PET THERAPY

COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENTS

The course is divided into 8 lessons as follows:

1. Scope and Nature of Pet TherapyIntroduction to Pet Therapy

• Animal and Human Relationship
• Animal Assisted Therapy
• Animal Assisted Activities
• Animals Used in Pet Therapy
• Scientific Research Supporting Pet Therapy
• Tension and Stress
• Depression and Anxiety
• Touch, Affection and Compansionship
• Immune System Reponse and Pain Control
• Cancer Patients, Palliative Care and Heart Disease
• Healthier Lifestyles, Structure and Routine
• Benefits for Older People
• Pet Therapy and Children
• Negative Effects of Pet Therapy on People
• Negative Impacts on Pets and Animals
• Cultural Differences

2. Mental Health and Physical Assistance

• Pet Therapy Research and Mental Health Conditions Introduction
• Agitation and Cognitive Impairments
• Depression
• Schizophrenia
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Stress
• Human-Animal Interactions
• Bonding
• Warning and Protection
• Transport and Carriage
• Working Animals

3. Working with animals

• Introduction to working animals.
• Factors for Consideration
• Human Safety
• Client Possessive Behaviour and Bonding
• Animal Health and Welfare
• Animal Behaviour
• Resources and Legalities
• Animal Species
• Large, Medium and Small Animals
• Suitability to the Client
• Therapy Settings
• Preparing Clients and Animals for a Session

4. Applications for people with mental health conditions

• Mental Health Conditions
• Mood Disoders
• Anxiety
• Social Phobias
• Depression
• Developmental Disorders
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Austism Spectrum Disorder
• Austism Assistance Dogs
• The Stress Response
• Panic Attacks
• Other Animal Contributions to Mental Wellbeing (Pleasure, Motivation and Exercise)

5. Applications for people with disabilities

• Benefits of a Pet Therapy Program for People with Disabilities
• Service Assistance Animals
• Guide Dogs
• Hearing Dogs
• Seizure Alert Dogs
• Diabetic Alert Dogs
• Allergy Detection Dogs
• Mobility Assistance Dogs
• Physiotherapy Assistance Dogs
• Pet Therapy Dogs Summary

6. Applications for Children

• Pet Therapy and Children Introduction
• Difficulties of Pet Therapy with Children
• Developing Empathy
• The Benefits of Pet Therapy for Children
• Children with ADHD
• Children with Autism

7. Applications for Older People

• Introduction
• Specific Applications of Therapy for Elderly
• Grief and Loss
• Physical Activity
• Stress, Blood Pressure and Anxiety
• Cardiovascular Disease
• When The Owner Can No Longer Care for the Animal

8. Establishing a Pet Therapy Service

• Pet Therapy as a Business
• Planning Your Pet Therapy Service
• Which Animal is Most Suitable
• Client Group
• Timeline
• Marketing Your Services
• Data Protection and Privacy
• Veterinarians
• Other Services
• Free or Paid For Services
• Insurance
• Business Plan
• Buying an Existing Business
• Animal Welfare Considerations
• Remaining Competitive

COURSE AIMS

• Explain the nature of pet therapy and determine where it may be used as a therapeutic tool.
• Explain how pets can contribute to a person’s wellbeing as a companion or working animal.
• Determine how to work with animals effectively and appropriately in a therapeutic situation.
• Discuss ways in which pet therapy can be used for people with psychological conditions.
• Discuss ways in which pet therapy can be used for people with physical disabilities
• Discuss ways in which pet therapy can be used for children of different ages and circumstances.
• Discuss ways in which pet therapy can be used for older people in different circumstances.
• Plan the establishment and operation of a pet therapy service.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Explore the positive and negative effects pet ownership has on health.
• Find out about local animal assistance therapies or groups available in your local area.
• Gather information on the range of animal therapies which are used specifically in mental health care support.
• Observe a therapy session taking place.
• Research different ways that animals can benefit our health.
• Watch a dog being trained for therapy work.
• Using personal experiences, or those of someone you know, consider how animals can improve mental health.
• Investigate how a specific mental health disorder such as depression, anxiety or PTSD can benefit from pet therapy
• Talk to someone who has made use of pet therapy for physical disabilities and research how pet therapy is carried out, including how it benefits the person.
• Carry out research into pet therapy with older people. Talk to an older person or several older people who have experienced pet therapy and ask them to share their experiences.
• Prepare a plan for establishing a pet therapy service.
• Find out about the use of therapy assistance pets and animals in schools and education settings.