Abstract
Canines remind us of our intuitive states, enhancing perceptions in our awareness. These perceptions have been documented anecdotally for years as our canine colleagues help us to reduce stress and establish trust with one another. Case studies regarding the intentionality of calmness as therapeutic tools have been documented. Highlighting the way our canines can mirror internal states guiding our awareness towards a more restful state of mind. The term Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) grew out of Dr. Levinson’s observations around his dog “Jingles” and the children he worked with. The reason’s he hypothesised, was that his dog created a safe environment which allowed in uncommunicative children breakthroughs to occur. Through his work in uncovering the potential impacts a canine can have in a therapeutic setting, clinicians and researchers alike became more aware of how this natural way of reaching people can evolve into differing frameworks within the counselling field today. AAT success lies in a subtle body language that canines are aware of that the therapist may miss and that the client is also unable to recognise as important or worthy of mention. This can then be explored in a timely manner uncovering an important issue that can be worked through. As therapists become more aware of how to utilise the natural elements a canine holds as a therapeutic tool within the counselling room more conclusive research validating its uses will be made available. Canines are able to become transitional objects within the therapy room creating space for genuine change to occur. A post- modernistic approach such as solution focused therapy comes from a place of curiosity and unknowingness much like the way a canine enters a therapeutic setting. Exploration of AAT and how its utilisation could look an SFT will be explored.
“Humanity is exalted not because we’re so far above living creatures but because knowing them well elevates the very concept of life” (Edward Osborne Wilson).
Our lives are enriched through our closeness with animals. They are part of our natural world, invited to live among us, encapsulating the very essence of nature in our homes. They remind us of where we have come from and mirror our humanity back to ourselves. We find unconditional positive regard in our interactions with animals, dogs especially. They increase our awareness of our inner and outer environment. Slowing us down so we’re able to look outside ourselves and to just notice.
This way of connecting with nature resonates in Wilson’s book titled Biophilia, as animals remind us where we came from, captivating our spirit which holds our “inborn human tendency… to have an interest in nature and animals coexisting with them (RHMSS, 2003 pg. 3). Our “need for positive interaction already exists in the basic behavioural patterns of many living organisms… philia- friendships and companionship. Rooted in our biology moves people to exert physical and psychic energies to unity in growth” (Odendaal, J.S.J 2000 pg. 276 & 278).
This natural positive regard has been utilised in helping profession; enriching the lives of people who are touched by the grace of this natural being. The home was once thought of to be the domain of the dog, however it was found that their uniqueness has potential to bring about change in a therapy room. Boris Levinson, founder of Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), legitimised idea that dogs can reconnect “humans to animals and nature and attempt to rehumanize them and as a means of assisting them in their own developmental process” (Mallon,1994 pg. 228). This animal connection makes it possible to dissolve barriers people have as protection from the subjectivity of others. Dogs provide a way of connecting to people in an innately objective and natural way. They present themselves unknowing and curious, which lends itself nicely to theoretical underpinnings that form Solution Focused Therapy, as they allow the person to lead the session.
The fundamental difference of Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) as opposed to Animal Assisted Activities (AAA) is that AAT is used in therapy as an intervention that has a specific goal for the client where AAA “improves clients quality of life to the human animal bond” (RHMSS 2003 pg. iii).
“Animal Assisted Activities cover wide range of activities that include volunteers visiting hospitals an age care facilities with their companion animals” (RHMSS 2003 pg. 5). AAT is used to provide a connection with clients using a trained canine and skilled therapist with a focus on the clients desired outcomes and therapy. (Winkle, M.Y., & Jackson, L.Z. 2012; Geist, T.S. 2010; Abrams L.; Parshall, D.P. 2003; RHMSS, 2003; Chandler, C.K. et als., 2010; Hower, D 2008; Pichot, T. 2012).
“People are generally better persuaded by the reasons which they had themselves discovered then by those which have come into the mind of others “(Blaise Pascal)
Solution focused therapy is a post-modernistic approach to counselling that was developed by Steve De Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg in the 1970’s. Solution Focus Therapy’s effectiveness works by unpacking constructs that may now have no use and/or to redefine how we perceive our world from a problem saturated story to a solution building story. It redefines what we knew about helping others as it strips away advice giving practises or expert advice. This allows a space for people to develop their own meanings of how they perceive their world. In turn, this helps to unravel predetermined constructs to evolve a preferred future, based on their ways of negotiating their meanings. Change is much more powerful when the person is in control of their navigation towards a solution. Therapist focus isn’t on why the client’s problem exists and how it is formed; instead, the focus is on what the client is doing when their problem isn’t as bad or not happening at all. This allows a space between the client and their problem, allowing for the change process to occur. “The emphasis in this approach is to focus on what is working in the clients’ lives, rather than what is not working” (Guterman, J.T. 2006 pg. 3 & 4). ”A main goal of solution focused therapy involves helping client shift from talking about problems to focusing on finding solutions. AAT offers many opportunities for clients to experience success that may be generalised to other life areas” (Chandler, C.K. 2012 pg. 159). These instances offer a way to experience a difference that interrupts a thought process which is invaluable at discovering exceptions. “It requires a different way thinking, a different language and a willingness to view the world differently” (Pichot, T. & Coulter, M. 2007 pg. 107).
Solution Focused Therapy and Animal Assisted Therapy together can unravel meanings in a way that evokes possibility of change. The specificity of the bond between human and dog may rest in our need to be close to nature as it has a calming effect on our emotions while providing a genuine outlet for true authenticity. Dogs do not have preconceived ideas of how you should act, be or think; they’re just curious to get to know you. In SFT the language is used to evoke the clients’ innate skills, finding solutions through the use of curious questioning. These two innovative ways of relating to others provide safety and comfort within the counselling setting as our clients’ story is revealed to us.
In Animal Assisted Brief Therapy, Terry Pichot talks about how relationships with animals instinctively occurs as meanings are made and understood nonverbally. Through the use of body language, dogs are able to calm and soothe the person with their presence or mimic the persons internal state, bringing what was just below awareness to the surface. This interaction occurs in a more natural way is it slows the process, allowing space for difference to occur. This fits in comfortably with Solution Focused approach to counselling as it gives the person space to experience something different, while honouring their ways of negotiating their meanings (Pichot, 2nd ed, 2012).
Dogs are linked to paradise they don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent to sit with a dog on a hillside on glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden where doing nothing was not boring it was peace (Milan Kundern).
The latest research shows us that the use of therapy dogs in a range of different therapeutic approaches from CBT to SFT therapies have positive outcomes for clients. This new understanding in the literature highlights that AAT is an effective tool that can be utilised in conjunction with our own theoretical frameworks to enhance the counselling environment.
While there is a lack of “unified theoretical foundations” (Geist, T.S. 2011 pg. 254), “difficulty in mythology” (Parshall, D.P. 2003 pg. 470). and “currently exist no practise standards as specifically apply to AAT in accounting field” (Chandler, C.K., 2012 pg. 33), AAT is working towards a framework that legitimises it as a therapeutic intervention worthy of serious consideration in the client’s treatment process (Geist, T.S. 2011). At the moment, the lack of a “unified theoretical framework creates a problem for professionals who realised the importance of AAT for therapeutic purposes but need scientific evaluation of its effectiveness for legitimising and funding of programme” (Geist T.S. 2011 pg. 244 – 245). There are many case studies providing the therapeutic benefits of the use of animals however they “lack the benefit of having been scientifically conducted. Although the amount of research is increasing, it is evident that more needs to be done in the way of outcome measurements before AAT can be considered a standard of care” (Parshall, D.P. 2003 pg. 50). In Chandlers’ paper she discussed how AAT can be used “with different theoretical orientations” which “would help interested counsellors conceptualise AAT from within their own theoretical frameworks. the power of the client- therapy animal relationship for promoting the therapeutic alliance is particularly notable when clients are unable or unwilling for a relationship with the human councillor” (Chandler, et als,2010 pg. 355 – 357).
When more therapist utilised this way of incorporating the natural way a dog relates to a person with the already positive effects of the therapeutic alliance; according to literature, counsellors should find more positive outcomes, greater de-escalation of heightened states, more client retention, mandated clients would be less resistant to change and not responsive children/adults would feel more at ease with the unknown environment.
After years of having a dog you know him you know the meaning of his snaps and grunts and barks every twitch of the ears is a question or statement every wag of the tail is an exclamation (Robert R. Cameron).
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