Your Questions Answered
Explore the most common inquiries about how animal-assisted therapy can be beneficial.
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How is AAPT different from regular play therapy?
The key difference between AAPT and traditional play therapy is the inclusion of an animal in the therapy session. In regular play therapy, the therapist uses toys, art materials, and other play items to help children express their feelings and work through challenges. In AAPT, the presence of the animal can provide additional benefits, such as enhancing trust, lowering anxiety, and creating a deeper emotional connection that facilitates healing.
Who does Play Therapy Benefit?
Play Therapy benefits those facing emotional, behavioural, and developmental challenges, including:
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Children with Anxiety or Depression: Play therapy provides a safe space for children to express their feelings and work through their anxieties and depressive symptoms.
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Children with Behavioural Issues: It helps children with disruptive behaviours by allowing them to process emotions and develop better emotional regulation.
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Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Play therapy can improve social skills and communication for children with ASD.
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Children Experiencing Trauma: It offers a non-threatening way for children to process traumatic events and develop coping mechanisms.
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Children with Developmental Delays: Play therapy can support cognitive and social development in children with developmental delays.
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Children with Grief or Loss: It helps children navigate their emotions and find ways to cope with grief and loss.
Overall, child-led play therapy fosters creativity, problem-solving skills, and emotional understanding, making it a valuable tool for a child’s growth and development.
How are animals involved in AAPT?
In AAPT, a trained therapy animal is present during therapy sessions. The therapist uses the animal to facilitate various activities and exercises that help the child explore their emotions, practice social skills, or develop coping strategies. Animals are not forced into any specific therapeutic role but rather serve as natural motivators and partners in the therapeutic process.
Are the animals safe for the children?
Yes, therapy animals are carefully selected for their temperament and trained to work in therapeutic settings. These animals are certified with reputable animal-assisted therapy organisations and undergo training to ensure they are calm, friendly, and comfortable around children. They are also supervised by a certified handler or therapist to ensure safety during sessions.
Are there any ethical or legal concerns with AAPT in schools?
Yes, there are several ethical and legal considerations:
Animal welfare: The well-being of the therapy animal is paramount, and guidelines must be followed to ensure the animal is not overworked or stressed.
Allergies and fears: Schools must be sensitive to students with allergies or fears of animals, and accommodations must be made to ensure that all students can participate.
Privacy: As with any therapy, confidentiality and privacy must be maintained, particularly when animals are involved in emotional or sensitive therapeutic work.
Insurance and liability: Schools and therapists must ensure that the therapy animal is covered by appropriate insurance and that all health and safety regulations are followed.
What role do school staff play in implementing AAPT?
- Identifying students who could benefit from AAPT
- Coordinating schedules for therapy sessions
- Creating a safe and supportive environment for the therapy animal
- Ensuring that all school policies related to animals are followed
- Providing feedback and monitoring the child’s progress
Do you accept NDIS funding?
What kind of training is required for a therapy dog?
- Basic obedience: The dog should have a solid grasp of basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” “come,” and “leave it.” They must be responsive to commands in a variety of environments.
- Desensitisation to stimuli: The dog must be comfortable around various environments and situations, such as loud noises, sudden movements, children of different ages, and other animals.
- Calmness around people: A therapy dog must be comfortable interacting with children and adults, including those with disabilities or behavioural issues. They should be able to stay calm even in stressful or chaotic environments.
- Socialisation: The dog should be well-socialised with both humans and other animals, demonstrating no signs of fear or aggression in social settings.
What are the therapist’s responsibilities once a dog is certified?
- Ongoing training and socialisation: The dog should receive regular training and socialisation to maintain good behaviour and adapt to any new situations.
- Health monitoring: Regular check-ups and monitoring for any signs of physical or mental health issues that might affect the dog’s ability to work. Ensure that the therapy dog has received all necessary vaccinations and regular flea and worming tablets.
- Behavioural monitoring: Ensure the dog remains calm and focused in the school environment, and that they are responding appropriately to children and the therapist.
- Ethical guidelines: Follow ethical guidelines for using animals in therapy settings, ensuring that the dog’s well-being is always prioritised and that the therapy is provided in a manner that is supportive of both the dog and the students.
Discover the Benefits of Animal Assisted Therapy
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