Animal-assisted therapy in the process of physical and mental rehabilitation of patients with disabilities

Background: Animal-assisted therapy is the use of animals in the therapeutic environment for the healing and rehabilitation of the patient. This intervention is still not widespread; however, clinical practice shows the great and positive impacts that this treatment promotes in the process of physical and mental rehabilitation of patients with disabilities.

Objective: The main objective of this paper is to show how animals can be used in the therapeutic environment to promote the physical and mental rehabilitation of patients with disabilities.

Methods: For this study the ''systematic literature review'' method was used by means of carrying out retrospective observation of articles and studies or experimental studies of recovery and critical analysis of the literature.

Results: In order to talk about TAA (animal-assisted therapy), a trained multidisciplinary team is needed, so that each one in his/her specialty may contribute to the success of such a complex relationship that involves the animal, the therapist and the human patient). It is also important that a veterinarian is part of the team to manage the animal's behavior, knowing how to intervene in case any adverse situation occurs. It is possible to establish a great affective bond between the patient and the animal, making the intervention more effective and reaching the goals programmed by the professionals involved in the treatment. Animals may improve cognitive ability, balance, and motor coordination through stimuli (sensory, motor or affective) besides being part of several other activities that encompass the assisted person.

Conclusions: Animal-assisted therapy can be very beneficial for people of all ages, whether an elderly person or a child. Several patients – carriers of various diseases – can achieve great improvement with such kind of intervention. Patients with Alzheimer's disease; the emotionally and mentally ill; developmentally delayed children and adults; and children with Down's syndrome, cerebral palsy, brain damage and learning disabilities, all these diseases may improve potentially with the help of animal therapists. However, it is important to point out that it is necessary a specialized professional in the training of this kind of animal and in the training of other therapists involved in the treatment.

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

Publication History

Article published online:
18 September 2023