AATA Exam 2

What roles do pets play in modern day families?

-pets in families homes

-most in homes with school aged children

-form of company

How are pets regarded to in families?

as part of the family

How do we know that pets are regarded to as part of the family?

-people pay lots on pet products

-pets receive gifts for holidays

-pet birthdays

-pet funerals

How can we use a child's pet in order to get a better understanding of what is happening in their life?

-they will talk about what happens to their pets in their homes more willingly than other family members or themselves

-less censored information that they share

-can reveal incidents or settings that put them at risk of abuse or neglect

What is the connection between animal cruelty and cruelty to humans?

the behavior that harms animals is the same behavior that harms the human (correlation)

What can dog bites to children by the family dog be indicative of?

indicator of a physically abusive or otherwise chaotic household (correlation)

What is meant by high risk breeds and how does this correlate with child abuse/domestic violence?

-High risk breeds: Rottwieler, Doberman, Bulldog, Pitfalls, Akita

-significant marker for general deviance (behaviors that go against social norms) (correlation)

-humans with aggressive behavior enacting the behaviors on the dog and child

What effect does child’s exposure to animal abuse have on a child’s development?

-can have significant impacts on child development

-promote desensitization

-decreasing empathy

-damaging the child’s sense of safety and confidence

-accepting the physical harm as a sign of love

-seeking empowerment by inflicting pain and suffering

What can ultimately happen to these children that are repeatedly exposed to abuse?

-neurological deficits (brain smaller, problems with emotions and intellectual functioning)

-leading to imitation of abusive behaviors (as the abuser)

Explain how a child’s attachment to a pet can both be a positive and negative thing? (List 4 ways in which this can be negative.)

-Positive: shows that the child as the ability to connect with another living creature

-Negative: makes a child vulnerable

-they may witness the abuse and/ or death of the animal

-child may lose pet

-child may be forced into something to protect pet

What kind of questions in a questionnaire can help us as certain whether there is a threat in domestic violence in a home? (ask to parent alone)

-Do you feel unsafe as home?

-Where are the guns kept in your house?

-Have you ever felt afraid of your partner?

-Do you have pets? Has your partner ever hurt or said that he/she would to your pets?

What kind of questions in a questionnaire can help us as certain whether there is a threat in domestic violence in a home? (ask to child alone)

-What happens in your house when your mother and father (or partner) get angry with each other?

-Is there any hitting in your house?

-Have you or your siblings ever been hurt?

-Do you have any pets? Has anyone ever hurt or threatened to hurt your pet?

-Do you ever worry about bad things happening to your pet?

When a child has to go into foster care, they often have to be separated from their pet.  Explain what kind of effects this can have on a child.

- difficult adjustment of losing their pets

-the pet can possibly be euthanized if not adopted in a shelter

-sense of loneliness

-depressed

-anxiety development without pet

How do programs like Safe People, Safe Pets provide services to help preserve that bond?

-cares for pets of foster children

-children can visit, see photos, and stay connected

-overall helps the child with the situation when they get to see the dog

How can we help abused children and family members find ways to empower themselves and help protect their animals?

- that it is an act of kindness to give that pet a better life and ensure their safety

-empowers youth to protect animals (an act of intervention)

-helping protect animals helps promote a sense of empathy in a positive way

What are the concerns with animals that are in homes with children that have been sexually abused?

- sexually abused children might seek sexual stimulation from the family pet

-sometimes involved sexually with the pet

-might show abusive behaviors to animals as they witnessed this violence before to them

Dog bites to children are a common occurrence, what are some of the main differences between dog bites to children vs. adults?

- in children they are most likely bit in the face, neck and upper torsi

-in adults its most likely hands

What kind of issues/problems can this cause in a child, beyond physical wounds?

-cause extreme anxiety issues and fear

-may develop PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder)

-impairment in brain development, cognitive, behavioral, and social skills

Explain what the program SHIP is about.  How does this help heal the wounds of domestic violence?

-SHIP:Strategic Human Intervention Program

-have programs that are designed as intervention for children and caregivers living in high risk settings (also homelessness and shelters)

-teach families how to teach dogs, good manners, and positive reinforcement

-try to improve relationships within family

-teaching empathy skills (that are engaging and fun)

Animal-Assisted Therapy Definition

-the medical treatment of a disease; curative, medical, or psychiatric treatment

-goal oriented with objectives for individual

-directed by a health service professional with specialized expertise

-measured progress

Equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP)

-includes professional horses where they do activities such as grooming, handling, lunging, riding, driving, vaulting

-facilitated by licensed mental health professional

-established treatment goals and objectives for individual

Hippotherapy

-done by occupational, physical, and speech therapist

-does not teach client how to ride horse

-using techniques of NDT (neurodevelopment treatment) and SI (sensory integration) along with the movement of the horse as part of treatment

-has goals of improving balance, coordination, posture, increasing cognitive skills, fine/motor control

Biophilia Hypothesis

-humans posses factor that attracts them to nature and other forms of life

-EX. when the animals are clam we are calm and vice versa

-knowledge of environment cues

Learning Theory

-an activity that is pleasurable will be self reinforcing and will be more likely to occur in the future (likely to be repeated)

-unpleasant or anxiety inducing activities may result in avoidance or withdrawal behavior of activity (unlikely to be repeated)

Social Mediaton

-animals help to speed up and create discussions for human social interactions

-animals expedite the relationship building process between patient and therapist

-people with animals look happier, friendlier and more relaxed

-increased positive interactions with strangers

Explain the significance of the results of the study by Corson in which adolescent psychiatric patients walked dogs

-decreased response time to questions posed by therapist

- increases in the number of words used in repsonses

-increases in the percentage of questions answered

-overall they were more comfortable and open to talking to therapist

Attachment Theory

-humans have an natural, biologically based need for social interaction

-usually towards specific figures

-display behaviors of smiling toward and touching them to show its a reciprocal relationship

-Ex. Mother and child

Transitional Objects

-an object that serves as a comforting function for a child

-helps to alleviate the normal developmental stress of separation from the primary caregiver

-EX. blanket, toy, stuffed animal

Social needs

-the need for humans to have social interactions/ relationships for their psychological well being

-social integration

-reassurance of worth

-guidance

-feeling heard or seen (understand that individual)

What do animals provide for social needs?

-non evaluative empathy

-unconditional positive regard

-animals are empathetic (sense and respond to people’s feelings and emotions)

-unconditional love

Modeling

-clients learn appropriate behaviors through observation

-animals can help people learn appropriate social interactions

-animals give immediate responses to both pleasurable and unpleasant ones

Self-efficacy

belief in one’s ability to preform behaviors that will create and expected and desirable outcomes

Performance accomplishment

-the successful performance of a behavior that was once feared

-increases self confidence and their belief that to do these behaviors

Personal agency

-a condition in which people come to believe that they can make things happen that will be of benefit to themselves and others

Role Theory

-emphasis on the way the social environment shapes the development process

-people enter new roles that change their behavior to conform to these role expectations within society (social norms, accepted)

What are the benefits of having a psychiatric service dog for their handlers

-increased social interaction

-reduced feelings of avoidance and their feelings of worthiness

-more empowering conversations focused on their abilities and their dog’s abilities (rather than disabilities)

-improvement in general health

-feeling emotional and psychological support form their dog

Psychiatric service animals

-assistance in medical crisis

-treatment related assistance

-assistance coping with emotional overload

-security enhancement tasks

-mental disabilities

How do PSAs differ from classic service dogs?

-PSAs are with handlers have a disability you may not be able to see

-Service Dog handlers have a physical disability you can see

What kind of tasks do assistance/service animals do?

-assist people with disabilities that are deaf, with hearing impairments, that are blind, and with vision impairments

(ADA) American Disabilities Act

-defines a service animal as “any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability

-”tools” to help than rather than an actual treatment

What kind of disorders are most PSAs useful for?

-Mood and anxiety disorders

-Severe depression

-Post traumatic stress disorder

-panic reactions

-agoraphobia (fear of going outside)

-acute trauma reactivity

What kind of tasks do psychiatric service animals perform?

-retrieve medications from a bag upon command

-bring telephone or even call 911, suicide hotline on a specialized k-9 rescue phone

-alert someone to take their medication for certain time of day

-alert someone to signals, sounds, doorbells

-help with emotional overload, by providing physical contact with them in order to assist in reality affirmation (improve self control or grounding for person)

How can PSAs be helpful in people with PTSD

-help to alert someone in presence of other people in their apartment if frightened easily form their PTSD

-read their dog’s body language to see whether or not there is a threat in the immediate environment

How can PSAs be helpful in people who are victims of sexual assault

-helps to make them feel comfortable when they revisit that time of the rape

-in therapy setting dog was used as a buffer, listener and focal point during the exercise

-empowered because they chose their dog

Emotional Support Dogs (ESA)

-animal that provides companionship and comfort

-assist and modify their cognitive and social experience to improve self esteem

-unconditional love

-attention

-affection

-companionship

-increased self control

-improved psychological health

How do emotional support animals (ESAs) differ from PSAs?

-Emotional Support Animals: provide comfort and companionship only

-PSAs do specific work/perform specific tasks to help with mental disabilities

Whose guidelines are followed? Who sets the protocols?

-No federally established standards (private) 

-Most agencies have their own protocols and criteria 

What is a temperament test?  What does it involve?  

-Dogs are evaluated for at least 30 days 

-Tests involved body and noise sensitivity, and a retrieve test 

Is there a breed that is preferred for PSAs?

-Usually medium to large breeds that are low to medium energy

-Hybrid vigor – animals that have a genetic advantage over purebred animals 

Service Dog

-Control breeding, selection, training, and pairing 

-Trained with puppy raiser for 12-16 months 

-Completely trained when reaches handler 

Psychiatric Service Dog 

-Recipients train their own service dogs 

-Handler learns how to communicate with dog 

Why is the difference between PSDs and Service Dogs important?

Training process for PSD is necessary for the dog to have better alerting abilities and handler cues 

What is involved in assessing whether an animal is a good fit? 

-Ethical, safety and practical need 

-Interviews, references and home visits 

-Life circumstances (homelessness, etc) 

-Individual characteristics (ex. History of animal abuse, violence, etc) 

-Patient’s clinical status 

What are some life circumstances of a potential handler that would exclude them? 

-Homelessness 

-Unreliable access to transportation 

-Unsupportive partners 

-Unwilling to accept 24/7 partnership 

-Unable/unwilling to exercise dog 

-Lack of financial ability to support themselves and needs of dogs (including a private professional trainer) 

What are some individual characteristics of the handler that could exclude them? 

-Doesn’t like dogs 

-History of animal abuse 

-History of domestic violence perpetration 

-History of relinquishing numerous animals 

-Passivity or dependent personality 

-Unable to handle conformations without abusive volatility 

What are some things about a patient’s clinical status that could exclude him? 

-No diagnosis from a psychiatrist/doctor 

-Currently suicidal or within 3 months 

-Hospitalized for psychiatric reasons within 3 months 

-Not under the care of a mental health professional 

-Non-compliant with treatment plan 

-Low degree of insight 

-Can’t think clearly 

-Destructive or self-sabotaging responses 

What is involved in screening a client? 

-Detailed application including personal information 

-6 year future plan 

-References 

-Letter from primary physician 

-Home study 

-Phone interview 

Be able to answer and discuss what we discussed about the wounded warriors video. 

-Goal – help veterans get back into civilian life and deal with mental and physical issues 

-Audience – Veterans 

-Symptoms/problems of individuals – physical disabilities, PTSD, anxiety, seclusion, introverted, nightmares, intrusive memories, flashbacks, short temper, hypervigilance, loud noises 

-Psych theories applied – biophilia (veteran calmed by calm dog), social mediation (things in common, fun), social provisions (help people get out into environment), self efficacy (caring for dogs), performance accomplishment (go out in public and face fears) 

-AAA/AAI/AAT? – AAI (not assigned animals, progress not measured with goals) vets cared for and trained their own dogs 

How can interactions with animals have a positive effect on the elderly? 

-Lessen loneliness 

-Reduce physiological arousal 

-Improve psychosocial status  

-Improves health benefits (lower blood pressure and cortisol levels) 

What is allostatic load and how do AAI help? 

-Allostatic load – effects of repetitive trauma to the body over the years 

-AAI reduces stress levels which decreases allostatic load 

How do pets improve overall health in the elderly? 

-More exercise 

-Lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels (better vascular system) 

-Increased heart rate variability 

-Improve morale (reduced depression) 

What effect does AAI have on the elderly that are institutionalized? 

-Improved moods 

-Reduced loneliness 

-Reduced agitated behaviors 

-Decreased episodes of verbal aggression and anxiety 

-Increased social interactions with dementia patients 

What is meant by a living habitat and how does this help? 

-Plants and animals brought into nursing homes 

-Residents had increased cognitive status, more positive engagement, and increased nutritional intake (aquariums) 

Explain what is stressful about moving into a nursing home? 

Many mental health issues from relocating (sadness, anxiety, stress, depression, powerlessness, anger, betrayal, social withdrawal, decreased life satisfaction) 

How can AAI help with moving into nursing homes?

Helped patients have fun, give them something to do, and cheer them up 

What is meant by “aging” in place and why is this often impossible for the elderly? 

-Most aging people want to stay in their own homes with their own pets 

-Elderly start needing professional help to remain at home 

Explain what TigerPlace was and how it aimed at aiding people to age in place? 

-Aging in place project where residents didn’t need to relocate rooms even when advanced levels of care were needed 

-Had sensors to detect falls and monitoring devices for dementia patients 

-Staff monitored health and care needs and implemented treatment plans 

-Pets encourages (included a vet clinic within the building) 

Why was TIgerplace’s pet policy important? 

Allowed patients to have their own pets with them and not feel like they had to leave them behind when they moved – happier overall 

Explain the process/concerns for selecting a pet for the elderly? 

-Health and safety 

-Mobility issues 

-Strong/young dogs can overpower 

What are some of the considerations that are particular for the elderly? 

-Older dog 

-Obedience trained 

-Socialized 

-House broken 

What pets would make for ideal pets for the elderly and why? 

-Retired show dogs – have a good temperament 

-Service dogs that failed training – ¾ of the dogs fail the program but already have good temperament and are trained in basic commands 

Discuss some of the concerns/considerations in having a resident animal/pet live in a nursing home?

-Assume pet will outlive owner – make arrangements 

-Need to establish who will be in charge of the animal (usually a staff member where the dog will come to work with them) 

-Need to consider allergens 

-Need to properly groom animal 

-Cleared by vet – prevent zoonosis 

Be able to explain what we discussed about the HenMen project.  Be able to discuss what was the intent of this project, what the program has them do with these chickens, and how it helps them in their depression and isolation? 

Allowed nursing home residents to take care of hens, cook the eggs, do poultry-related projects, make school presentations, and raise the chicks. It allowed the residents to feel useful since they finally had something to care for (role theory) and brought them closer to the other residents that they otherwise would never talk to.  

What is meant by palliative care? What constitutes palliative care? 

-Therapy that focuses on decreasing pain and suffering 

-Not any specific therapy but AAI plays a major role 

Explain what personal pet can represent/mean to someone who is ill? 

-Represent a past relationship 

-Represent a time when the person was comfortable, happy, and healthy 

-Represent children or grandchildren 

-Represent some aspect of their personality or fear 

Explain what the results of the study done by McNicholas on breast cancer patients and their pets suggest? What kind of study is this? 

-Relationships have a positive relationship in coping treatment and bereavement 

-Epidemiological study – measures correlation  

Explain what the results of the study done by Muschel suggest? 

Contact with visiting dogs decreased anxiety and despair in terminally ill patients 

Explain what the results of the study by McCabe suggest? 

Long term presence of the dog boosted social behaviors of the patients and decreased their agitation 

Explain why the oncologist, Dr. Creegan, believes about patients with cancer and their pets? 

Helps create a balance between patients body and mind, and relieves some pain they have from cancer 

Explain the results of the studies of AAI in hospice hospitals and what they suggest? 

-Provided needed affection since patients were relaxed from touching and petting animals 

-Improved patient staff relationship 

-Enhanced moral 

Explain how AAT can relieve pain? 

Causes a relaxation response where sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) is decreased and parasympathetic nervous system (relax) is activated 

What is meant by hypnoanalgesia? 

Reduced pain since patients were relaxed and distracted from their pain sensations 

Explain how AAT is useful in hospice care? 

-Ideal option for providing comfort to patients who feel isolated 

-End of life patients are comforted 

-Dementia patients were grounded 

-Can help patients open up