About PAT

Pet Assisted Therapy (PAT) is more and more being recognized world wide for the positive impact it can have in the lives of so many people, ranging from children, the elderly to people with disabilities.

PAT is the use of suitable pet animals to assist and help people improve the quality of their physical & emotional well-being e.g.

• chronic illness & disability
• depression
• role reversal & negative dependency
• loneliness & isolation
• helplessness & hopelessness
• low self esteem
• absence of humour
  

Medical research has shown that interaction with therapy dogs can:

• lowering of blood pressure
• reduction of stress
• decrease anxiety and depression
  
• lessen the feelings of loneliness and isolation
• increase of attention span of children with learning difficulties e.g autism. attention deficit hyperactive disorder
  
• developing more independence, confidence & mobility
• experiencing less pain in debilitating illness because contact with pets increase the flow of endorphin released by the brain. This is an intrinsic pain-killer
• facilitate socialization and acceptance between people

1) AAA (Animal Assisted Activities) is the casual “meet-and-greet” activity that involves pets visiting people. The same activity can be repeated with many people, unlike a therapy program that is tailored to a particular person or medical condition.

2) AAT (Animal Assisted Therapy) is a programme where a particular animal is tailored to a particular person. AAT usually is implemented by human service professional such as OT, Physiotherapy, Psychologist, etc, with specific goals for each client and the progress of each client shall be charted  

Our activities cover:

        1) Cognitive / communication / socialisation therapy

        a) Memory-talking about the past

        b) Provide stimulation, conversation and companionship

        c) Encourage clients to remember the names of the dogs, talk about themselves and the past

        d) Dressing up the therapy dog

        e) Flash card

        f) Memory card play
 

2) Motor / physical / sensory  therapy

        a) Throwing dumbbell or ball for a therapy dog to retrieve

        b) Swing one's arm with a toy for a therapy dog

        c) Reaching to touch therapy dog

        d) Bending from sitting to pet a therapy dog placed at one's feet

        e) Tying a bandanna on a dog

        f) Feeding treat to the therapy dog

        g) Walking exercise by walking the therapy dog

        h) Agility exercise , walking through a weaving poles

        i) Shaking hands with therapy dog

        j) Brushing and grooming the dog 

Video of HappyTails Volunteers at work @ Georgia Wellstar Kennestone Rehabilitation Center
http://www.webmd.com/content/pages/24/113178.htm

Atlanta HappyTails members at work
http://www.webmd.com/content/pages/24/113051.htm