Animal as Assistance to Disabled
ANIMAL AS ASSISTANCE TO DISABLED
___________
A Library Research
Presented to
Dr. Ronnie D. Soriano
Associate Professor
Language and Literature Studies Department
Ateneo de Naga University
___________
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Mid-term Requirements in
English 2: Writing in the Discipline
By
Rosemarie M. Avila
N7
February 2013
The companion relationship notion that animals enhance the lives of disable individual has become a widespread belief, since handicapped person have special needs and often require some assistance to perform their daily routine. Thus, the independent living for disabled people has become more feasible and more desirable. In addition, a handicapped person can enjoy the sense of freedom with the help of animals.
However, two recent papers presented meta-analysis of animal-assisted therapy. One found effects for autism-spectrum symptoms, medical difficulties, behavioral problems, and emotional well-beings (Nimer and Lundahl, 2007). The second study by Souter and Miller say that specifically examined effects on reducing depressive symptoms and found that animal-assisted activities and therapy were associated with fewer depressive symptoms (Souter and Miller, 2007).
In their study about the role of pets in alleviating physical illness, Katcher, and Beck (1996) studied the relationship between people and their pets. They found that pet owners humanize their pets, and this humanization affects one 's sense of self-esteem and health. Almost all pet owners talked to their pets, but it was found that 94% talked to them as if they were people. This relationship had health implications. The mere presence of the animal had a beneficial effect on heart function, and stroking and talking to a pet reduced blood pressure and stress. A study by the US Dept.( Hart, 2006) of Public Health concluded that pets increased the survival rate of heart attack victims. Only 3 out of 53 heart patients (or
___________
A Library Research
Presented to
Dr. Ronnie D. Soriano
Associate Professor
Language and Literature Studies Department
Ateneo de Naga University
___________
In Partial Fulfillment of the
Mid-term Requirements in
English 2: Writing in the Discipline
By
Rosemarie M. Avila
N7
February 2013
The companion relationship notion that animals enhance the lives of disable individual has become a widespread belief, since handicapped person have special needs and often require some assistance to perform their daily routine. Thus, the independent living for disabled people has become more feasible and more desirable. In addition, a handicapped person can enjoy the sense of freedom with the help of animals.
However, two recent papers presented meta-analysis of animal-assisted therapy. One found effects for autism-spectrum symptoms, medical difficulties, behavioral problems, and emotional well-beings (Nimer and Lundahl, 2007). The second study by Souter and Miller say that specifically examined effects on reducing depressive symptoms and found that animal-assisted activities and therapy were associated with fewer depressive symptoms (Souter and Miller, 2007).
In their study about the role of pets in alleviating physical illness, Katcher, and Beck (1996) studied the relationship between people and their pets. They found that pet owners humanize their pets, and this humanization affects one 's sense of self-esteem and health. Almost all pet owners talked to their pets, but it was found that 94% talked to them as if they were people. This relationship had health implications. The mere presence of the animal had a beneficial effect on heart function, and stroking and talking to a pet reduced blood pressure and stress. A study by the US Dept.( Hart, 2006) of Public Health concluded that pets increased the survival rate of heart attack victims. Only 3 out of 53 heart patients (or
Cited: Beck, Alan M. and Aaron Katcher (1996), Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship, West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press. ... www.amsreview.org/articles/holbrook/REFS.HTM Eames, E. and T. Eames (1996). Veterinarians, disabled clients, and assistance dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 209(8): 1398-1402, ISSN: 0003-1488. Hart, L. A. 2006. Community context and psychosocial benefits of animal companionship. In: Handbook on Animal-Assisted Therapy: Theoretical Foundations and Guidelines for Practice, 2nd ed. (A. Fine, ed.), pp. 73-94. Amsterdam: Elsevier. Nimer, J., and Lundahl, B. 2007. Animal-assisted therapy: A meta-analysis. Anthrozoos 20, 225- 238. Souter, M. A., and Miller, M. D. 2007. Do animal-assisted activities effectively treat depression: A meta-analysis. Anthrozoos 20, 167-180