Natalie Reap

RecTherapy Modalities Activity #3

Activity Title: Contact with Animals 

Sources:  

Heerema, E. (2020, February 07). How does pet therapy benefit people with dementia? 
Retrieved April 10, 2021, from 
https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-does-pet-therapy-benefit-people-with-de
mentia-98677 

The benefits of Therapy animals for SENIORS: ASC Blog. (2017, August 28). Retrieved 
April 9, 2021, from https://www.asccare.com/benefits-therapy-animals-seniors/ 

Pet therapy for dementia: Asc blog. (2018, August 09). Retrieved April 9, 2021, from 
https://www.asccare.com/pet-therapy-for-dementia/ 

Lai, N. M., Chang, S., Ng, S. S., Stanaway, F., Tan, S. L., & Chaiyakunapruk, N. (2019). 
Animal‐assisted therapy for dementia. The Cochrane Database of Systematic 
Reviews, 2019(1), CD013243. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013243 

A beginner's guide To Animal-Assisted Intervention terminology. (n.d.). Retrieved April 

11, 2021, from 
https://petpartners.org/blog/a-beginners-guide-to-animal-assisted-intervention-
terminology/#:~:text=Animal%2DAssisted%20Interventions%20(AAI)&text=Ani
mal%2Dassisted%20therapy%20(AAT),forms%20of%20animal%2Dassisted%20i
nterventions. 

Equipment Needed:  

● An animal or a pet 
● A safe and comfortable environment 
● Animal-assisted therapy facilitator (if required) 

Activity Description:  

Playing with animals is an activity that is done but many different people to 
achieve therapeutic goals. There aren’t many restrictions or rules when it comes to this 
activity, besides, make sure both the animal and the participant are having a positive 
interaction. Playing, or just simply being in the company of an animal can lead to the 
completion of therapeutic goals. Something important to note is that there are a lot of 
freedoms and variations in what this type of activity may look like. 

1. Find a safe and comfortable environment where both the participant and the 
animal can be together 
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a. Group setting, or non-group setting 

2. Introduce the participant to the animal they will be in contact with, as well as 
any facilitators 
3. Participant and animal interaction (LOTS OF FREEDOM HERE) 
a. Contact with animal 
i. Petting and stroking 
ii. Playing with the animals by utilizing toys or games 
iii. Training that can include commands and treats 
b. Caring for the animal  
i. Maintaining owning a pet 
ii. Giving the animal food and water 
iii. Bathing and grooming the animal 
c. Companionship 
i. Existing with in the same room 
ii. Creating an emotional bond 

Activity Analysis:  

The primary interaction pattern for this activity is aggregate interaction 

because the participant is interacting with just the animal (object). This could also refer 
to a participant interacting with many different objects beyond the animal if the 
participant is also engaged in another activity (i.e. painting, eating, playing a board 
game). This is just the starting point of the many different variations and options that 
are possible when facilitating an activity involving an animal. Intra-group is also 
common when looking at activities that involve contact with animals because, group 
activities centered on one, or multiple, animals are also common. 

Adaptations: 

The specific adaptation that is great for contact with animals is the 
incorporation of animal-assisted therapy (AAT). AAT is a more structured form of 
having contact with animals that focuses on reaching the therapeutic goals of 
participants. I considered AAT to be an adaptation because I think it is a more 
purposeful way to interact with animals that does differ slightly from normal 
interactions with an animal. AAT can involve animals who have the training to assist 
with specific tasks, such as service animals and therapy pets. The identified participant 
is a 75-year-old woman who is diagnosed with early-onset dementia. I chose an 
activity involving animals for this participant because AAT has been found to improve 
mood and social interaction within those who engaged in it. Deterioration of social 
function is a major symptom that can come from dementia, therefore the use of 
animals is a therapeutic way that could help minimize the negative effects that may 
result. Contact with animals may also have positive effects on things such as easing 
loneliness and depression, increasing physical activity, and reducing stress. Our 
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participant also has early-onset dementia, she may not have developed severe 
symptoms yet, so utilizing AAT could help slow down the deterioration of cognition and 
memory, deterioration of motor function, and changes in personality. We may not be 
able to stop the development of these things, but we may be able to allow the 
participant to hold onto the cognitive functions in their brain by continuing to exercise 
certain areas of her brain.