• A study entitled "The Development and Validation of a Research Evaluation Instrument to Assess the Effectiveness of Animal-Assisted Therapy" was recently conducted among therapists and handlers in 4 western states administering AAT in order to plan, construct, evaluate and validate a new, functional evaluation tool for use in formal AAT sessions.  A panel of evaluators from the AAT field first reviewed the tool for content.  After the appropriate modifications were made a group of therapists and handlers piloted the tool in daily practice to assess the ease of use, reliability and validity of the new tool.  After implementation, this group proposed further modifications around user ability, content and formatting.  The requested improvements were integrated into the new evaluation instrument in hopes of producing a universal AAT guidance and evaluation tool that could be used on a much larger scale.  Hence, further research is still needed on this topic.  Results from this study found that users considered the tool a helpful guide and provided direction and focus during AAT.  Study findings also confirmed that AAT programs are providing a unique and quality service to those with chronic conditions and prolonged hospitalization.  Therapeutic effects were seen regardless of age, gender or diagnosis.  
  
• Click here to download the comprehensive study abstract, the AAT Guidance and Evaluation Tool Template.  If you are a facility or student conducting your own AAT research, or if you decide in the future to expand on this current study, we encourage you to share your findings with the Delta Society. 
  

Therapy Effectiveness Evaluation by Marilyn K. Lawrence, MS, RT(R), RCIS

• As animal lovers, we Delta Society members experience first hand the phenomenal impact human-animal interaction has on the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional aspects of the people we visit. Few evaluation tools exist for health care professionals to use in the attempt to measure the effectiveness of Animal-Assisted Therapy. The Animal-Assisted Therapy: Therapy Effectiveness Evaluation (Revised Edition) manual is a newly developed tool that guides the health care professional step-by-step through the evaluation process. The manual consists of several chapters starting with the pre-therapy client assessment, setting client goals, assessment during the course of therapy, post-therapy assessment, and lastly, formulas that allow one to quantitatively measure the effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy.
  
• A documented pilot study (funded by a Delta Society grant) and utilizing Florida Gulf Coast Pet Partners Ò, was conducted on the original version of this manual to study the validity of the manual content. The testers unanimously agreed the content was indeed valid and slight revisions for ease of use resulted in the Revised Edition.
  
• The Animal-Assisted Therapy: Therapy Effectiveness Evaluation (Revised Edition) manual is available in CD format for $20 (price includes shipping & handling). Inquiries may be sent to mklaw@earthlink.net.

Delta Society Resources

Other Resources

• Animal-Assisted Therapy Bibliography - Many articles have been published about animal-assisted activities and therapy (AAA/T).

• Draft Guidline for Environmental Infection Control in Healthcare Facilities

• Bibliography of Resources Available from Online Business Partners