promise Village, we have a wonderful dog named Julie.  Julie lives in the house with the residents and brings much joy and laughter to the milieu.  Staff and residents alike participate in the daily care of Julie.  One resident is given the job to feed/water Julie twice a day.  Part of his job description is also to take her outside to use the bathroom.  This teaches the resident responsibility and to look out for someone else’s interest instead of simply their own.  Julie requires much attention, but the love that she gives back is priceless.  At Promise Village, we have developed creative ways to use our animals therapeutically within the community where we are located.  One way we can do that is through taking Julie into nursing homes, hospital settings, and children’s wards.  The residents, who have experienced the healing that Julie brings, will be able to watch her comfort others outside of Promise Village.         

2.      Horses

When horses are used in the therapeutic process it is sometimes referred to as “Equine Therapy”, or more commonly as “therapeutic riding”.  Our horses at Promise Village help the residents with impulse control, and they also help to develop concentration skills in those who have been diagnosed with ADD.  The horses are a tool that helps them begin to learn focus and remember crucial steps in caring for and riding a horse.  Horses can be beneficial in the development of sensory and motor skills and abilities.  For individuals with mental or emotional challenges, the relationship that is developed with the horse can lead to an increase in self-esteem, confidence, patience, nurturance, and a sense of independence while riding the horse.  

Charles Appelstein, who has studied the usefulness of therapeutic riding for emotionally disturbed children states, “If a troubled child can develop a special bond with a horse it becomes easier for that child to generalize such feelings into the human world.  Additionally, because the relationship with the horse is so gratifying and fulfilling, the people who work with the horse(s), the instructors, become symbols of the good feeling they, the children experience.  In psychological terms, the animals become what are called, transitional objects.  The riding staff reminds the children of something that feels special.  Because of their association with the horses, the riding staff almost immediately get “a foot in the door” with respect to counseling, guiding and impacting troubled and mistrustful children.”

Other animals used in animal assisted therapy at Promise Village:

Rabbits, exotic birds (Cockatoos, an African Gray, Canaries, and a Parrot), cats, goats, miniature horses, miniature donkeys, llamas, a cow, chickens, and a pot-bellied pig.

At Promise Village, we have integrated creative ways to utilize our four legged therapists…

Observations and insights can be gained into the defense mechanisms and specific needs of the child through their interactions with the animals.  Some examples include:

1. Watching a child hold, stroke, and talk to an animal.
2. Seeing a child who was abused understand more about their own pain, and/or need to be in control or have power over something smaller and weaker.
3. Watching children who isolate from relationships develop a relationship and bond with a particular animal.
4. Observing the animal families interact may help the children talk about feelings from their families of origin. 

Involvement in 4-H Programs:

The residents at Promise Village are involved in a 4-H program in the local community.  They meet regularly at the home to discuss what they are studying and work in their 4-H workbook.  The 4-H program is another avenue that has proved to have therapeutic benefits and has been utilized at Promise Village as an animal-assisted activity.  The 4-H program increases the child’s self-esteem and self-confidence as they take care of, prepare the animal for a show or fair, and gain knowledge about the particular animal they are working with.

Community Involvement:

At Promise Village, we are making plans to take our animals into the community to use in therapeutic ways for people other than the clients in the program.      The residents then become involved in using the animals that have been agents of healing in their own lives, to be used to bring healing in the lives of those in the community.  The residents become "Wounded Healers",  in their own right.  The animals can be used effectively in a variety of individual and group settings, including homes for the aged, hospitals, children's wards and various types of institutions for the mentally ill.  

Family Therapy With the Animals

Being around the resident, their family and the animals, can help the therapists gain insight into the dynamics within the family, and the ways in which they communicate and relate with one another.  This will help in the continued treatment of the resident.