Animal Facilitated Therapy: the provision of service in english healthcare institutions

Abstract

In the last two decades companion animals have been introduced to institutions on both visiting and residential bases. These institutions comprise hospitals, nursing homes and day centres. The growing body of empirical research, anecdotal evidence, increased media and public interest and dedication from select charity groups has facilitated its incorporation. Whilst the practice of Animal Facilitated Therapy has become more common, actual growth and future demand for the service has not been measured in England. To provide a benchmark and to investigate quality and quantity of these programmes, a survey was made of NHS and Independent Healthcare facilities. The questionnaire comprised two sections, the first for institutions that used Animal Facilitated Therapy and the second for those that did not. Demographic information, programme protocols, species used and types of services were sampled, as well as attitudes and perceptions of animals in Healthcare facilities.
Questionnaires were sent to 1027 NHS hospitals and 207 Independent hospitals with return rates from 21% of NHS Institutions (n=218) and 18% of Independent Institutions (n=38). Responses showed a high usage of Animal Facilitated Therapy within NHS healthcare facilities (n=126), with a steady growth over the previous three years (1999-2001). Amongst respondents currently not using Animal Facilitated Therapy there was a positive interest for such service, with 64% of NHS respondents in this category stating that they would consider introducing programmes.
Much of the provision of Animal Facilitated Therapy, as indicated in the survey, is dependant on the enthusiasm of individuals rather than being under an organisational framework. This leaves programmes vulnerable to incidents or being discontinued due to staff turnover. Whilst not common, incidents had been experienced by respondent institutions such as ‘over boisterous’ or ‘noisy’ behaviour and, in one case, a dog bite had been sustained. Many such incidents could be prevented by appropriate animal selection / training and education of staff involved. It is proposed that Animal Assisted Therapy and Activity programmes would benefit from institutions taking greater responsibility for their implementation and regulation, through evaluations, protocols and more formal management strategies.

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