Animal Assisted Therapy
Animal Assisted Therapy (“AAT”) is a specific therapy approach that Krista Martin, LISW-CP (“Krista”) may utilize. Both Krista and her therapy animals have received additional training and certification to incorporate AAT into psychotherapy. Krista and her therapy dogs (“TD”) have fulfilled the requirements (or are in the process of fulfilling the requirements for dogs noted as “in training”) to have them certified as a Therapy Dog Teams through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. Krista has completed the Postgraduate Veterinary Social Work Certificate Program through the University of Tennessee Knoxville and has completed her Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist Certification (C-AAIS).
AAT, when appropriate, is used in conjunction with other therapy methods. Additional information regarding Krista's training and areas of expertise may be found here.
Risks & Benefits
There are many benefits associated with AAT. Some benefits that have been found in AAT include (Koukourikos et al, 2019):
AAT may provide emotional support, a sense of security, and stress relief.
AAT can promote relaxation. Research has demonstrated that contact with an animal can help lower blood pressure, heart rate, and increase feelings of calm.
AAT may contribute to increasing self-worth and self-care skills.
AAT may cultivate and improve social skills.
Even though there are many benefits to working with therapy animals in training and to AAT, there are risks involved in utilizing this method of therapy. For example: dogs in particular may nibble, accidentally scratch, lick, lean up against a client, and/or cause light bruising. These actions are not aggression but rather the dog’s way of interacting with the client. In addition, if the client is allergic to dogs or is unaware of an allergy, the client may suffer from an allergic reaction.
Assessment
Working with a TD may not be appropriate for each client or at every session. Use of AAT will be determined on a case-by-case basis. In the following circumstances, working with TD will not be used or will cease:
If the client has a history of animal abuse/cruelty, or there are other risk factors that indicate potential harm to an animal.
If the client has a known allergy to dogs or an unknown allergy becomes known. The client shall inform Krista of any and all known allergies. Dogs may be at Krista’s office every day. Although a specific client may not be interacting with the dogs, they will still be present in Krista’s office.
If the client exhibits problematic behavior toward TD in Krista’s sole discretion.
Animals have individual rights. TD are allowed to determine if and when they participate with others. While it may be planned to have TD in session, they will never be forced to do so.
Interactions
Dogs interact with humans differently than when humans interact with each other. Dogs wag their tails, lick people, may lean up against a person’s leg, or lay near a client. This is how Krista’s TD interact with humans. If the client is uneasy or otherwise uncomfortable with how the dogs interact with him/her, client agrees to express those concerns immediately to Krista.
Clients are welcome to interact with TD by asking to pet them, giving treats for waiting or other trained commands, and playing with them. If you prefer TD be out of reach during sessions, please let Krista know and she will accommodate this request.
Conduct Toward Dogs:
Just like a human being, TD should be treated with respect and kindness. If TD are sick or injured they will not actively be participating; however, therapy services will continue.
Krista is required to look out for the general welfare and safety of TD. If at any time they become irritated, frightened, distressed, or in any way exhibit a negative and/or aggressive behavior, TD will take a break. If this occurs, only Krista may interact with TD until in Krista’s sole and absolute discretion they are able to return to the session.
Any and all fear, trepidation, and/or anxiety towards dogs must be disclosed to Krista prior to engaging in interactions with TD.
TD may only participate in therapy when Krista is present. No other mental health professional may conduct a session with Krista’s TD.
No other animals may be present during interactions.
There is a designated space in Krista’s office for TD. This is their space where they can rest, sleep, or take a break without interruption or intrusion. Clients are not allowed in this space.
Client agrees to avoid any and all contact with TD urine, stool, and/or blood.
Zoonotic Disease & Sanitation
Every effort will be made to ensure against zoonotic disease transmission (i.e. the sharing of disease between humans and animals). All TD will remain current on all standard vaccinations, such as rabies; however, there is always a risk of the transmission of a disease when working with animals. A client may request to review a list of vaccinations.
Krista will have at her office hand sanitizer that the client may use before and after interacting with TD.
